The Staff
Does the U.S. Really Resemble Latin America?
How does the US compare to so-called "banana republics"? Public opinion data show the US is not exceptional.
MISCHIEFS OF FACTION
Reflections on Parties and Their Place in Politics
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The Staff
Impeachment Puts Presidential Power on Trial
Trump is more likely to "go public" in dealing with senators of his own party than to use presidential "soft power."
From freedom to sedition
How the House Freedom Caucus abandoned its constitutional conservatism and led an effort to subvert the 2020 presidential election.
Julia Azari
Who is "we" the people?
Guest post by Carolyn Holmes At 1:24 PM on Wednesday, Congressman Steve Scalise stood to speak on the floor of the House of...
Seth Masket
We Freaking Warned You
Political scientists have been taking Trump seriously and literally since 2015. We told you this would happen.
The Staff
Remove Trump Immediately
The person inciting insurrections can not also be the person in charge of federal law enforcement. This is how democracies die.
Julia Azari
We all live in the America Trump has made. Normal politics isn't enough.
At around 2pm eastern time yesterday, I watched the speeches on the Senate floor, both struck by the contrast between Pat Toomey and Ted...
A dark day
The violent attack on the U.S. Congress put a glaring spotlight on two disturbing features of contemporary American politics.
Gregory Koger
The Origins of the 1887 Election Count Act
The 1877 filibuster of the electoral vote count exposed a flaw in the presidential election process. The Electoral Count Act was the result.
Julia Azari
The year everything changed, and nothing did
In 2020, the year in review genre feels especially challenging and fraught, with high stakes for being either too depressing or too glib....
Seth Masket
They're in power. They *are* power.
The "V" miniseries reminded us of those who are happy to help authoritarians seize and remain in power.
The politics of governing with a tiny majority
Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats will be tested by their party’s smaller size.
Seth Masket
Lessons from 2020 (that I can't yet prove)
Some political lessons we can learn from 2020, even if we don't have all the evidence yet.
Amy Erica Smith
How the Venezuelan Opposition Lost a Golden Opportunity and the International Community Let it Do So
Last Sunday, the world watched silently as the Venezuelan governing party (PSUV) won back control of the National Assembly. The outcome...
The Staff
To Boycott or not to Boycott Elections in Non-democracies – Lessons from Venezuela
Should the opposition in authoritarian regimes participate in elections or boycott? The answer depends on the larger opposition strategy.
Amy Erica Smith
Symposium: What does political science teach us about opposition boycotts in Venezuela?
Four political scientists weigh in on what we know about opposition boycotts in authoritarian regimes such as Venezuela.
The Staff
When Opposition Boycotts Don't Work: A Venezuelan Story
Boycotts increase the likelihood of democratic reform--but only if the non-democratic regime is somewhat weak.
The Staff
Will Pelosi’s Power be Curtailed in the 117th Congress?
House Democrats’ smaller majority will likely have a counterintuitive effect on Speaker influence.
When ideology trumps democracy
Reelection concerns motivated many House Republicans to support the anti-democratic Texas lawsuit -- but ideology did too.
Seth Masket
Trump Will Still Lead the GOP
Do not expect Trump's influence over the GOP to wane once he's out of office.