Department of Political Science

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.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains Biden's choice of John Kerry as his presidential climate envoy.

Brian Leung, PhD student in political science, is quoted in this article discussing the future of Hong Kong's democracy movement.

The governors of Iowa and North Dakota recently announced mandates that require people to wear masks in public. Both leaders previously resisted mask rules but issued them in the past week as daily COVID-19 cases spiked in their states, overrunning hospitals and intensive care units. Christopher Adolph, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

“The Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) is giving away $791 million to support climate action. Much of this money will go to well-established NGOs ... Yet, if BEF wants to change climate action’s playbook, it needs a new theory of change that tackles the key barrier to climate action. Funding these NGOs does not achieve this objective,” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

“The Bezos Earth Fund (BEF) is giving away $791 million to support climate action. Much of this money will go to well-established NGOs ... Yet, if BEF wants to change climate action’s playbook, it needs a new theory of change that tackles the key barrier to climate action. Funding these NGOs does not achieve this objective,” write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ initial round of nearly $800 million in climate-focused grants and investments aims to tackle emissions from the transportation, industrial and agriculture sectors, protect forests and other ecosystems, and address environmental justice and racial equity issues. More than half of the total first round of funds is going to major advocacy groups. Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

In this conversation, Associate Professor of political science and Adjunct Professor of law, societies Megan Ming Francis talks about mentorship, understanding the immense structures that shape our democracy and lives, asking important questions of our institutions and ourselves with the intention of making both better.

“The concept of ‘pay equity’ doesn’t just demand equal pay for women doing the same work as men, in the same positions. Such efforts, while worthwhile, ignore the role of occupational segregation in keeping women’s pay down: There are some jobs done mostly by women and others that are still largely the province of men. The latter are typically better paid,” writes Anna Louie Sussman. Michael McCann, professor of political science at the UW, is referenced.

Washington Republicans woke up after Election Day to a crushingly familiar math problem bedeviling their prospects in statewide races: a cratering of support in King County. The UW’s Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science, and Margaret O’Mara, professor of history, are quoted.

Christopher Parker, associate professor of social justice and political science, explains the role of race in the 2020 election in a UW panel on the topic.

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, talks about polarization in the 2020 race, the role of social media, how the results differed from expectations and what the election means for climate change.

According to a NBC News exit poll, not only did 91% of Black women vote for presidential nominee Joe Biden, Black women are behind a massive effort to ensure all people have access to vote. As Biden slid past President Donald Trump in Georgia, social media went crazy with mentions of Stacey Abrams. Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.