New Books in Political Science
New Books Network
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 31, 2026 • 36min
Nathan Munier, "Zimbabwe's Diamond Trade: The State, Resource Politics and Development" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Dr. Nathan Munier, political scientist and author of Zimbabwe's Diamond Trade, studies resource politics and African political economy. He recounts Zimbabwe’s 2006 diamond surge and how portable alluvial gems reshaped ownership and smuggling. He explores shifting buyers and limits of the Kimberley Process. He links diamond control to regime resilience and compares regional resource politics.
Jan 31, 2026 • 45min
Blair Kelley, "Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class" (LIveright, 2023)
Dr. Blair L.M. Kelley, Joel R. Williamson Distinguished Professor of Southern Studies and author of Black Folk, blends family memoir and archival research. She spotlights laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic and postal workers. Conversations cover how Black labor built institutions, reshaped unions and policy, and forged community and resistance.
Jan 28, 2026 • 60min
Betty Boyd Caroli, "A Slumless America: Mary K. Simkhovitch and the Dream of Affordable Housing" (Oxford UP, 2026)
Betty Boyd Caroli, historian and biographer of American social history, tells the life of Mary K. Simkhovitch, a settlement-house leader and early public housing advocate. They explore Greenwich House, Simkhovitch’s turn from European study to housing reform, her role in early federal housing policy, and the design and legacy of New Deal public housing projects.
Jan 27, 2026 • 46min
Colette Einfeld and Helen Sullivan, "How to Conduct Interpretive Research: Insights for Students and Researchers" (Edward Elgar, 2025)
Helen Sullivan, a public policy dean and interpretive research scholar, and Colette Einfeld, a postdoc and former supervisee focused on methods for early-career researchers. They talk about why they co-edited a book, choosing diverse contributors, defining interpretive research, embracing messiness and emotion, learning interpretive language, and hopes for the field’s future and AI’s role.
Jan 22, 2026 • 55min
Democracy and Its Inter-Connections
Laura Chinchilla, the former President of Costa Rica and a prominent political scientist, delves into the urgent challenges facing democracy today. She discusses the interconnected threats of disinformation and eroding institutions while emphasizing the pivotal role of youth in defending democratic values. Highlighting the importance of education and civic engagement, Chinchilla advocates for women's leadership qualities and the need for international cooperation. Her optimism about younger generations showcases their potential to rejuvenate democracy and drive positive change.
Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 23min
Yunus Emre Ozigci, "NATO’s Meaning and Existence: Within the Interstate Intersubjectivity" (Vernon Press, 2026)
Yunus Emre Ozigci is a diplomat and political scientist with a focus on phenomenology in international relations. He delves into NATO's identity, arguing it's trapped in bureaucratic inertia while grappling with modern crises, particularly in relation to Russia. Ozigci uniquely applies philosophical tools to shape NATO’s meaning beyond military might, emphasizing shared identity among member states. He critiques traditional theories, advocating for a deeper understanding of collective norms and the authentic convergence needed for NATO’s future.
Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 26min
Duncan Kelly, "Worlds of Wartime: The First World War and the Reconstruction of Modern Politics" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Duncan Kelly, a Politics Professor at the University of Cambridge, dives deep into his book exploring the intersection of the First World War and modern political thought. He discusses how wartime crises reshaped ideas from nationalism to Marxism and critiques the philosophical narratives that emerged. Kelly connects revolutionary movements across continents, from Ireland to India, while also examining the shift from open imperialism to closed geopolitics. He outlines how Wilsonian liberalism faced racial critiques, drawing links to modern economic thought and future projects.
Jan 17, 2026 • 56min
A. Mechele Dickerson, "The Middle-Class New Deal: Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream" (U California Press, 2026)
A. Mechele Dickerson is a renowned law professor specializing in bankruptcy and economic disparities. She reveals how policies since the 1980s have eroded middle-class stability, proposing a comprehensive agenda to revive upward mobility. Dickerson emphasizes the crucial roles of education and housing affordability, pinpointing how tax changes and labor market shifts have further marginalized lower-income families. She shares personal stories and bold ideas, like repurposing public assets, to create a 21st-century Middle-Class New Deal.
4 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 42min
Michael J. Illuzzi, "Mending the Nation: Reclaiming We The People in a Populist Age" (UP of Kansas, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, Michael J. Illuzzi, an assistant professor and author, dives into his book on American peoplehood. He explores the contrasting narratives of 'mending' vs. 'bleaching' stories, illustrating how historical perspectives influence modern identity. Key case studies include Abraham Lincoln's refounding of American identity and Fred Hampton's coalition-building efforts. Illuzzi emphasizes the urgency of embracing inclusive narratives to counter current political divides, shedding light on the importance of storytelling in shaping national identity.
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 15min
Moritz Föllmer, "The Quest for Individual Freedom: A Twentieth-Century European History" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Moritz Föllmer, an Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam and an expert on Weimar and Nazi Germany, dives deep into the concept of individual freedom in the 20th century. He discusses the complex nature of freedom amid two world wars and evolving societal norms. Föllmer critiques simplistic narratives about individuality, explores the paradox of war creating new avenues for independence, and highlights tensions between personal freedoms and state control. He also connects modern populism to historical perceptions of freedom, making the topic as relevant today as ever.
