Political Science Digest

Ever wondered about the real-world consequences of trade wars beyond economic headlines? In this episode, we dive into Edward Mansfield and Omer Solodoch's compelling research on how the escalating 2018 U.S.-China trade war reshaped American politics.

Discover how retaliatory tariffs announced by China impacted public support for President Trump and the Republican Party, uncovering that voters' reactions were driven more by nationa...

Ever wondered what really separates populism from nationalism? In this episode, we unpack Ashutosh Varshney's compelling analysis of the key similarities and critical differences between these two powerful political phenomena.

We'll explore why populism is often anti-elitist and thrives on relentless popular mobilization, whereas nationalism frequently operates within established institutions, sometimes quietly, sometimes fervently...

Ever wondered how trade wars shape domestic politics? In Episode 15, we explore Fetzer and Schwarz's insightful analysis of Trump's trade wars, revealing how countries like China and the EU strategically targeted retaliatory tariffs to impact U.S. politics directly. Were these tariffs designed purely for economic retaliation, or did they aim to pressure Trump's voter base?

Join us to unpack how international trade disputes become t...

Ever wondered who actually bears the cost when tariffs rise? In this episode, we unpack groundbreaking research by Alberto Cavallo, Gita Gopinath, Brent Neiman, and Jenny Tang on how tariffs imposed during recent US-China trade disputes have impacted prices at the border—and in stores.

We explore how tariffs affect import prices, retail margins, and consumer costs. Do importers fully pass tariffs to consumers, or do retailers absor...

Ever wondered how radical right parties influence mainstream political landscapes? In this episode, we unpack Tarik Abou-Chadi and Werner Krause's insightful research on how radical right successes drive mainstream parties to adopt tougher positions on immigration and cultural protectionism.

Using design-based quantitative techniques, the authors reveal a clear causal relationship: when radical right parties achieve parliamentary r...

How does global trade influence local politics? In this insightful episode, we delve into groundbreaking research by David Autor, David Dorn, Gordon Hanson, and Kaveh Majlesi exploring the electoral impacts of rising international trade exposure in the United States.

We'll uncover how increased competition from imports affects voter behavior, contributing significantly to political polarization and shifts in voting patterns, partic...

Ever wondered if TV campaign ads genuinely sway elections? In this episode, we unpack a groundbreaking study by John Sides, Lynn Vavreck, and Christopher Warshaw on the real-world impact of televised political advertising across US elections from 2000 to 2018.

We explore how TV ads influence voting behavior, discovering they're especially powerful in down-ballot races compared to presidential elections. Are voters really persuaded,...

Ever wondered why voters sometimes overlook corruption at the ballot box? In this episode, we explore the fascinating paper by Pablo Fernández-Vázquez, Pablo Barberá, and Gonzalo Rivero, "Rooting Out Corruption or Rooting for Corruption?" We dive deep into the varied electoral consequences of corruption scandals, uncovering why some corrupt officials remain popular.

We simplify complex findings into engaging discussions, revealing ...

Ever wondered about the real impact of removing Confederate monuments on racial attitudes in America? In this episode, we explore Roxanne Rahnama's insightful study, "Monumental Changes," examining whether these symbolic actions influence public views on race and identity.

We break down complex academic findings into accessible discussions, uncovering surprising results: Confederate symbol removals significantly reduce racial resen...

Ever wondered how far citizens are willing to go to defend their country? In this episode, we unpack Janina Dill and Carl Müller's eye-opening study, "At Any Cost: How Ukrainians Think about Self-Defense Against Russia," exploring the depths of Ukraine’s determination amid Russia’s invasion.

We translate rigorous academic research into an accessible discussion, revealing Ukrainians' views on military resistance, territorial concess...

Ever wondered if there's actually a hidden consensus about immigration among Americans? In this episode, we explore Jens Hainmueller and Daniel J. Hopkins' groundbreaking paper, "The Hidden American Immigration Consensus," revealing surprising insights about American preferences on who should be admitted as immigrants.

We simplify complex academic findings into accessible discussions, uncovering which immigrant attributes—like educ...

Ever wondered why populist leaders frequently embrace conspiracy theories once in power? In this episode, we delve into Andrea LP Pirro and Paul Taggart's insightful paper, "Populists in Power and Conspiracy Theories," exploring how and why populists strategically use conspiracy theories to maintain their political appeal.

We translate complex scholarly insights into clear discussions, examining who populists target, when conspirac...

Ever wondered why some states become strong democracies, others oppressive regimes, or remain weak and fragmented? In this episode, we explore Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson's influential paper, "Weak, Despotic, or Inclusive? How State Type Emerges from State versus Civil Society Competition," unpacking the ongoing struggle between elites and society in shaping state capacity.

We clarify complex academic insights, discussing ...

Ever wondered how economic development shapes democratic societies? In this episode, we explore Ronald Inglehart and Christian Welzel's groundbreaking paper, "Changing Mass Priorities: The Link between Modernization and Democracy," diving into the fascinating connection between economic growth, cultural shifts, and democratic governance.

We break down sophisticated academic discussions into accessible conversations about how modern...

Have you wondered why nationalism has returned as a powerful force shaping global politics? In this episode, we delve into Harris Mylonas and Maya Tudor's insightful paper, "Nationalism: What We Know and What We Still Need to Know," unpacking historical patterns, contemporary trends, and the future of nationalism.

We simplify complex academic discussions about nation-building, identity politics, and why nationalism resonates today ...

Ever wondered how trade wars affect our economies? In this episode, we explore Pablo D. Fajgelbaum and Amit K. Khandelwal's compelling paper, "The Economic Impacts of the US–China Trade War," breaking down the real-world consequences of recent tariff battles. Did tariffs help or hurt consumers and producers in the US and China? What were the wider global impacts?

We turn complex economic analysis into accessible discussions, coveri...

Ever wondered why populism is sweeping across Western democracies? In our very first episode, we dive into Sheri Berman's influential paper, "The Causes of Populism in the West," unpacking the critical factors behind the surge of populist politics in the United States, Europe, and beyond.

We break down complex academic insights into lively, easy-to-follow discussions, exploring economic insecurities, cultural anxieties, and institu...