Eitan Hersh, a Professor of Political Science, discusses the importance of strategic political action over hobbyism. Topics include effective protest movements, voter ID laws, navigating political perspectives, and polarization in higher education. Emphasizes the need for local engagement and open debate in academia.
Engaging in politics requires strategic thinking and coalition-building, akin to negotiating for a raise with one's boss.
Voter ID laws' impact on election outcomes may not favor specific parties, challenging conventional beliefs about their effects.
Creating spaces for open conversations and exploring diverse viewpoints on college campuses fosters intellectual growth and prepares students for constructive dialogues.
Deep dives
The Importance of Strategic Political Engagement
Engaging in politics requires strategic thinking, akin to convincing one's boss for a raise by understanding their perspective and building a coalition. Eitan Hirsch discusses the dangers of political hobbyism, where individuals engage emotionally or intellectually without building necessary skills or knowledge to influence real change. Understanding the difference between active political citizenship and ineffective hobbyism is crucial.
The Implications of Voter ID Laws
Voter ID laws in the United States have been a subject of debate, with concerns raised over potential partisan advantages. However, research by Justin Grimmer and Yasha Monk suggests that the impact of such laws on election outcomes may not be as significant as previously believed. The laws may not disproportionately affect specific political parties, challenging conventional assumptions about their effects.
Promoting Civil Discourse and Intellectual Diversity on Campus
Creating spaces for open conversations and intellectual exploration on college campuses is crucial. Eitan Hirsch's course on American conservatism at Tufts University fosters discussions on diverse perspectives and policies, promoting a deeper understanding of varying viewpoints. Encouraging students to engage with conservative ideas and policies helps cultivate a more intellectually diverse learning environment and prepares them for constructive dialogues.
Challenges in Higher Education and Political Engagement
Addressing the polarization and lack of ideological diversity in higher education requires initiatives to promote healthy debate and intellectual exploration among students. By developing platforms that encourage critical thinking and diverse viewpoints, educational institutions can foster a more inclusive and intellectually robust environment. Emphasizing strict rules on technology use and promoting scholarly research can enhance engagement and learning outcomes.
Envisioning a More Engaged and Thoughtful Citizenry
Encouraging individuals to move beyond political hobbyism towards practical engagement at local levels can lead to more impactful and meaningful contributions to society. Learning from local civic heroes and understanding the dynamics of community involvement can inspire individuals to adopt a more strategic and constructive approach to political participation. Reorienting towards state and local politics offers valuable lessons for fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.
Yascha Mounk and Eitan Hersh discuss the importance of strategic political action that focuses on goals and outcomes.
Eitan Hersh is Professor of Political Science at Tufts University, focusing on U.S. elections and civic participation. His latest book is Politics Is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Eitan Hersh discuss how to engage with politics in ways likely to bring about meaningful change; how political hobbyism tends to coincide with misperceptions about voter habits and the purposes of political rhetoric; and how to more successfully get students to engage with challenging ideas on campus.
