Not Another Politics Podcast

In this discussion, economist Santiago Perez from UC Davis, who co-authored a notable paper on the Pendleton Act, sheds light on the complexities of meritocratic hiring in government. He reveals that while the Pendleton Act aimed to reduce corruption and enhance efficiency, its effectiveness has been questionable. The conversation focuses on the unintended consequences of merit-based exams, such as salary manipulations and political dynamics, raising the question of whether reintroducing these exams could address today's bureaucratic challenges or exacerbate them.

Infrastructure in the U.S. now costs dramatically more than in countries like Germany or Croatia—without clear signs of higher quality or better environmental outcomes. Why has infrastructure spending spiraled out of control? Could democracy itself—through litigation, regulations, and empowered citizen voices—be driving costs sky-high?George Washington University Professor of Public Policy Leah Brooks investigates why the U.S. pays so much more per mile of highway compared to other nations in her paper “Infrastructure Costs”. Brooks reveals shocking findings: from the late 1960s onward, the cost to build highways in America surged dramatically, not because of higher wages or materials, but because of legal battles, environmental reviews, and citizen demands.

In elections across democracies, we assume voters cast ballots for candidates whose policies align with their interests. But what happens when that's not the case? This week, we unpack a political puzzle from Japan: the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) keeps winning elections despite voters consistently rejecting their policies.Through groundbreaking research from Yale political scientist Shiro Kuriwaki, “Winning Elections with Unpopular Policies: Valence Advantage and Single-Party Dominance in Japan” we delve into why voters might choose candidates whose platforms they fundamentally disagree with. Is it trust, competence, or something more complicated?

Renard Sexton, a political scientist specializing in Philippine politics, dives into the complex world of political outsiders and their impact on governance. He discusses how mayors navigate loyalty amid Duterte's controversial drug war policies. The conversation examines whether extremist actions can serve to secure loyalty, the balance of local power dynamics, and the potential parallels with other populist leaders like Trump. Sexton reveals how personal interests and electoral incentives shape political strategies in an ever-evolving landscape.

There’s a real-world experiment in governance happening that you’ve probably not heard about. It involves decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). These online collectives are trying to run billion-dollar enterprises using direct democracy and a controversial mechanism known as “liquid democracy”—where you can delegate your vote to anyone, at any time. Are these DAOs and blockchain experiments revolutionizing democracy—or just reinventing the wheel?Political scientist Andrew Hall (Stanford GSB), has been studying these systems to understand if delegated voting increases participation, improves decision-making, or simply creates new forms of power concentration. What happens when participation is low, and decisions are made by a few super-delegates? 

Explore the surprising connection between economic conditions and electoral outcomes, challenging the belief that a strong economy always benefits incumbents. New research suggests downturns may favor Democrats while booms help Republicans. Delve into how risk aversion shapes voting behavior, particularly among academics, and its implications for party support. The podcast also questions the link between political parties and stock market returns, revealing complexities in how economic realities influence voter decisions during elections.

Political scientist Daniel Moskowitz from the University of Chicago joins the discussion, bringing his expertise on congressional polarization. They dive into surprising new data that challenges the common narrative of ever-increasing extremism in politics. Moskowitz reveals how factors like voting dynamics, candidate replacement, and the impact of social media shape today’s divided Congress. They also explore the complexities of ideological shifts and the pressures faced by moderates, painting a vivid picture of the modern political landscape.

On our last episode we had a discussion about what voters care about when electing politicians…and we mentioned a prior episode where we discussed if something as seemingly arbitrary as looks factor into voter choice. Do more attractive politicians do better?We all know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but if we’re being honest we all do it on occasion anyway. Could it be that we also elect our politicians just based on how they look? Of course, there’s the old idea of looking “presidential”, but how much power does that really have to sway an election?As we take some time off for the holidays, we thought it would be great to re-release that episode. We’ll be back in a few weeks with brand new episodes! Thanks for listening!

Jack Lucas, a political scientist at the University of Calgary, dives into the intriguing disconnect between how politicians perceive voter motivations and how voters see themselves. He reveals that politicians often adopt a cynical view, while citizens maintain a more optimistic perspective. The discussion highlights the impact of identity politics, the challenges of understanding voter behavior, and the surprising consistency in politicians' beliefs across democracies. Lucas raises crucial questions about campaign strategies and the future of political engagement.

Curtis Bram, a Political Scientist from UT Dallas and author of "Elitism vs. Populism," dives into the complexities of democratic commitment. He reveals that both politicians and the public often prioritize political gain over democratic principles. Through intriguing experiments, Bram illustrates how anti-democratic tendencies exist on both sides of the aisle. The discussion touches on gerrymandering, electoral reforms, and the surprising similarities in attitudes towards democracy among citizens and elites, urging a collective effort to uphold democratic values.