Political Science News

Reeher comments on political polarization, coronavirus in The Hill

Professor Grant Reeher says that while the primary focus needs to be on the human cost of the crisis, "it is in fact a very good natural experiment to answer the question of how deep our polarization goes — and the answer is, very damn deep." He was interviewed for The Hill article "The Memo: Political trench warfare colors views on coronavirus."

Gueorguiev study on mass-elite relations in China, Vietnam published

"Collective Charisma: Elite-Mass Relations in China and Vietnam," co-authored by Dimitar Gueorguiev, was published in Problems of Post-Communism. Comparing China and Vietnam, the authors show how variations in recruitment, vetting, and rotations lead to predictable patterns in party-building and public relations strategies of rising politicians.

NY Times article on Covid-19 includes NSF-funded Gadarian research

"The divide in anxiety along partisan lines is very troubling," says Shana Gadarian. Her research concerning the politics of the early COVID-19 pandemic, funded by a $53,040 grant from the National Science Foundation, was cited in the New York Times article "Covid-19 Is Twisting 2020 Beyond All."

Gadarian discusses Anxious Politics with the Niskanen Center

Shana Gadarian was recently a guest on the Niskanen Center's podcast The Science of Politics. Gadarian, along with Bethany Albertson of the University of Texas, discussed their book Anxious Politics: Democratic Citizenship in a Threatening World, and how it can help explain the current public health crisis.

Reeher discusses the economic stimulus plan with SBG

"It demonstrates to the American public that the federal government is taking a very proactive and very strong approach toward trying to shore up the economy and the economic pain that’s coming from this," says Professor Grant Reeher. He was interviewed for the Sinclair Broadcast Group article "As unemployment claims rise, some question if stimulus plan will do enough."

Gueorguiev, McDowell study impact of economic threats on public views

"The Impact of Economic Coercion on Public Opinion: The Case of US–China Currency Relations," co-authored by Dimitar Gueorguiev and Daniel McDowell, was published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution. The authors suggest that economic coercion can reduce support for policy change because it leads individuals to update their beliefs about who wins and loses from economic policy changes.

McDowell discusses the economic policy response to coronavirus in WPR

Daniel McDowell's latest piece in World Politics Review, "What It Will Take to Save Economies From the Coronavirus Pandemic," focuses on the need for swift, large and sustainable economic programs. "Economic responses to the coronavirus need to be structured with a view toward sustainability. The longer the pandemic lasts, the more difficult things will get," he writes.

Gadarian piece on anxiety and trust in experts published in Wash Post

In the article "This is who Americans trust about coronavirus information," published in the Washington Post, Shana Gadarian and co-author Bethany Albertson refer to their research on how political anxiety affects learning, trust and policy support in various situations, including public health crises. The authors found that people who are anxious about health usually put their trust in experts.

Reeher weighs in on Trump's tone during current crisis in the Hill

"It’s really a tale of two Trumps," says Professor Grant Reeher. "In the last two weeks, there are moments when he has sounded more ‘presidential’ than I have ever heard him. At the same time, he will revert to the old Trump. It’s hard to make sense of those things." Reeher was interviewed for the Hill article "The Memo: Trump tests limits of fiery attacks during crisis."

McDowell explains the Fed's emergency measures in the Washington Post

In the article "The Fed’s using all its emergency tools to prevent economic disaster. Here are 4 things to know," published in the Washington Post, Daniel McDowell and his co-authors explain the Federal Reserve's response to the pandemic.

Reeher weighs in on coronavirus communications in Newsday

"A lot of the tone is what I expect — which is, don’t panic," says Professor Grant Reeher. "And we shouldn’t panic. But if it’s constant updates and endless press conferences with nothing new but an updated number, it doesn’t help." Reeher was interviewed for the Newsday article "Coronavirus conundrum: How much information is too much?"

McDowell study on fiscal sanctions, international currency published

Daniel McDowell's article "Financial sanctions and political risk in the international currency system," was published in Review of International Political Economy. McDowell considers how U.S. financial sanctions generate political risk concerns that reduce the dollar's attractiveness as an international currency. The study suggests that policymakers should carefully weigh the downsides of sanctions as a foreign policy tool.

Barkun weighs in on irrational fears of coronavirus in Foreign Policy

Michael Barkun, professor emeritus of political science, was interviewed for the Foreign Policy article "Why Are We So Scared of the Coronavirus?" Barkun says the unseen, mysterious nature of coronavirus makes it especially scary—and especially ripe for all kinds of imagined explanations and antidotes.

Griffiths paper on secessionist strategy and tactics published in JGSS

In his article "Secessionist Strategy and Tactical Variation in the Pursuit of Independence," published in the Journal of Global Security Studies, Ryan Griffiths constructs a theoretical framework to clarify the behavior of diverse secessionist movements and accurately predict the tactics they adopt.

Gadarian discusses the Democratic primaries on WAER

Shana Gadarian tells WAER that it’s still early to declare an official front-runner. "It's [Super Tuesday] a really big part of the process; it doesn't mean the process is over. No one has a majority [of delegates] now; there are still a lot of states to go," she says. Gadarian was interviewed for the segment titled "Two CNY Political Science Professors Weigh in on Super Tuesday, New York's Role in Primaries."

McDowell piece on dollar's central role in global payments published

"Payments Power: The Overlooked Role of the Dollar as the Top International Payments Currency," written by Daniel McDowell and included in the article "Global Monetary Order and the Liberal Order Debate," was published in International Studies Perspectives. McDowell considers the role of the US dollar as the top international payments currency and how dominance in this arena is an important power resource for the United States.

Thorson quoted in Scientific American article on fake news, elections

During the 2016 election cycle, certain Web sites spread false information across the Internet. But a new study suggests they did not have as much impact as some have feared. Emily Thorson says she is not surprised by the results of the study. A single piece of information rarely changes anyone’s opinion, "whether it’s true-or false," she says. Thorson was interviewed for the Scientific American article "'Fake News' Web Sites May Not Have a Major Effect on Elections."

Weschle paper on interparty interactions, voter perception published

"Elite Interactions and Voters’ Perceptions of Parties’ Policy Positions," co-authored by Simon Weschle, was published in the American Journal of Political Science. The authors found that "voters infer greater left–right agreement between pairs of parties that have more cooperative public relationships, but that this 'cooperation effect' is only evident near the times of national elections."

Reeher comments on 2020 NY presidential primary in Daily Star

Professor Grant Reeher was interviewed for the Daily Star article "Democrats take sides as New York primary looms." Reeher likens the 2020 Democratic primary to the 2016 GOP primary when several rivals of then-candidate Donald Trump kept their campaigns alive for as long as possible in hopes of stopping the eventual nominee's rise.

Brown and Hermann publish a study on transnational crime

In their new book, Transnational Crime and Black Spots: Rethinking Sovereignty and the Global Economy, published by Palgrave MacMillan, Maxwell School faculty members Stuart Brown and Margaret Hermann examine 80 safe havens across the globe from which transnational criminal, insurgent, and terrorist organizations operate — areas they term “black spots.”

Elizabeth Cohen discusses new book on Blog Talk Radio

Elizabeth Cohen was recently a guest on Blog Talk Radio to discuss her new book, Illegal: How America's Lawless Immigration Regime Threatens Us All. Cohen provides the full scope of the issue starting in the days just after 9/11, examining how the panic of the time gave way to the creation of a complex and unmonitored infrastructure that the Trump administration has unleashed without recourse.

Reeher discusses the New Hampshire primary in the Hill

The result will affect "momentum and perceptions of momentum," says Professor Grant Reeher. "The general phenomenon is one where primary voters are wanting to make decisions among the candidates that are the viable ones." Reeher was interviewed for the Hill article "The Memo: New Hampshire spells danger for struggling candidates."

Taylor discusses Putin and Russia's future on BYUradio

Russian President Vladimir Putin has four years left in office before term limits will force him to leave the role. But he’s already begun maneuvering to rewrite the rules so he can remain Russia’s most powerful leader. Brian Taylor, author of The Code of Putinism, recently spoke with BYUradio about why the Russian leader behaves as he does and what that’s meant for Russia during his 20 years in power.

Jolly study on representation gaps in European politics published

"Multidimensional incongruence, political disaffection, and support for anti-establishment parties," co-authored by Seth Jolly, was published in the Journal of European Public Policy. The authors found that multidimensional incongruence is associated with disaffection at the national and European level, and that disaffected mainstream party voters are in turn more likely to consider voting for anti-establishment challenger parties.

Reeher quoted in Modern Healthcare article on political contributions

"One of the main lenses to look at political contributions is as investments. That often leads to big investors hedging their bets, which they often do," says Professor Grant Reeher. He was interviewed for the Modern Healthcare article "Hospital, insurance execs prefer moderate Dems in early campaign giving."

Jackson paper on black women’s self-making published in Public Culture

"Private Selves as Public Property: Black Women’s Self-Making in the Contemporary Moment," written by Jenn Jackson, was published in Public Culture. Jackson draws on the autobiographical works of Black enslaved, postbellum, queer, and transgender contemporaries to show how Black women have resisted the fungibility of their bodies through processes of self-formation and self-reclamation.

Cohen critiques U.S. immigration enforcement agencies in new book

Elizabeth F. Cohen, professor of political science, has written Illegal: How America’s Lawless Immigration Regime Threatens Us All, recently published by Basic Books. In the book, Cohen assesses a long history of nativism and anti-immigrant antagonism that she describes as driving forces in U.S. immigration policy, and which began to reemerge during the 1980s.

Reeher quoted in Daily Star story on adding national motto to NYS flag

In his recent State of the State speech, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed adding the national motto, "e pluribus unum," to New York's state flag. Professor Grant Reeher says the proposal "appears to be driven by a desire to react to the president." He was interviewed for the Daily Star article "Cuomo proposes adding national motto to state flag."

Taylor quoted in Wash Post article on Putin's post-presidency plans

"Since Putin cannot remain as president after 2024 under the current rules, he needs to change the rules. This will potentially allow him to remain the dominant political actor even if he leaves the presidency," says Professor Brian Taylor. He was interviewed for the Washington Post article "Putin’s plans post-presidency could see him wielding influence for life."

Reeher weighs in on Sanders-Warren fight in the Hill

"I don’t think the conflict between Warren and Sanders will help Biden, at least of the face of it," says Professor Grant Reeher. "The two of them are struggling for the same general bloc of Democratic voters, and Biden is offering an alternative to both of them..." Reeher was interviewed for the Hill article "Biden could be winner in Warren-Sanders fight."

Keck explains role of chief justice in impeachment trial in Al Jazeera

"Impeachment of a US president is an unusual circumstance," says Professor Tom Keck. "(The chief justice) is there to oversee a trial, which is something that should be well within his comfort zone. But it's a trial conducted by elected partisan officials. It's not a court, the US Senate." Keck was interviewed for the Al Jazeera article "US impeachment trial: What role will Chief Justice Roberts play?"

Taylor weighs in on Putin's constitutional reforms in Vox article

"He’s leaving the presidency, but he’s almost certainly going to take some other position and try and stay on," Professor Brian Taylor says of Putin. "But we still don’t know what this position is, or when this is going to happen." Taylor was interviewed for the Vox article "The Russian government’s dramatic shake-up, briefly explained."

Maxwell faculty co-edit new book on intractable conflicts

Three Maxwell faculty members, Miriam Elman, Catherine Gerard, and Louis Kriesberg, and their colleague Galia Golan at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have co-edited Overcoming Intractable Conflicts: New Approaches to Constructive Transformations, recently published by Rowman & Littlefield.

Reeher speaks to US News about 2020 elections in NY State

Professor Grant Reeher was interviewed for the U.S. News & World Report article "Capitol Watch: Democrats Hope to Keep New York Blue in 2020." "It solidifes their majority, and puts in place this idea that New York is just blue, full stop," says Reeher. "And it seems like it's going to be really tough for Republicans to make a real run at the governor's seat, given what we've seen in recent elections."

Zoli speaks to local media about the death of Qassam Soleimani

According to Corri Zoli, research assistant professor of political science and counterterrorism expert, the death of Soleimani is perhaps more significant than the targeting of bin Laden and al Baghdadi. While those were household names, Zoli says Soleimani had even greater military reach throughout the region. Zoli was interviewed by several local media outlets regarding the death of Qassam Soleimani.

Reeher op-ed on new VPPCE program published in USA Today

"What immediately struck me and stayed with me throughout the program was the genuine support the veterans offered each other, despite their political differences," says Professor Grant Reeher. His article, "How do we reduce political polarization? America's veterans can show us the way," was published in USA Today.

Griffiths article on secession movements published in Washington Post

"60 or so secessionist movements around the world want independence in 2020. Guess which one might succeed," written by Ryan Griffiths, was published in the Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog. Griffiths examines how Bougainville has gotten so far in its movement to gain independence when so many other aspiring nations have failed. He also discusses what's next for Bougainville, and what you need to know about the road to independence.

Reeher comments on impeachment vote in Democrat & Chronicle

"The fact that this in the end became such a strict party line vote, I think it’s going to reinforce the divisions that already exist," says Professor Grant Reeher. He was interviewed for the Democrat & Chronicle article "Impeachment vote stirs dissension for NY House Democrats in swing districts."

McDowell examines affect of financial sanctions on US dollar in WPR

In his piece titled "How ‘Sanctions Overreach’ Could Undermine the U.S. Dollar’s Dominance," Daniel McDowell takes a look at how US financial sanctions affect the appeal of the US dollar as an international currency, how affected countries are looking for ways to "de-dollarize," and why finding those strategies will be difficult. The article was published in World Politics Review.

Morgan comments on US-UK relations in USA Today

How would UK-US relations have differed if left-wing politician Jeremy Corbyn won Britain's election? "I can't imagine them having a civil conversation," Glyn Morgan, associate professor of political science, told USA Today. "Their world views are so diametrically opposed. I doubt Trump has even ever met anyone like Corbyn."

Reeher quoted in USA Today article on recent Pensacola shooting

Professor Grant Reeher was interviewed for the USA Today article "'A real security problem': Pensacola shooting exposes exception in US gun policy that leaves Americans vulnerable." "There are AR-platform guns that shoot legal hunting rounds, from a .308 on down. I don’t know what that would do if we’re thinking of the lethality it provides somebody," said Reeher.

Elizabeth Cohen cited in NY Mag article on ICE, McKinsey & Company

A passage from Elizabeth Cohen’s forthcoming book, Illegal: How America's Lawless Immigration Regime Threatens Us All, was cited in the New York Magazine article "ICE Didn’t Need McKinsey’s Help to Abuse Detainees." Cohen reveals that abusive approaches were also in place during both the Clinton and Obama administrations, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection obstacles.

Gueorguiev article on China, dictatorship published in Washington Post

Earlier this fall, Mike Bloomberg said that Chinese President Xi Jinping is “not a dictator,” and that the long-ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) "listens to the public." Dimitar Gueorguiev weighs in on Bloomberg's comments and explains why China is still a dictatorship in his article "Mike Bloomberg said China isn’t a dictatorship. Is he right?," published in the Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog.

Reeher comments on the political impact of impeachment in the Hill

"On paper, you would say it has to hurt him [Trump] and there are public opinion data that back that up," says Professor Grant Reeher. "But there are different ways this might be spun that we can’t predict right now. It could be that this mobilizes a set of voters in a way that helps Trump." Reeher was interviewed for the Hill article "The Memo: Will impeachment hurt Democrats or Trump?"

McDowell discusses history of the Washington Consensus on WPR podcast

Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science, was a guest on World Politics Review's latest Trend Lines podcast where he discussed the history of the Washington Consensus and why it continues to spark controversy around the world 30 years after the term was coined.

Jackson shares her perspective on racial acts on campus in Wash Post

"These events force us to confront the thin line between our beliefs and our practices," writes Jenn Jackson, assistant professor of political science. Her article, "I teach at Syracuse University. Racist acts on campus have left me scared, tired and more motivated than ever," was published in the Lily, a publication of the Washington Post.

Jackson talks about fighting bigotry during the holidays in Teen Vogue

In her article titled "It's Your Responsibility to Challenge Bigoted Relatives Over the Holidays," published in Teen Vogue, Jenn Jackson explains why it's important to fight bigotry. "The issue of racism is tangled up with a host of other issues, including gender and sexuality, class, and education," writes Jackson. "Starting the conversation can seem daunting, but it can also be a gateway to a host of other meaningful interactions about systemic prejudices and inequality."

Keck weighs in on the future of American democracy in the NY Times

Tom Keck was interviewed for the New York Times article "The Democracy Doomsayers Consider 2020." Keck said drastic measures might be needed such as term limits for new justices and keeping open the possibility of expanding the [Supreme] court’s size. "It may be our least-bad option in restoring the court’s role as a democratic guardrail," said Keck.

Thorson quoted in CT Mirror article on Connecticut's tax myth

"With policy perceptions, it’s not about what a candidate did or didn’t do," says Emily Thorson, assistant professor of political science. "Misconceptions about a particular policy, these are pretty common." Thorson was interviewed for the CT Mirror article "Debunking Connecticut’s enduring tax myth."

Abdelaaty paper on refugees, guesthood in Turkey published in JRS

"The refusal to designate certain populations as asylum seekers or refugees enables Turkey to opt in or out of what might otherwise appear to be generally applicable, national-level policies," writes Lamis Abdelaaty, assistant professor of political science. Her article, "Refugees and Guesthood in Turkey," was published in the Journal of Refugee Studies.

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