Government’s invisible hand in developing countries
Political scientist Noah Nathan’s new book, “The Scarce State,” explores the deep impact government can have even when it is seemingly absent.
Study offers a new view of when and how governments distribute land
In Kenya, property rights are granted more often by democratic regimes than by autocrats — but decisions tend to be politically motivated regardless of who’s in charge.
Illuminating the money trail
MIT political scientist In Song Kim shines a bright light on the dark art of political lobbying.
MIT student Malhaar Agrawal named 2023 Truman Scholar
Fellowship provides funding for graduate school and recognizes future public service leaders.
Tom Wolf PhD ’81: Government is a common endeavor from which all can benefit
Receiving the Robert A. Muh award, the former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf calls for a greater sense of collective purpose in politics.
Assessing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, after a year of war
MIT event examines effects of the war on domestic politics and daily life in both Ukraine and Russia.
Why 1968 still matters
Professor Heather Hendershot’s new book about that year’s Democratic National Convention explores how anger at the media became part of our culture wars.
Energy, war, and the crisis in Ukraine
An expert panel examines the implications of energy use and energy policy during Russia’s invasion.
Urbanization: No fast lane to transformation
Associate Professor Noah Nathan is generating a body of scholarship on the political impacts of urbanization throughout the global South.
Why the 2022 elections might determine the future of democracy in the US
In a recent discussion, individuals from around MIT describe why every vote in state and local elections matters.
Jung Jae Kwon: Questioning the nuclear umbrella
Dissatisfied with security guarantees from the US, America’s junior allies want greater control over their own defenses.
Forging political alliances through supply chains
International firms sharing production networks lobby together to secure favorable trade conditions.
Tipping the balance between global rivals
John David Minnich seeks to understand how trade policies fueled China’s rise and continue to determine geopolitical winners and losers.
Economists weigh a new approach to unemployment insurance
Study suggests automatically starting benefits at the outset of a recession would remove uncertainty for workers.
A new board game highlights the colonized experience
Departing from games that glorify European conquest, “Promesa” helps players understand Puerto Rico as a modern-day colony.