New Books in Political Science

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Marion Orr, a political scientist from Brown University, dives into the life of Charles C. Diggs Jr., Michigan's first Black congressman. The conversation highlights Diggs' strategic moderation in politics, which proved more effective than the militant approaches of his peers. Orr shares riveting stories of Diggs' collaboration with Martin Luther King Jr. and his pivotal role at the Emmett Till trial. He also discusses how Diggs founded the Congressional Black Caucus and his lasting yet overlooked impact on civil rights.

Political scientists Jack B. Greenberg, a scholar from Yale, and John A. Dearborn, from Vanderbilt, dive into the intriguing concept of presidential self-restraint and its implications for Congress. They explore how congressional actions shape executive power, discussing key examples like the FBI director's position. The duo also highlights the impact of polarization on legislative tools and how past presidencies have tested these norms. Their insights reveal why reliance on norms alone may not safeguard democracy, emphasizing the need for a coordinated restoration of balance among branches.

Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA and author of "Democratic Elitism," delves into the often misunderstood Italian School of Elitism. She clarifies how thinkers like Vilfredo Pareto, Gaetano Mosca, and Robert Michels critiqued the assumption that democracy is synonymous with elections. Piano warns that this conflation breeds disillusionment and highlights the need for democratic renewal through education and institutional support. She argues that these elite theorists were, in fact, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of democracy beyond mere electoral processes.

Rachel Myrick, the Douglas & Ellen Lowey Associate Professor of Political Science at Duke University, discusses her book on polarization's impact on international politics. She reveals how extreme partisanship undermines democracies' advantages in foreign affairs, eroding stability and credibility. Myrick shares surprising insights on polarization's effects on institutions and predictability. She also explores mitigation strategies to insulate national security and highlights the relevance of her research amid current geopolitical tensions.

Nancy Neiman is a Professor at Scripps College and author of Markets, Community and Just Infrastructures. In this discussion, she explores the interplay between market structures and social justice, emphasizing the cultural and political influences on market outcomes. Neiman critiques the polarized narratives on markets and highlights case studies from Uganda and Cuba that showcase community-driven economic strategies. She argues for a broader understanding of justice in markets, touching on issues like racial capitalism and the necessity of labor protections.

Tamar Mitts, an associate professor at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, explores the pressing issue of moderating online extremism in her upcoming book, "Safe Havens for Hate." In this discussion, she reveals how varying moderation standards across social media platforms create exploitable safe havens for extremist groups. Mitts delves into the tactics these groups use to evade moderation and the emotional impact of bans on users. She also discusses the potential risks of unified content moderation efforts and identifies crucial areas for future research.

Elif Kalaycioglu, Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama and author focused on UNESCO's World Heritage, dives deep into the complexities of cultural history. She discusses how the World Heritage regime constructs various visions of humanity, often excluding marginalized voices. Kalaycioglu highlights the shift from viewing humanity as a single entity to recognizing its diversity and the growing influence of states in curating this narrative. She also addresses the regime's pitfalls and upcoming research on contested heritage sites.

Kenneth Roberts, a comparative politics scholar, discusses the nuances of democratic backsliding and the importance of institutional and societal resistance. Jennifer McCoy explores pernicious polarization and the necessity of coalition-building for effective democratic defense. Murat Somer outlines distinct pathways of backsliding, such as legislative capture and executive aggrandizement, underlining the need for tailored resistance strategies. Together, they emphasize the significance of awareness and community rebuilding to strengthen democracy in the face of challenges.

Peter Staudenmaier, a historian of environmental and political movements, dives into the controversial legacy of Garrett Hardin. They explore how Hardin's grim view on population and resources prompted drastic measures against capitalism and overconsumption. The conversation touches on Hardin's connections to eugenics, his anti-immigrant rhetoric, and how his theories, especially the 'Tragedy of the Commons,' influenced environmentalism across the political spectrum. Staudenmaier warns that Hardin's ideas still resonate with today's eco-right movements.

Join Kate Epstein, an associate professor at Rutgers University-Camden and author of Analog Superpowers, as she dives into the intriguing links between technology theft and the rise of the national-security state. She reveals how historical legal breaches drove innovation, the tensions between defense contractors and civil liberties, and the pivotal roles of battleships in military strategy. Their discussion highlights the complex dynamics of intellectual property and secrecy that shaped modern defense contracting and U.S.-British technology exchanges.