Consider the Latest
Elections: Engines of government power
We typically consider elections as accountability devices, the time when people can rebuke those in power and replace them with someone else. The people ultimately decide. Less understood, elections are important instruments of government power and authority. In fact the chief reason elections exist at all is because they benefit governments. This interpretation allows us to think more clearly about the role of democratic institutions and citizen participation.
Securing the right to vote – it’s not about protest, equity, and fairness. It’s about War.
Typically we think about the right to vote as something won – something gained through protest and persistent pressure on government. Turns out, that is only a small part of the story. This post details the rest of the story.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill – it’s not really bipartisan!
It’s been called bipartisan for months. It now law. But is it really bipartisan?
An Electoral Majority is not a Governing Majority
Our political system deliberately prevents electoral majorities from dominating government. Is this democracy?
What is Government?
What is government? The answer can clarify how we see political affairs.
The target is now unvaccinated Americans
Biden calls for mandates and blames the unvaccinated minority. Sharp rhetoric, bold actions but politically risky.
Lots of shouting but Democrats (like Republicans) will keep the filibuster
Will Democrats eliminate the filibuster? No. And neither will Republicans. But, filibuster politics does demonstrate the old maxim, “where you sit is where you stand”
Two studies: One on COVID-19 Misinformation. The Other on News Media Coverage of COVID-19
Two recent studies that offer intriguing data on political misinformation
Mass shootings involving political figures
After mass shooting involving members of congress, many people attributed blame to heated partisan rhetoric. Why? Does it matter?
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Additional Readings to Consider:
My other blog posts around the web
Three things that help make sense of measles outbreak Washington Post
American vastly overestimate number of gun owners Washington Post
Why educated Republicans are still less likely to trust vaccinations than educated Democrats – London School Economics
Gun ownership used to be bipartisan, not anymore Washington Post
Inciting to Violence? Attributions for Political Violence have a Partisan Bent – Political Violence at a Glance
consider the politics 