Political Science

Richard Nielsen’s book, “Deadly Clerics: Blocked Ambition and the Paths to Jihad,” finds a certain portion of Muslim clerics who end up advocating for jihad — war against Islam’s foes — started out as mainstream clerics looking for state-sponsored jobs where they could use their intellectual training, only to become unemployed, disenchanted, and radicalized.

Why some Muslim clerics become jihadists

In his new book, political scientist Richard Nielsen proposes a “blocked ambition” hypothesis.

November 9, 2017

"A lot of good things have happened" since the 2000 election, said Charles Stewart III, the Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science. Those good things including better voting machines, modernized registration systems, and an increase in the professionalization of election administration.

Mens et Manus America examines election integrity

Political scientists Charles Stewart III and Eitan D. Hersh offer insights on data, technology, and election security in an era of rising concern.

October 30, 2017

“I found diaries from 7th grade where I asked a whole stream of questions about the universe and the ‘edge of the universe’ and its expansion,” says senior Talia Weiss.

Bridging the science-policy divide

For MIT senior Talia Weiss, physics and theater have provided a springboard for new interests in political science.

October 17, 2017

With International Policy Lab support, MIT Associate Professor Noelle Selin (third from left) led a delegation of MIT researchers to the first conference on the Minamata Convention on Mercury. There, the team disseminated mercury science policy briefs developed with IPL support. The team members, as pictured here: (l-r) Boston University Associate Professor Henrik Selin, Dartmouth College Research...

International Policy Lab issues new call for proposals

The IPL provides funding and policy outreach support to help MIT faculty and researchers connect with the policy world.

October 12, 2017

Left to right: Vipin Narang, associate professor of political science and a member of the Security Studies Program; Jim Walsh, senior research associate at the Security Studies Program; and Taylor Fravel, associate professor of political science, a member of the Security Studies Program, and acting director of the MIT Center for International Studies.

Nuclear and present danger

MIT security experts discuss how to lower tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

October 4, 2017

Ketian Zhang, the daughter of Chinese Communist Party officials, studies Chinese foreign policy at MIT from a unique dual perspective.

Probing the behavior of an international bully

Political science doctoral student Ketian Zhang sheds light on China's use of coercion in foreign policy, hoping to span a deep divide.

October 4, 2017

2017 Phi Beta Kappa Society inductees (l-r) Abdullah Alsalloum, Rachel Osmundsen, and Nagisa Taxifar show off their certificates of membership.

High (achieving) society

The MIT chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society inducts 74 distinguished graduates of the Class of 2017.

September 15, 2017

"I’ve been fortunate to have great graduate students from the day I got here, and I’m very proud of how they’ve done," Vipin Narang says.

Making sense of nuclear threats

MIT political scientist Vipin Narang explains the strategies of new nuclear powers.

September 11, 2017

MIT Professor Evan Lieberman, the Total Chair on Contemporary Africa, has created the Department of Political Science's first online course through MITx.

Political science debuts on MITx

New online course takes a deep dive into democracy in Africa.

August 25, 2017

Investigating the dynamics of war and peace

Erik Sand brings a perspective shaped by eight years of service in the U.S. Navy to his doctoral studies.

August 7, 2017

New research finds certain aspects of how state-level renewable portfolio standards are designed and presented can set people’s minds for or against such policies — and that in this arena, public opinion does influence policymaking. For example, learning that a renewable energy policy will likely create several thousand jobs led to a significant increase in supporters of that policy.

Bolstering public support for state-level renewable energy policies

Analysis shows the design and framing of renewable energy policies can strengthen public support — or opposition.

June 30, 2017

Officers surround honorable guest Air Force General Darren W. McDew (at center) and MIT President Rafael L. Reif during the 2017 commissioning ceremony for the MIT’s Reserve Officers Training Corps. More than 12,000 officers have been commissioned from MIT since the program’s origin, and more than 150 have reached the rank of general or admiral.

After MIT, new officers will serve their country

Following their MIT studies, graduates in MIT’s Reserve Officer Training Corps set off on new challenges in the U.S. military.

June 16, 2017

Associate professor of political science Vipin Narang specializes in nuclear security, proliferation, and deterrence.

Vipin Narang: On the brinkmanship beat

Department of Political Science assistant professor studies the strategic use of nuclear force as global tensions threaten to reach the boiling point.

May 24, 2017

"It is remarkable that we do not measure the costs of war in any meaningful way," says John Tirman, executive director and principal research scientist of the MIT Center for International Studies. "I suggest that Congress establish a conflict impact assessment during or after each war to bring home the true costs of armed conflict."

3 Questions: How political science contributes to national policies on immigration and military conflict

Political theorist John Tirman discusses immigration and identity, and measuring the true costs of war.

May 22, 2017

At a recent MIT Mens et Manus America event, scholars presented political science and sociological research about the impact of rumors, falsehoods, and misinformation on America's political process.

Mens et Manus America examines the politics of misinformation

Adam Berinsky and Ezra Zuckerman Sivan present research on rumors and falsehoods in U.S. politics.