Political Science News

Cleary study on rights of indigenous women in Mexico published in LAPS

"Subordinated Autonomy and the Political Inclusion of Women in Indigenous Mexico," written by Matthew Cleary, was published in Latin American Politics and Society. The study argues that the act of formalizing autonomy for indigenous communities, in the context of Mexico’s homogenizing neoliberal state, had the unanticipated effect of exposing exclusionary practices to state scrutiny, which eventually forced those communities to recognize women’s political rights.

Reeher weighs in on Americans' political dissatisfaction in The Hill

"If the public is fundamentally dissatisfied with where the country is going, that is also going to open up opportunities for different political messages — and different political messengers — to tap that dissatisfaction in different ways," says Professor Grant Reeher. He was interviewed for The Hill article "The Memo: Unhappy voters could deliver political shocks beyond Trump."

Gadarian quoted in LA Times article on GOP politicians and coronavirus

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, says people tend to get cues from their elected officials. "The political leaders of the Republican party for a long time have not had a consistent message about what keeps people safe," Gadarian says. Her quote was featured in the Los Angeles Times article "Trump makes it harder for red state politicians to battle the coronavirus."

Gueorguiev, McDowell study on capital controls in China published

"Inside looking out: how international policy trends shape the politics of capital controls in China," co-authored by Dimitar Gueorguiev and Daniel McDowell, was published in The Pacific Review. Gueorguiev, McDowell, and co-author David Steinberg present evidence showing that the international policy context features heavily in domestic political debates about capital controls in China. They also show that information about other countries’ policy choices influences mass public attitudes about capital controls in China.

Gadarian quoted in Scientific American on impact of COVID-19 on voting

"If Democrats are taking more precautions because of the coronavirus, we may see them not turn out as much as they would have without the pandemic," says Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate professor of political science. "That is pretty disturbing." Gadarian was interviewed for the Scientific American article "Trump vs. Biden: How COVID-19 Will Affect Voting for President."

Reeher comments on Trump's campaign rally venue in The Hill

"At this point, it is just completely baffling to me,” says Grant Reeher of President Trump's decision to hold his campaign rally in Tulsa, the site of one of the worst racial massacres in modern U.S. history back in 1921. "He is going all-in on ‘Law and Order’ and rejecting the very premise of the protests and sticking it in your eye." Reeher was interviewed for The Hill article "The Memo: Trump's Tulsa decision sparks new race controversy."

Jackson speaks to Vox about the meaning of abolish the police

"By 'abolish the police,' I mean building a world where we do not rely on anti-Black, white supremacist institutions of order to regulate society," says Jenn Jackson, assistant professor of political science. "This means that alternative forms of order might be embraced, like community care networks and justice structures rooted in restoration rather than punishment." Jackson was interviewed for the Vox article "The 'abolish the police' movement, explained by 7 scholars and activists."

White quoted in AFP article on rethinking race in American history

"I think for a growing number of white Americans you are seeing more attention paid to the longer-term reasons that racial inequality persists in America," says Steven White. "I guess the question is whether these changes in public opinion will last," he says. "Is this the beginning of a really substantial shift?" White was interviewed for the Agence France Presse article "America's original sin: Floyd death prompts historical soul-searching."

Reeher discusses Trump reelection with The Hill

When asked how hard it would be for any incumbent to overcome low voter satisfaction figures, Professor Grant Reeher says, "If we’re going by the history, the answer is 'very difficult.'" Voter satisfaction with the direction of the nation, Reeher adds "has always been a very good indicator" of whether the incumbent party was likely to keep the White House. Reeher was interviewed for The Hill article "The Memo: Trump's troubles deepen as voters see country on wrong path."

Lambright quoted in AP piece on Trump's claim of saving space program

The Obama administration "pushed it harder, much harder," says Professor Harry Lambright of NASA's effort to commercialize space. He was quoted in the Associated Press article "AP FACT CHECK: Trump claim of saving space program off base."

Lambright discusses SpaceX, NASA in Associated Press article

"You can’t explain SpaceX without really understanding how NASA really kind of nurtured it in the early days," says Harry Lambright, professor of public administration and international affairs and political science. "In a way, SpaceX is kind of a child of NASA." Read more in the the Associated Press article "First commercial space taxi a pit stop on Musk's Mars quest," in which University Professor Sean O'Keefe was also quoted.

McDowell speaks to Al Jazeera about IMF bailouts due to COVID-19

"And now you're saddled with additional debt from the IMF. Then some sort of longer term plan or program is likely going to have to step in to help countries through that," says Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science. He was interviewed by Al Jazeera for the segment "More than 90 countries request IMF bailout."

Undergraduate Awards

Check out the Political Science Undergraduate award winners for Spring 2020!

Can Biden win over Sanders supporters? Reeher discusses in USA Today

Professor Grant Reeher says Biden could have a hard time getting enthusiastic support from former Sanders supporters due to his lengthy record – three decades of Senate votes and two terms in the White House as President Barack Obama's vice president. It's "not gonna rub a lot of these Bernie Sanders supporters particularly in the right way," with how Biden has portrayed his own record, he says. Read more in the USA Today article "How Joe Biden is working to win over progressive voters."

Reeher quoted in The Hill article on increasing polarization, COVID-19

The polarization of American life had been going on for years before Trump was even a political figure, says Professor Grant Reeher. But, "what is different now, and what gives this a sharper edge is the fact that emotions are running so high, first of all; second, that the stakes are really, really high; and third the fact that the president has made very strong statements about these things." Reeher was interviewed for The Hill article "The Memo: Virus crisis deepens dangerous divides."

Gadarian research on partisanship, COVID-19 cited in LA Times, Slate

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, along with Tom Pepinsky of Cornell University and Sara Goodman of UC Irvine, recently released an analysis of polling data about which Americans say they wear masks in public. They found a gap of more than 20 points along partisan lines: 75% of Democrats, but 53% of Republicans said they did. Their findings were cited in the Los Angeles Times article "Can’t mask partisanship: Coronavirus response explains why Trump can still win," and the Slate article "Let’s Weaponize Social Media Against COVID-19."

Maxwell faculty and students honored with 2020 One University awards

Syracuse University announced its 2020 One University Awards, honoring members of the University community for their scholarship, teaching, academic achievement, leadership and service. The annual ceremony was scheduled to take place on April 17 in Hendricks Chapel, but was canceled due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Maxwell students selected as 2020-21 Remembrance Scholars

Ten Maxwell students were among the 35 students selected to be the 2020-21 Remembrance Scholars by Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee. The scholarships, now in their 31st year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Thompson talks with Spectrum on impact of Reade allegation, election

"As disturbing as these allegations against Vice President Biden are, similar allegations have been made against President Trump... I think [voting for Biden is] a legitimate choice to make that does not negate the possibility that Tara Reade is telling the truth." Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science, was interviewed for the Spectrum News segment "Biden to Choose a Woman Running Mate While Faced With Tara Reade Allegation."

Gadarian discusses partisan divide around COVID-19 with CSM

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, discusses her March 2020 study illustrating that partisan affiliation—more than age, income, or education level—was a “huge divider” in people’s reported health behaviors. “People are taking their cues from political leadership and from doctors, and to the extent that those are different, people will turn to their more trusted sources,” she says. Gadarian's study was cited in the Christian Science Monitor article "COVID-19 isn't partisan. But it's intensifying America's red-blue divide."

Reeher weighs in on Biden, assault allegation in USA Today, The Hill

"I don’t think the issue is likely to cause someone to vote for Trump instead of Biden. The problem is what it does for the level of enthusiasm for Biden among different constituencies, and the turnout for him. It could have a dampening effect there," says Grant Reeher. He spoke to The Hill and USA Today about Tara Reade's assault allegation against Joe Biden.

Thompson discusses role of nuns in past pandemics in GSR

Members of orders that came over from Europe to North America were often already engaged in ministering to the sick, says Margaret Susan Thompson. "Most of the sisters who came here were really devoted to meeting the needs of the time, and this was one of the needs of the time." Thompson was quoted in the Global Sisters Report article "Pioneers of past pandemics."

Gadarian quoted in HuffPost article on coronavirus, partisanship

"Overall, there seems to be a lot of projection going on," said Shana Gadarian. "Normally, I think that people take cues from the president but since his messaging has been relatively muddled ... people seem to be filling in their preferred position for his." Gadarian was interviewed for the HuffPost article "Democrats Think Republicans Oppose Stay-At-Home Orders. Most Republicans Don’t."

Maxwell students receive Fulbright teaching and research grants

Three Maxwell students will make impacts around the globe as 2020-21 recipients of awards through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Five Maxwell students were also chosen as alternates. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program funds a number of different awards that include English teaching assistantships (ETA) and study/research grants in over 140 countries.

Gadarian featured in Vox article on anxiety, coronavirus, and politics

"We’ve recommended that the medical experts be up front and center, and the political leaders take a step back and defer to the doctors and to the head of the health agencies, because that’s who anxious people want to hear from," says Shana Gadarian. She was interviewed for the Vox article "How anxiety changes political behavior."

Gooden named dean at Virginia Commonwealth University

Susan Gooden ’95 MA (PSc)/’96 PhD (PSc) is the new dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her appointment was effective April 16. She is charged with helping the Wilder School strengthen pedagogical programs while increasing research on global challenges.

Karcher wins NSF grant to study transparency in qualitative research

Sebastian Karcher, associate director of the Qualitative Data Repository (QDR) and research assistant professor of political science at Syracuse University, received a grant from the National Science Foundation for his project "Empowering Open Law and Science Collaborative Research."

McDowell discusses the economic fallout from COVID-19 on WPR podcast

Daniel McDowell was a guest on the World Politics Review podcast Trend Lines to discuss global efforts to contain the economic fallout of COVID-19, and what more governments can do to ensure a speedy recovery once the health crisis subsides. Listen to the interview here: "What More Will It Take to Save the Global Economy From COVID-19?"

Gueorguiev receives 2020 Moynihan junior faculty award

Dimitar Gueorguiev, assistant professor of political science, is this year’s recipient of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Award for Teaching and Research. The Moynihan Award is presented annually in recognition of a non-tenured faculty member of the Maxwell School with an outstanding record of teaching, research, and service.

Reeher provides insight into COVID-19 impact on 2020 election on WSYR

It is a Presidential campaign year, but there is little campaigning amid COVID-19. Political experts say the crisis might affect the dynamics of the race, kind of election it is likely to be and who it might benefit. Professor Grant Reeher provided insight into the 2020 Presidential election on WSYR's Bridge Street.

Gadarian quoted in Science article on coronavirus messaging

"When you hear [health] experts saying one thing and the head of your [political] party saying another, that’s a troubling kind of thing to decide," says Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science. She was interviewed for the Science article "Crushing coronavirus means ‘breaking the habits of a lifetime.’ Behavior scientists have some tips."

Klotz receives distinguished scholar award from ISA

Audie Klotz, professor of political science, is the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Organization Section of the International Studies Association (ISA). The Distinguished Scholar Award is presented to senior scholars whose influence, scholarly work, and mentorship are expected to significantly shape the field of international studies in the years to come.

Gadarian talks partisanship, public responses to COVID-19 in The Hill

"We need the GOP to flatten the curve," co-authored by Shana Gadarian, was published in The Hill. Research by Gadarian and co-authors Sara Wallace Goodman and Thomas B. Pepinsky has uncovered a stunning partisan divide in public responses to COVID-19. "Partisanship is determining how citizens respond to COVID-19, and this divided response puts every American at risk," they write.

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."

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