Department of Political Science

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, explains why climate policy is lacking even amidst increasing evidence of its importance.

"Straight Talk Africa" explores whether investigating former leaders is good for democracy. James Long, associate professor of political science at the UW, is interviewed.

If the American labor movement is dead, nobody told Washington’s unions. While workers struggle amid a gig economy and union membership remains near a nationwide low, state legislators in recent years have passed more than 20 new labor-backed laws. Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

"Both New York and Seattle are in the process of electing their mayors. Because these cities are very liberal, the key election to watch for is the Democratic primary. Unless something unexpected were to occur between now and November, the candidate winning the Democratic primary will become the next mayor. In both cities, mayor hopefuls are focusing on crime, policing and homelessness. Climate change does not seem to be on their agendas. Why is this surprising?" write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

Every year, the U.S. Supreme Court, the nation’s highest court, issues several high-profile decisions that can have dramatic impacts on society. But much of what it does garners few headlines. Scott Lemieux, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

University of Washington Provost Mark A. Richards today announced Dianne Harris will become dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, beginning Sept. 1.

"J.D. Vance, author of the briefly relevant memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy,' is now running for the Republican nomination for the Ohio Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman. It’s a tough race, and Vance is starting well behind in the polls. Feeling the pressure, Vance felt compelled this past weekend to dredge up one of the most hackneyed clichés in the conservative playbook," writes Scott Lemieux, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW.

The UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, write about Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos: "The rich want to do stuff that the unwashed masses cannot: own the biggest yacht, the most expensive house, the masterpiece by a famous painter and so on. Add becoming an astronaut to the wish list ... Both [also] want to be recognized as climate leaders."

Aseem Prakash, professor of political science, discusses Amazon's climate pledge.

"In 2016, Donald Trump recruited voters with the highest levels of animosity toward African Americans, assembling a 'schadenfreude' electorate — voters who take pleasure in making the opposition suffer — that continues to dominate the Republican Party, even in the aftermath of the Trump presidency," writes columnist Thomas Edsall. Christopher Parker, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies has issued a new report, Puget Sound’s Fight for $15: Family Experiences and Policy Impacts of Increasing the Minimum Wage.

"On the last day of its current term, the Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts continued its war on voting rights with its decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee ... It is clear that this court will smile upon even the worst vote suppression efforts being undertaken by Republican legislatures in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen," writes Scott Lemieux, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW.

This week, watch a UW alum on NBC’s Making It, attend a discussion hosted by the Henry Art Gallery, and more.

"Trees can cushion urban areas from heat waves … This also means that trees reduce energy costs for running fans and air conditioners, a crucial issue for poor households that tend to spend a higher share of their household budgets on energy," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

This week, attend several museum exhibitions, the Indigenous walking tour, and more.