Maxwell School News and Commentary
Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century
Ryan Griffiths, professor of political science, has co-written a new book, Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century (Columbia University Press, 2025). The book, written with Charles R. Butcher, challenges the Eurocentric view of the world by offering a comparative analysis of non-Western state systems in the 19th century, supported by an original dataset.
See related: Government, Political Parties, United States
Do Small Towns Have Big Smart City Dreams?
The article, co-authored by Austin Zwick, associate teaching professor of policy studies, was published in State and Local Government Review.
See related: Canada, Rural Issues, State & Local, Urban Issues
In Memoriam: Deborah Pellow
See related: In Memoriam
Taylor Weighs In on Trump’s Approach to Aiding Ukraine in Newsweek Article
“The good news for Ukraine is that...Trump has finally figured out that Putin is the main obstacle to peace,” says Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
See related: Federal, International Affairs, U.S. Foreign Policy, Ukraine, United States
Chris Mihm Recognized for Fostering ‘Excellence in Public Service for the Next Generation’
The Maxwell School adjunct professor and longtime public servant has been honored by the New York State Academy of Public Administration.
See related: Awards & Honors
How News Coverage of Misinformation Shapes Perceptions and Trust
Emily Thorson, associate professor of political science, has published How News Coverage of Misinformation Shapes Perceptions and Trust (Cambridge University Press, 2024). The book analyzes how the media addresses the issue of misinformation and how such coverage shapes public perception and trust.
See related: Federal, Media & Journalism, State & Local, United States
Kmush Quoted in HuffPost Article on Measles Cases Potentially Costing the US Its Elimination Status
“It could affect U.S. citizens’ ability to travel to specific countries if they don’t want the risk of measles getting introduced to their country. It could affect other people’s ability to come visit the U.S. Other countries might require proof of measles vaccination before they can reenter their home country,” says Brittany Kmush, associate professor of public health.
See related: Federal, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Mitra Speaks With the Washington Post About Top Trump Officials Having Multiple Jobs
“It is always a bad idea to burden someone with multiple jobs, especially when at least one of those jobs is extremely important,” says Devashish Mitra, professor of economics.
See related: Federal, United States
Sultana Article on Democracy in Bangladesh, Anniversary of July Revolution Published on Counterpoint
“One year after the July Revolution, the memory of brave young lives lost continues to light the path toward a just, democratic, and united Bangladesh,” says Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment.
See related: Conflict, Government, International Affairs, South Asia
Will Work For Food: Labor across the Food Chain
Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, associate professor of geography and the environment, has co-written a new book, Will Work For Food: Labor across the Food Chain (University of California Press, 2025). Minkoff-Zern and co-author Teresa Mares explore the often-overlooked role of labor in the food system, highlighting the exploitation faced by frontline workers from farms to restaurants.
See related: Agriculture, Federal, Labor, Rural Issues, United States