Political Science News

Reeher discusses inflation and supply disruption in Wash Examiner

Inflation and significant issues with the supply chains that bring goods into the U.S. have driven up prices for almost every product Americans use—but the Biden administration has worked to frame the problems as minor inconveniences. Professor Grant Reeher says the Biden administration can draw few messaging lessons from previous White Houses that have weathered inflation because polarization has changed politics. "The county has lived through periods of high inflation in the last 40 years, more than one of them, but our politics I think was in a different place." Read more in the Washington Examiner article, "Why is White House painting inflation and supply disruption as minor problems?"

Syracuse mayoral candidates to debate on Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, will moderate a debate between Syracuse's mayoral candidates: incumbent Ben Walsh, an independent who is running on the Independence Party line, the Democratic Party nominee Khalid Bey, and the Republican nominee, Janet Burman. The debate will air in two 30-minute parts; Part 1, Oct. 23 at 6:30 a.m. and Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.; Part 2, Oct. 30 at 6:30 a.m. and Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. via WRVO local stations FM 89.9 and FM 90.3. More information can be found on the Campbell Conversations website.

Reeher quoted in Newsweek piece on retiring PA, NC congress members

Two fixtures of the Democratic party's presence in the House of Representatives will retire after 58 years of combined service. Representative Mike Doyle, a Pennsylvania Democrat, and Representative David Price, a North Carolina Democrat, announced that they would not seek reelection. Professor Grant Reeher expects each seat to remain blue. Find out why in the Newsweek article, "Could Retiring Congress Members in PA, NC Spell Trouble for Democrats Struggling Agenda?"

Gadarian discusses the polarization of the pandemic with Governing

There has always been resistance to vaccines, but prior to the pandemic, it fell roughly evenly across political parties. From the very start of the pandemic, people’s willingness to change their behavior—for instance, by washing their hands more or staying home—has been determined more by partisanship than any other factor, including age, race or geography, according to Shana Kushner Gadarian, professor and chair of political science. She discusses the issue in the Governing article, "Partisanship = Death: How Vaccines Became a Polarizing Issue."

Thompson quoted in Times Union article on religious vaccine exemptions

Debate over religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine is complicated, with employers having to determine if the objections are legitimate religious beliefs. Whether the religious belief is "sincerely held" is a primary metric used by employers when determining whether to grant the requests, says Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science. "The question is whether people are consistent," Thompson says. Read more in the Albany Times Union article, "How does religious exemption to vaccine work?"

Reeher quoted in The Hill article on Biden's challenge with Democrats

President Biden is stuck in the middle of a heated Democratic fight, threading a needle between progressives who want expansive social spending and more conservative Democrats who are skeptical of that effort and prefer to focus on a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. "He has got an enormous challenge, because somehow he has to balance all that," says Professor Grant Reeher. Read more in The Hill article, "The Memo: Biden stuck in middle of tricky Democratic fight."

Elizabeth Cohen piece on immigration reform published in Wash Post

"Avoiding past mistakes is key to Congress passing immigration reform that works," written by Professor of Political Science Elizabeth Cohen, was published in the Washington Post. Cohen discusses the history of immigration reform and how the U.S. can move forward, in particular, by updating the Registry Act.

Lambright discusses the James Webb Space Telescope with JH Magazine

The James Webb Space Telescope launches in December, 60 years after James Webb took over the helm of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). "Webb was always looking ahead from the standpoint of NASA and what it could do in the future," says Professor Harry Lambright. "It was clear to him that it would be important to demonstrate the usefulness of the capabilities that NASA was developing in the '60s, and one of the ways you could do that would be to show how useful you were to science, and a space telescope clearly would be very important for science," Lambright says. Read more in the Johns Hopkins Magazine article, "Mapping the Universe's Origin Story."

Maxwell School announces Montonna Professor, Dean’s Award Recipients

Osamah F. Khalil, associate professor of history and chair of the undergraduate program in international relations, was recently awarded the Dr. Ralph E. Montonna Endowed Professorship for the Teaching and Education of Undergraduates. He will hold the professorship for the 2021-22 academic year. In addition, Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science, received the Maxwell School Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Mentoring, and Kristy Buzard, associate professor of economics, was awarded the Maxwell School Dean’s Award for Innovative Teaching.

Gadarian speaks to Associated Press about mask mandates

Iowa is among at least eight Republican-led states that have limited the ability of school boards to impose mask mandates. More recently, arguments about masks heated up after federal Judge Robert Pratt blocked enforcement of the mask mandate ban, leading several school boards to require masks in their schools. Shana Gadarian, professor and chair of political science, says it’s important to weigh the motivation of politicians questioning public health measures proven to slow virus spread. "Politicians are trying to win reelection. They’re trying to keep their approval ratings up," she says. Read more in the Associated Press article, "Iowa focuses on masks as coronavirus deaths rise."

Campbell quoted in USA Today article on Haitians at Texas border

Thousands of Haitian immigrants encamped at Del Rio, Texas, after entering the U.S. through the Rio Grande are awaiting either deportation from U.S. authorities or deciding to stay put and seek asylum. But Title 42, enacted by Trump, allows for quick expulsion of asylum seekers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in holding facilities and President Joe Biden is continuing the policy. Horace Campbell, professor of political science, calls the expulsion of Haitians "inhumane" and "criminal." Read more in the USA Today article, "White House calls video of border agents chasing Haitian migrants 'horrific,' DHS promises to investigate."

Alex Lynch '16 credits CCE action plan with shaping his career at NYPD

As a crime analyst for the New York Police Department (NYPD), Alex Lynch ’16, uses the skills he developed in the citizenship and civic engagement (CCE) program in the Maxwell School to help improve NYPD engagement and investigations, as well as improve distribution of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three faculty members named O’Hanley Scholars

The Maxwell School is pleased to announce three new O’Hanley Faculty Scholars: Saba Siddiki, associate professor of public administration and international affairs; Martin Shanguhyia, associate professor of history; and Chris Faricy, associate professor of political science. Each was selected for outstanding teaching, scholarship and other accomplishments, including success with external grant support and service to the institution. The O’Hanley Faculty Endowed Fund for Faculty Excellence was created with a major gift from Ron O’Hanley, a 1980 graduate of the Maxwell School with a B.A. in political science.

Gadarian speaks to FiveThirtyEight about partisanship, COVID

Polls and vaccination rates have shown Republicans are less likely to be vaccinated, and more likely to say they don’t plan to get the shot than Democrats. Based on research she and her colleagues have been conducting, Shana Gadarian says there has been a partisan split on all health behaviors (not only the vaccine but also mask wearing, hand washing, visiting one’s doctor) throughout the pandemic. "Partisanship is not the sole determinant, but it is the strongest, most consistent determinant, even controlling for age, education, where people are living, how many COVID-19 cases are in the area," says Gadarian. Read more in the FiveThirtyEight article, "Republicans Aren’t New To The Anti-Vaxx Movement."

Reeher quoted in Eagle Tribune article on 9/11 attacks

There's little doubt that the U.S. and the world was forever changed on September 11, 2001. At the time of the terror attacks, recalls Professor Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, "There was great hope and expectation it would have a profound impact on our civil life and lead to a recapturing of some of what we lost in the decades leading up to it, that it would be a wake-up call for people to become more engaged." But, he says, "We fell very short of attaining the civic hopes that moment generated." Read more in the Eagle Tribune article, "In 20 years since 9/11 attacks, nation remains forever changed."

Maxwell School Announces New Chairs, Faculty

The Maxwell School welcomes several new faculty members and announces the appointment of four department chairs.

Gadarian quoted in USA Today piece on TX abortion law, Republicans

A Texas law, known as SB 8, and signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually at about six weeks. It includes a provision in which private citizens can sue abortion providers and anyone involved in "aiding and abetting" abortions, including someone driving a person to an abortion clinic. Shana Gadarian, professor of political science, weighs in on the impact of SB 8 on Republican voters in the USA Today article, "Texas abortion law could hurt Republicans in 2022 midterm elections, experts say."

Gueorguiev quoted in FT article on China's techno-authoritarian state

A crucial part of the vision of Chinese president Xi Jinping is to build what some analysts call a "techno-authoritarian superpower" in which people are monitored and directed to an unprecedented degree through the agency of government-controlled cyber networks, surveillance systems and algorithms. Dimitar Gueorguiev, associate professor of political science, says the digital technologies deployed by Beijing have helped it keep tabs on popular sentiment and needs. He's quoted in the Financial Times article, "China and Big Tech: Xi’s blueprint for a digital dictatorship."

Thompson quoted in Spectrum piece on Kathy Hochul, Biden attending SU

Prior to this year, no United States president, nor New York governor had ever graduated from Syracuse University. As of August 24, the college can claim both. "Certainly, the fact that Gov. Hochul graduated from the Maxwell School as an undergraduate meant that she was getting education in political science, economics, history and so forth, from some really leading people in the field," says Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science. "I think it will encourage applicants who have a desire to pursue careers in public service,” she says. Read more in the Spectrum News article, "Sitting U.S. president, NY governor both earned degrees at Syracuse University."

Reeher talks with The Hill about vaccine refusual in spite of FDA approval

Professor of Political Science Grant Reeher speaks with The Hill about polarization and entrenched views against COVID vaccination in spite of FDA approval.

Alumna Kathy Hochul ’80 BA (PSc) is first female governor of NYS

Kathy Hochul ’80 (PSc), New York State’s lieutenant governor and an alumna of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences, has become the 57th and first female governor of New York State.

Keck study on international judicial behavior published in LSI

"Diplomats in Robes: Judicial Career Paths and Free Speech Decision-Making at the European Court of Human Rights," co-authored by Thomas Keck, Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics, and Ph.D. candidate Claire Sigsworth, was published in Law & Social Inquiry. Their findings show that former judicial career is related to voting patterns in free speech cases. This relationship is clearest for former diplomats, who stand out both for their willingness to vote against freedom-of-expression claims and for their inclination to author dissents against holdings supporting such claims.

Reeher quoted in Washington Times article on Kathy Hochul

Incoming New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is a Democrat but her political background is far from left-wing. "The left is going to perceive a real window of opportunity here," says Professor Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. "Their calculation is going to be that they’ll try to portray her as someone who’s not strong enough on the causes. And the assumption will be that there’s no way [Democrats] can lose the general election." Read more in the Washington Times article, "Hochul’s conservative lean likely to entice challengers from the left."

Reeher speaks to Newsweek, WETM, WSTM about Gov. Cuomo's resignation

Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned on Tuesday after an investigation by New York State Attorney General Letitia James found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. "For a lot of people, they're going to hear this and say well more of the same," Professor Grant Reeher tells WSTM. "I wasn't really surprised first of all. More of the same. Here we go again." Reeher also spoke to numerous media outlets about Cuomo's resignation.

Reeher discusses Gov. Cuomo's political future with WAER, WETM, WSYR

A report released on Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women and created a "hostile" work environment for women. The findings of her civil review into the harassment allegations have created a political firestorm around Cuomo, with Democratic leaders at all levels of government calling for him to resign. “I have not heard any prominent democratic voice calling for him not to resign and calling for him to continue to resist,” Professor Grant Reeher tells WETM. He also spoke to WAER and WSYR about Cuomo's political future.

Thompson quoted in Global Sisters Report article on US sisters, racism

Congregations across the United States are undergoing examinations of their histories and the lack of Black sisters and women of color. For many communities, sisters' efforts to eliminate racism are beginning by first addressing their own failures. The same way the United States cannot address institutionalized racism if it will not recognize the history that created it, Catholic sisters will not be able to build relationships with Black communities if they will not acknowledge how they have hurt them, says Margaret Susan Thompson. "They have to deal with their own histories to deal with the present," she says. Read more in the Global Sisters Report article, "'Our reckoning': US sisters take up call to examine their role in systemic racism."

Gadarian piece on COVID vaccine, partisanship published on Smerconish

"Why Trump and the GOP Didn’t Claim Vaccines," co-authored by Professor Shana Kushner Gadarian, was featured on Michael Smerconish's blog. "There is now a large partisan gap between the vaccinated and unvaccinated that is growing over time. Many eligible Americans are choosing not to get vaccinated and increasingly, those who choose to remain unvaccinated and unprotected identify as Republicans and live in Republican counties," writes Gadarian and her co-authors. "There is, in fact, a strong negative correlation across nearly every state in the union between county-level Trump vote share in 2020 and vaccination rates, measured using data maintained by the CDC."

Jackson discusses masculinity for Black boys and men in The 19th

Young Black men are especially constrained by society’s narrow definitions of masculinity. That’s why having a safe place to be their authentic selves is crucial. Fostering self-care and self-love is part of building healthy masculinity, says Jenn Jackson, assistant professor of political science. "When it comes to young Black men and performing this masculinity, the stakes are really, really high,” Jackson says. "You can’t, as some people have told me in my research, you can’t wave your hands and be upset in public…when you look irate, you’re more likely to draw attention and you may end up in a confrontation with police officers.” Read more in The 19th article, "Building through affirmation: How one class helps Black boys define masculinity."

McDowell study on capital controls published in the RIO

"Closing time: Reputational constraints on capital account policy in emerging markets," co-authored by Associate Professor of Political Science Daniel McDowell, was published in the Review of International Organizations. The authors show that capital flow volatility is associated with outflow controls, but only when market peers are already closed, suggesting reputational concerns can limit policy autonomy. The study was featured in the Science X article, "When restricting capital movement, don't go it alone."

Rasmussen's book Fears of a Setting Sun featured in NY Times article

Professor Dennis Rasmussen's book, "Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America's Founders," was featured in the New York Times article, "George Washington Feared for America and Other Truths About the Founders We’ve Frozen in Time." In his book, Rasmussen discusses the later-in-life correspondence of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, all of who feared for the fate of the American republic following their service in the government they created. The article's author cites the importance of having that perspective, especially now when millions of Americans are fearful for the future of democracy.

Reeher discusses NY congressional redistricting in Daily Star

In New York, drawing new congressional lines is likely to spark turf battles across political circles, as the state will lose one of its 27 congressional districts. Redistricting in New York, says Professor Grant Reeher, has produced "a paradox of good government goals running up against political realities." If the goal is to flip a seat from control by one party to another, he says, a possible target could be U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford. Because Tenney recaptured her old seat in the last election by a razor-thin margin, "you could make a difference pretty easily there" by modifying the district lines, Reeher says. Read more in the Daily Star article, "New Yorkers get chance to weigh in before new political maps take shape."

Campbell quoted in Guardian article on the death of Haiti's president

Already facing political, economic and security crises, the violent death of its president is only complicating matters in Haiti, which has been plunged into confusion about who is now in charge of the country. "The nature and manner of the assassination of the president have brought further urgency on the need for genuine reconstruction and support for democratic transition in Haiti," says Horace Campbell, professor of political science. He was quoted in The Guardian article, "What do we know about investigation into the assassination of Haiti’s president?"

Maxwell School announces 2021 faculty promotions

The Syracuse University Board of Trustees has approved promotions for six faculty members at the Maxwell School. They are: Alan Allport, who was promoted to professor of history; Shana Kushner Gadarian, who was promoted to professor of political science; Dimitar Gueorguiev, who was promoted to associate professor of political science; Matt Huber, who was promoted to professor of geography and the environment; Guido Pezzarossi, who was promoted to associate professor of anthropology; and Junko Takeda, who was promoted to professor of history.

Reeher quoted in LocalSYR article on gun buyback programs

The City of Syracuse is partnering with New York Attorney General Letitia James on a gun buyback program this summer. Professor Grant Reeher says the amount of guns in the United States keeps growing. When it comes to homicides, he says money should be invested in programs in the places where gun crimes and gang violence happen the most. "Particularly in poorer areas of cities," Reeher adds. "Those are the people that suffer the consequences of this most heavily. Again, that’s a big investment. You’re talking about social programs, you’re talking about job programs, you’re talking about criminal justice initiatives—those all cost a lot of money." Reeher was quoted in the LocalSYR article, "A closer look at the effectiveness of gun buyback programs."

Campbell speaks to LA Times about assassination of Haiti's president

Last week, Haitian president Jovenel Moise was assassinated inside his home. As officials continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing, Haiti’s constitutional crisis deepens, with multiple politicians battling for control of the impoverished country. What is needed, says Horace G. Campbell, professor of political science and African American studies, is for members of Haitian civil society to take the lead in crafting a solution to the current crisis with the support of neighboring Caribbean countries. "The Haitian people need room to create their own democratic spaces," Campbell says. Read more in the Los Angeles Times article, "Who killed Haiti’s president? Plot thickens as Moise’s guards come under scrutiny."

Rasmussen's Fears of a Setting Sun reviewed in Wall Street Journal

"Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America’s Founders" (Princeton University Press, 2021), written by Dennis Rasmussen, professor of political science, was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal. "The book is gracefully written and fair in its judgments," writes reviewer Barton Swaim. "It’s also timely. There must be few news-following Americans who haven’t wondered over the last year if the United States can stay united for much longer. The founders, too, worried intermittently about dissolution." Rasmussen also discussed his book on the Reason video segment "The Founding Fathers Thought America Was Doomed."

Barkun quoted in NorthJersey.com piece on TWA 800 conspiracy theories

On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded in midair off the coast of Long Island. Conspiracy theories quickly took shape. Twenty-five years later, the questions and conspiracies live on, despite National Transportation Safety Board officials concluding that an electrical failure ignited fuel vapors in a nearly empty tank in the belly of the jet. Professor Emeritus Michael Barkun says internet forums and social media platforms have served as mass media outlets without gatekeepers. They allow unconventional ideas to quickly become mainstream. "Now anyone with an idea, no matter how bizarre, has a way of potentially getting it in front of fairly large audiences," he says. Read more in the NorthJersey.com article, "'First conspiracy of the internet age' lives on 25 years after TWA Flight 800 exploded."

Four Maxwell students named as 2021 Boren Fellows

Four students in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs have been named as recipients of the 2021 Boren Fellowship. The fellowship, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, funds immersive foreign language study abroad experiences for graduate students who plan to work in the federal national security arena. Through their experiences, the fellows develop critical foreign language and international skills that are important for their chosen careers. The recipients are Courtney Blankenship, Roger Onofre, Ivy Raines and Kelli Sunabe.

Faricy weighs in on Democrat's proposed tax strategy in WSJ

Top Democrats are in the process of designing a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure deal, and a second, broader antipoverty package and they need to resolve differences over the amount of spending, how much must be paid for, and which of Mr. Biden’s proposed tax increases should advance. "A lot of Democratic voters are moderate to conservative. A lot of Democratic voters have low trust in government,” says Christopher Faricy, associate professor of political science. "You have to tie it to something that is popular, that you can sell to people that will be an improvement in their day-to-day lives." Read more in the Wall Street Journal article, "Democrats Focus on Turning Tax Talk Into Action."

Gadarian quoted in Vox piece on political polarization, COVID vaccine

The COVID-19 epidemic in the U.S., at face value, has become a division between those who are vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated. But, increasingly, it’s also a division between Democrats and Republicans—as vaccination has ended up on one of the biggest dividing lines in the U.S., political polarization. "Partisanship is now the strongest and most consistent divider in health behaviors," says Professor Shana Gadarian. "It didn’t have to be this way," Gadarian says. "There’s really nothing about the nature of being a right-wing party that would require undercutting the threat of COVID from the very beginning." Gadarian was quoted in the Vox article, "How political polarization broke America’s vaccine campaign."

Gueorguiev quoted in SCMP piece on Chinese human rights abuses, UN

Highlighting the one-year anniversary of Hong Kong’s controversial national security law (NSL) and also focusing on mainland China’s far-western autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, the [U.S.] Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), asked UN Secretary General António Guterres for "immediate measures to closely monitor and assess China’s behaviour." "Letters and appeals to [Guterres], as opposed to ambassadorial diplomacy, are more about public position-taking and signaling than they are about actual results," says Dimitar Gueorguiev, associate professor of political science. Read more in the South China Morning Post article, "US agency urges UN to move on investigation of alleged human rights abuses in China."

Thompson discusses US-Vatican relationship in The Hill

Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited with Pope Francis in what was seen as an attempt to reset relations between Washington and the Holy See following former President Trump’s administration. "In this meeting, it seems that there was far more cordiality and acknowledgment of what the U.S. and Vatican have in common," says Margaret Susan Thompson. "I think this is emblematic of Pope Francis’s entire papacy that he has always emphasized a more comprehensive view of Catholic social teaching, he is not a single-issue pope," Thompson says. "There’s plenty about the Biden administration that the pope can work with. There’s plenty of areas they can agree on." Read more in The Hill article, "Post-Trump, Biden seeks to restore US relations with Holy See."

Dwidar study on group lobbying, public policy published in PSJ

"Diverse Lobbying Coalitions and Influence in Notice-and-Comment Rulemaking," authored by Assistant Professor of Political Science Maraam Dwidar, was published in Policy Studies Journal. Dwidar tested the influence of diverse coalitions of interest groups on bureaucratic policy outputs by analyzing a new dataset of organizations’ co-signed public comments across nearly 350 federal agency rules proposed between 2005 and 2015. She found that agencies favor recommendations from organizationally diverse coalitions, and not coalitions that are bipartisan or dominated by business interests.

Pralle examines changes in flood insurance rate maps in RHCPP

"To appeal and amend: Changes to recently updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps," co-authored by Associate Professor of Political Science Sarah Pralle, was published in Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy. The findings suggest changes to flood zones on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) occur more often where people have greater socioeconomic means, raising questions of equity for future FIRM appeals and revisions.

Alumna oversees students in NYS Assembly where she once interned

Going to work every day at the New York State Assembly, Vanessa Salman ’17 BA (PSc) is reminded of her time in the Maxwell School. As part of her responsibilities as a staff training associate for the Assembly Minority Conference, Salman oversees students within the conference participating in the Albany semester program. In 2017, Salman was one of those interns. The Assembly Intern Program in Albany gives students the opportunity to work full-time in the New York State legislature. DurSalman found her experience as an intern powerful, and this ultimately drew her back to work full-time post-graduation.

Thompson quoted in The Hill article on banning communion for Biden

U.S. bishops are set to open a debate over whether President Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history, and other politicians should be denied communion based on their stance on abortion. It promises to be a testy discussion on a sensitive issue that is dividing people from the top of the Vatican, with some bishops eager to make an example of Biden and others warning this would weaponize the Holy Communion. "There really is a tension between bishops and that tension has always existed in the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops), it’s always been there. It’s just a question of what is predominant," says Margaret Susan Thompson. She was quoted in The Hill article, "Bishops to debate banning communion for president."

Reeher quoted in The Hill article on Biden, success of democracies

President Joe Biden is casting his first international trip as an opportunity to prove to the world that democracies work—but Americans are just as polarized as their elected representatives. "Biden does have a challenge," says Professor Grant Reeher. "He is arguing, 'I am here as the American president to be the leading voice.' But then he is subject to people saying, 'Wait a minute, look at what you folks have been going through. Why is it you? Why isn’t it [German Chancellor] Angela Merkel? Or one of the other leaders?' And it’s a legitimate criticism," he says. Read more in The Hill article, "The Memo: Biden says democracies work; the US is not helping his case."

Gadarian comments on upcoming NYS mayoral races in City & State

Incumbent mayors are facing challenges in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse—Upstate New York’s four largest cities. These races are largely following a pattern found in recent Democratic primaries in New York, especially in New York City: More moderate incumbents are being challenged by opponents who say they have failed to address injustices like police brutality and income inequality. "I think what you’re seeing in upstate is pretty similar to what the discussion is at the national level in the Democratic Party, which is the progressive wing being more prominent than what you’ve seen in the past, and progressive Democrats running quite clearly on being progressive," says Professor Shana Gadarian. Read more in the City & State article, "Upstate incumbent mayors face challenges from the left."

Abdelaaty talks to NBN about her book Discrimination and Delegation

Lamis Abelaaty, assistant professor of political science, spoke with the New Books Network about her recently published book "Discrimination and Delegation: Explaining State Responses to Refugees" (Oxford University Press, 2021). Abdelaaty develops a two-part theoretical framework in which policymakers in refugee-receiving countries weigh international and domestic concerts. At the international level, policymakers consider relations with the refugee-sending country. At the domestic level policymakers consider political competition among ethnic groups. When these international and domestic incentives conflict, shifting responsibility to the UN allows policymakers to placate both refugee-sending countries and domestic constituencies.

Faricy quoted in MarketWatch article on Child Tax Credit payouts

The U.S. government is preparing to send up to $300 a month per child in expanded Child Tax Credit payouts to millions of families this summer. The payouts are due to start July 15 and stem from March’s $1.9 trillion stimulus law. "The Child Tax Credit isn’t new," says Christopher Faricy. "What might be new is the motivation driving this in the Biden administration, which is a real understanding about how outdated the social safety net is—and recognizing the dual-earner status as becoming much more common since the post-World War II era, when a lot of the safety net was built." Read more in the MarketWatch article, "Monthly payments of up to $300 per child are starting for most families — and could keep coming for years."

Political Science Department News

Stay Informed