New Books in Political Science

David Pozen, a Columbia Law School professor, discusses the disastrous impact of the war on drugs in terms of money, efficacy, and human rights. He explores the historic legal battles in the 1960s, where lawyers argued for liberalized drug policies based on the Constitution. Pozen advocates for a balanced approach combining public health strategies with legal actions to prevent punitive drug laws.

Dana Gorzelany-Mostak discusses how US presidential candidates use music to shape their identities, connect with voters, and convey messages. Examples include Bill Clinton and Barack Obama engaging with popular music to signal race and cultural competency. The podcast explores Ben Carson's failed music strategy, a female candidate's use of hip-hop to reshape her image, and the impact of sister duo Camille and Haley's song during the 2020 Trump campaign, challenging traditional norms in political music.

Narendra Modi discusses the upcoming 2024 Indian elections and the state of Indian democracy with Kenneth Bo Nielsen, Arild Engelsen Ruud, and Francesca Jensenius. They explore the challenges of engaging voters, Modi's popularity amidst concerns, and the potential impacts of his victory on Indian politics.

Boubacar N'Diaye discusses his book on military leaders in Mauritania, exploring challenges faced, historical relationships with neighboring countries, legacy of slavery, military coups, corruption, and insights on writing about African politics.

Author Matt Qvortrup discusses 'The Political Brain' revealing how fMRI scans can predict behavior. They explore the influence of fear and emotions in politics, the balance between politics and policy, and the power of listening and learning for societal harmony.

Anu Bradford, author of 'Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology,' discusses the rivalry among the US, China, and the EU in regulating tech giants. The podcast explores the challenges and successes of European regulations, the global battles in the tech sector, and contrasts between European and American tech regulation strategies. The discussion delves into the nuances of tech regulation, the impact on innovation, and the struggle to balance freedom of expression with combating disinformation.

Charlotte Galpin and Verena Brändle discuss how social media's business model impacts democracy, driving polarization, undermining traditional media, and promoting extreme content. They explore the challenges of regulating social media, migration campaigns, and the unintentional radicalization facilitated by online platforms.

Michael J. Graetz, author of 'The Power to Destroy', discusses how the antitax movement has hijacked America by promoting false economic claims and racist rhetoric. The movement has attacked the IRS, protected tax loopholes, and pushed for tax cuts, leading to increased debt and inequality. Graetz argues that this movement threatens the nation's social safety net and weakens the US financially.

Authors Rogers M. Smith and Desmond King discuss the new era of polarized racial policy disputes in America, with conservatives aiming to 'protect' traditional values and progressives seeking to 'repair' systemic racism. They delve into the influence of two rival racial policy alliances, the challenges faced by the repair coalition, and the potential outcomes of these sharply opposed visions on America's future.

Ahmed M. Abozaid discusses his book on the Arab Uprising in Egypt, emphasizing the importance of non-Western perspectives and decolonizing International Relations. The podcast explores the challenges of representing diverse perspectives, the author's writing process, theoretical gaps in international relations, reflections on the Egyptian Uprising in Upper Egypt, Egypt's foreign policy post-revolutions, and engagement with Arabic audiences for scholarly projects.