Political Science News and Events
Thompson discusses local congressional races with CNY Central
"There is always higher turnout in a presidential election year, but what that will mean in any given district is less clear," says Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science.
See related: Congress, New York State, State & Local, U.S. Elections
Reeher speaks to the Independent about 2020 US political conventions
"The conventions this year might actually be more important than in relatively recent years past since the campaigns are very constrained in what they can do in person," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. "Those in-person events would normally drive a lot of the media coverage in the last few months of the campaign. But that is only if people watch the conventions."
See related: Political Parties, U.S. Elections, United States
Gadarian featured in Deseret News article on unmasked politicians
"The biggest risk" with Republicans following best public health practices and wearing masks, "is that the president will pick you out for ridicule, or if you had someone running against you, the president would endorse that person," says Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science.
See related: COVID-19, Political Parties, United States
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From Politics to the Pews: How Partisanship and the Political Landscape Shape Religious Identity
Eggers Hall, 220 (Strasser Legacy Room)
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Michele Margolis is an associate professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. She studies public opinion, political psychology, and religion and politics. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and appeared in numerous outlets, including: American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Public Opinion Quarterly, Political Behavior, Politics & Religion. Her book, "From Politics to the Pews" (University of Chicago Press, 2018), won the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.
Margolis will present "From Politics to the Pews: How Partisanship and the Political Landscape Shape Religious Identity."
One of the most substantial divides in American politics is the “God gap.” Religious voters tend to identify with and support the Republican Party, while secular voters generally support the Democratic Party. Conventional wisdom suggests that religious differences between Republicans and Democrats have produced this gap, with voters sorting themselves into the party that best represents their religious views.
This talk challenges the conventional wisdom, arguing that the relationship between religion and politics is far from a one-way street that starts in the church and ends at the ballot box. Instead, political identity has a profound effect on social identity, including religion. Whether a person chooses to identify as religious and the extent of their involvement in a religious community are, in part, a response to political surroundings. In today’s climate of political polarization, partisan actors also help reinforce the relationship between religion and politics, as Democratic and Republican elites stake out divergent positions on moral issues and use religious faith to varying degrees when reaching out to voters.
This event is part of a series of discussions hosted by the Hicker Family Professor in Renewing Democratic Community to promote civil discourse and mutual understanding. Michele will take the stage with Chris Faricy, associate professor of political science and the inaugural Hicker Family Professor in Renewing Democratic Community.
Category
Social Science and Public Policy
Type
Talks
Region
Open to
Public
Organizer
Maxwell Dean's Office
Accessibility
Contact Bethany Walawender to request accommodations