Department of Political Science

“For [Milton] Friedman, managers are agents who work on behalf of owners: their principals. Because all shareholders want to maximize their return on investments, the Friedman logic goes that managers have a duty to focus solely on profit maximization. Should, then, managers support climate actions in response to stakeholders’ pressure?” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW; Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW; and Jennifer Griffin of Loyola University Chicago.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains recent protests by Indian farmers.

“India has enacted new laws that lift restrictions on where and to whom farmers can sell their crops. Why then are Indian farmers protesting instead of celebrating their new economic freedom?” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

“[MacKenzie] Scott and [Jeff] Bezos are not impulsive philanthropists. Their advisors have pored over lots of data to identify the beneficiaries. Yet, they fund different causes and organizations. Why so and what does this reveal about their priorities?” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, discusses the differences between MacKenzie Scott's and Jeff Bezos' philanthropic efforts.

Washington state’s Electoral College gave President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris their votes in Olympia today. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

“President-elect Biden’s July 2020 climate plan outlined a zero emission pledge. States, such as California and Washington, and companies, such as Microsoft and Google, have also announced net-zero emission pledges. But there is a catch,” write the UW’s Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs; Aseem Prakash, professor of political science; and Inhwan Ko, a doctoral student in political science.

Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, comments on the antitrust lawsuits against Facebook, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, comments on Amazon's Climate Pledge.

Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, talks about the significance of the selection of General Lloyd Austin as U.S. Defense Secretary.

Amazon added to the roster of those signing onto its Climate Pledge initiative Wednesday, as the e-commerce giant works to build support for a corporate environmental agreement that critics say does little to detail efforts to reduce emissions. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

This week at the UW, attend the online This is Beethoven festival, join Ann Poulson, the Henry Art Gallery’s Associate Curator of Collections, for a Re/frame event, and more.

President Trump on Wednesday released a 46-minute videotaped speech on Facebook including a series of wild claims urging people not to accept the election results. Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science at the UW, is referenced.

Of the 2020 election, George Washington University’s Steven Livingston and W. Lance Bennett, professor emeritus of political science at the UW, write, “Not only did Republicans hold the Senate — at least until the January runoff for both of Georgia’s Senate seats is decided — they gained seats in the House and strengthened their grip on state legislatures. It seems that rather than die, conservative political parties evolve. The question is: Evolve into what?”

A federal appointment for Gov. Inslee would set off a cascade of political moves here in his home state. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, has received the 2020 Elinor Ostrom Career Achievement Award for his work in political science.