Political science

Said and Done for November/December 2012Digest of humanities, arts and social sciences

Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political scienceMikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.

Devin Caughey: Straddling the divide between qualitative and quantitative eras of political science

How civil wars evolveMIT political scientist’s book shows how even the bloodiest conflicts feature pragmatic alliances — not just ancient sectarian divisions.

Explained: Margin of errorWhen you hear poll results reported with a certain margin of error, that’s only part of the story.

F. Daniel Hidalgo: it’s electricThe influence of electronic ballots on democracy in the developing world

The state of the U.S. election systemNew report from MIT and Caltech notes gains in voting-machine technologies, but warns they could be cancelled out by errors introduced through mail and Internet voting.

Christopher Warshaw: Mapping a Democracy

3 Questions: Charles Stewart sizes up the 2012 electionMIT political scientist and voting expert weighs in on the state of the presidential campaign, the shifting demographics of America, and the tossup U.S. Senate races.

Said and Done for September 2012Digest of MIT humanities, arts, and social sciences.

3 Questions: Violence and protests in the Muslim worldMIT political scientist Fotini Christia talks about the attacks on U.S. and Western embassies in North Africa and the Middle East.

3 Questions: Andrea Campbell interprets the Supreme Court’s health care decisionA political scientist whose work was cited in one justice’s opinion weighs in on the ruling and its implications.

Frank Stanton Chair in Nuclear Security Policy Studies established in Department of Political ScienceEndowed chair established with a gift of $5 million from the Stanton Foundation

Josh Shifrinson: decline of power playMilitary strategy for a declining United States in a complex world

Andrea Campbell: Public opinion and policy viewed through an historical lensProfessor studies taxation, Social Security, health insurance and more.

If the people will lead …At an MIT panel on the future of black politics, scholars discuss the need for civic engagement at a time of economic stress.

Political science PhD candidate Christopher Clary helping to shape U.S. defense policy

3 Questions: Adam Berinsky on the unpredictable GOP campaignPolitical scientist who studies public opinion assesses a campaign with wildly fluctuating polls.

Jens Hainmueller: A 'numbers' guy takes on pressing public policy issuesPolitical science associate professor ties together qualitative and quantitative ways of thinking about politics and society.

MIT faculty see promise in American manufacturingStudy group is tackling hard questions about what it will take to stoke renewal.

3 Questions: Stephen Van Evera on the withdrawal from IraqA look at the prospects for peace as U.S. troops leave.

DARPA administrators: Just make itAgency Director Regina Dugan and Deputy Director Ken Gabriel speak about revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

Bridging the divideNew study shows how integrated institutions can lead diverse populations to cooperate in rebuilding countries.

The new NSE strategyStrengthens core, opens boundaries; seeks better integration of technical and societal issues.

Allen Lin ’11, MEng ’11 named Marshall ScholarRecent alum will hone interests in policy, synthetic biology through study in the United Kingdom.

MIT delegation attends Singaporean university’s groundbreakingFive-day, three-nation Asian trip includes meetings with Institute friends and collaborators.

Taylor Fravel decodes China’s foreign policyA political scientist analyzes the decisions of a world power.

3 Questions: Michael Piore on labor disputes at the ballot boxLabor economist sizes up the impact and meaning of this week’s high-profile Ohio referendum to restore collective bargaining rights for public employees.