Political science

That ’70s showIn a new book, journalist and MIT fellow Christian Caryl recounts the epoch-shaping political, religious and economic upheavals launched in the year 1979.

The solar duel: China vs. the United StatesMIT researchers warn of the risks a trade war could create for the solar industry.

Melissa Nobles: Taking full account of the pastMIT political science professor examines ways societies confront histories of racial and ethnic injustice

How to make factory conditions betterAfter years of research into global production systems, an MIT political scientist is convinced that government, not just the private sector, must help keep workers safe.

China and Japan remain miles apart on uninhabited islesAt MIT event, diplomats and scholars reinforce high stakes, lack of progress on Asian territorial dispute.

Sizing up Japan, after the disasterMIT political scientist examines Japanese stasis after nuclear meltdown at Fukushima.

The science of politicsJens Hainmueller looks for experiments to answer tough political questions.

Policy matters in the Middle EastPhD student Brian Haggerty's work becomes part of foreign policy debate on Syria

Nate Silver presents forecasting work as antidote to ‘terrible’ political punditsIn MIT talk, celebrated election forecaster offers critique of media, advice to students and hints about his future projects.

MIT report identifies keys to new American innovationFrom ‘Main Street’ firms to multinationals, improvements possible in funding of research, collaboration among manufacturers.

When opportunity meets preparationPolitical science PhD student Laura Chirot examines industrial policy in late developing countries.

3 Questions: Charles Stewart ranks the voting systems in the 50 statesA new Pew Center project, spurred by MIT research, studies how well states run their elections.

Why some immigrants get citizenshipStudy: Country of origin a 'massive disadvantage' for some immigrants, regardless of qualifications.

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.