Decision-making on science – especially emerging technologies such as nanotechnology – must become more democratic, a new report on science policy released today argues. The group of leading European academics behind the 'Reconfiguring Responsibility' report argue forcefully that current governance activities are limiting public debate and may repeat mistakes made in managing GM.

A University of Alberta study has looked into public opinion on one of the most contentious political topics in Alberta’s history, namely the two waves of welfare reform initiated by the Conservative government from the mid-90s onward.

A new opinion poll shows that the governing centre-right coalition government is clawing back at the opinion poll lead currently held by the opposition Social Democrat, Left and Green parties.

China's State Council, the country's Cabinet, will make use of the Internet as a standard method of inviting public opinion on draft laws and regulations.

Whether people are making financial decisions in the stock market or worrying about terrorism, they are likely to be influenced by what others think. And, according to a new study in this month's Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA), repeated exposure to one person's viewpoint can have almost as much influence as exposure to shared opinions from multiple people.