Punishment for the people
Professor Lily Tsai’s new book explains how “retributive justice,” the high-profile sanctioning of some in society, helps authoritarians solidify public support.
Department
Political Science
Citizens emerge from the slums
PhD student Ying Gao's research reveals that the urban poor in the developing world are politically engaged and capable of effecting change.
MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences welcomes six new faculty
New professors join Comparative Media Studies/Writing, Economics, Literature, Philosophy, and Political Science.
Data flow’s decisive role on the global stage
New research by political science PhD candidate Meicen Sun illuminates the broad economic and political impacts of internet restrictions.
New views of autocracy emerge from historic archives
Political science PhD student Emilia Simison has found that despotic regimes vary, and the move to democracy doesn’t necessarily guarantee policy change.
What’s the next chapter in Afghanistan?
A panel of foreign-policy experts surveys the uncertainties facing the country as it returns to Taliban rule.
How authoritarian leaders maintain support
Study finds public anticorruption campaigns bolster leaders, even when such measures lack tangible results.
3 Questions: David Kaiser and Julie Shah on social and ethical responsibilities of computing
Advancing the study and practice of thinking responsibly in computing education, research, and implementation.
Making voting easier for previously incarcerated people
People rarely vote after being incarcerated. Associate Professor Ariel White wonders what can be done about it.
Inaugural fund supports early-stage collaborations between MIT and Jordan
MIT-Jordan Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Seed Fund winners announced.
Study finds lockdowns effective at reducing travel in Sierra Leone
MIT researchers use cell tower data to show that movement during Covid-19-related lockdowns declined the most in wealthier areas with more people.
Governance innovation boot camp culminates in pitch night
Civil servants from Sierra Leone present ideas developed at a boot camp organized by MIT Governance Lab and Sierra Leone’s Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Melissa Nobles named MIT’s next chancellor
Dean of SHASS will move to senior academic post overseeing student life at the Institute.
Six MIT SHASS educators receive 2021 Levitan Teaching Awards
Honors outstanding success in teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
Searching for truth in data from authoritarian regimes
PhD student Minh Trinh studies misreporting of government statistics and the effect on accountability in his home country of Vietnam.