Political Science
Jon Green, Assistant Professor of Political Science, is not fully unpacked from the recent move to Durham. He and his pup, Lizzy, eagerly await the delivery of a dining room table. (Shaun King/Trinity Communications)The acrimonious and polarizing politics of the 2016 U.S. election cycle was a significant prompt for Jon Green’s first publication. It called for a “translational science of democracy” in which political scientists foster democratic health and citizens move from the passive… read more about Jon Green Bridging Politics and Methods »
Duke University and its Department of Political Science are strongly committed to advancing inclusive excellence through research, teaching, and service. A diverse faculty – defined broadly to cover identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints – is essential to learning and creativity within our scholarly community. To achieve this goal, all members of the community must feel valued and welcome, their contributions must be respected, and their voices must be heard. Every member of our community is expected to… read more about Open Faculty Positions in Duke's Department of Political Science »
Giovanna InvernizziA generation ago, a political scientist could be trained in one methodology and research one topic. For Giovanna Invernizzi that would be far from enough. The new assistant professor of Political Science employs formal theory, empirical analysis of novel data sets and controlled experiments to dive into some of political science’s most provocative topics, including party polarization, factional sabotage and the breakdown of norms of cooperation among legislators. During her… read more about Giovanna Invernizzi on Cooperation, Denunciation and Scandals »
More than two decades ago, Duke political science professor Peter Feaver and a colleague conducted a national study that found public confidence in the U.S. military was at a historic high, but the support was brittle and the factors driving it were trending downward. Their prediction: Public support for the U.S. military was likely destined for a significant decline. Their argument was central to one chapter in a book published in September 2001. That same month the deadly al-Qaeda attacks in the United States set in… read more about Thanks for Your Service: America’s Wide But Hallow Support for the Military »
The Duke political science department is proud to announce the continued growth of our scholarly community with the addition of five new researchers. Beginning in the fall of 2023, two new postdoctoral associates and three new junior faculty members will expand research and develop partnerships with our students and faculty. (from left to right) Nick Eubank and Jon Green and Giovanna InvernizziNicholas Eubank joins as Assistant Research Professor of Political Science. Eubank has coauthored in… read more about New Political Science Scholars Join in 2023 »
According to Timur Kuran, there isn’t a single democracy in the Middle East, which he defines as all 22 Arab states, plus Iran and Turkey. The region ranks below every other region in indices that measure political freedoms, civic life and religious freedoms. Many have claimed that Islam is the reason for the lack of democracy. But in “Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East” — Kuran’s seventh book, whose e-format will be released on July 20 — the Professor of Economics and Political… read more about Timur Kuran Explores the Political Impact of Islam on the Middle East in New Book »
According to Timur Kuran, there isn’t a single democracy in the Middle East, which he defines as all 22 Arab states, plus Iran and Turkey. The region ranks below every other region in indices that measure political freedoms, civic life and religious freedoms. Many have claimed that Islam is the reason for the lack of democracy. But in “Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East” — Kuran’s seventh book, whose e-format will be released on July 20 — the Professor of Economics and Political… read more about Timur Kuran Explores the Political Impact of Islam on the Middle East in New Book »
August Jared Clemons (Ph.D. '22) has received the best paper award from the APSA Education and Education Policy Section for his paper, “Education as Human Capital: The Racial Implications of the State-Driven Commodification of Public Education” Aidan Combs, Graham Tierney, Brian Guay, Friedolin Merhout, Christopher A. Bail, D. Sunshine Hillygus & Alexander Volfovsky. 2023. "Reducing political polarization in the United States with a mobile chat platform." Nature Human Behavior. Andrew Delios, Edmund… read more about Recent Scholarship and Milestones »
Thomas A. Spragens, Jr., Professor Emeritus, died peacefully at home on June 1st. He was 81 years old. Dr. Spragens was an undergraduate at Wesleyan University and came to Duke in 1963 as a Danforth Fellow to study Religion, but soon moved to Political Science where he studied primarily with John Hallowell, receiving his PhD in 1968 and joining the faculty in the same year. Tom was a Political Theorist who produced an impressive body of work. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters, he published eight books… read more about In Memory of Tom Spragens »
Jonah Perrin’s interest in politics began when he was in middle school. At 13, he recognized the financial inequities that plagued his and other teachers in North Carolina. They were dipping into their own pockets to pay for school supplies. To help them, he began making bracelets using his younger brother’s Rainbow Loom kit and sold them for $10 each. He raised about $720. The proceeds went to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools PTA Council. His story made the local paper. But his interest didn’t stop there: In high… read more about Class of 2023: Jonah Perrin on Four Years of Helping Duke Votes »
Ritika Saligram can be heard across campus and beyond, as a senior studying Political Science, History and Markets & Management Studies. Saligram helped plan an educational trip to Pearl Harbor for more than 30 Duke student and alumni in her role as co-chair of the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy. She is president of Duke’s oldest, most award-winning female acappella group, Out of the Blue. Her interests include security and conflict studies in Asia,… read more about Class of 2023: Ritika Saligram gives her voice to a senior year filled with challenges and hope »
When Curtis Bram was working in investment banking in Tokyo, he was not particularly focused on the trustworthiness of political institutions. But when he began his Ph.D. studies in the Duke Department of Political Science, he started thinking about what changes people expect politicians to deliver, where those expectations come from, and how they might be different. One theme in his research is the idea that people exaggerate the differences between themselves and their political opponents because of a psychological bias… read more about Class of 2023: Curtis Bram and Trustworthiness »
This year’s student commencement speakers will be Trinity senior Kyle-Brandon “KB” Denis and M.D./Ph.D. candidate Dylan Eiger. They will deliver welcome remarks at the university-wide ceremony at 9.a.m. Sunday, May 14, in Wallace Wade Stadium. Denis and Eiger were chosen from among more than 350 nominees. The selection committee reviewed nominations for students who have facilitated a welcoming community for their peers through seen and unseen leadership roles, impacted the greater Durham area through engagement with… read more about Student Speakers Selected for Commencement Ceremony »
Three exceptional ways of building a stronger community at Duke: Rabbi Elana Friedman heard from students that they wanted to have a single service that joined the traditions of the Reform, Conservative and other various movements of Judaism into shared religious celebrations. She helped bridge the differences to bring Duke’s diverse population of Jewish people together in spiritual community. Bijan Abar made mentorship and advising a core part of his work as a M.D./Ph.D. candidate in the School of Medicine and Pratt… read more about From the Moment They Arrived on Campus, Sullivan Award Winners Have Strengthened Community »
