Reposted by John SidesRyan Enos @ryanenos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026One note about this, because I was curious: remarkably, the state-level explanatory power of Google searches for testosterone and Trump vote survives controls for education, income, and rurality. 1125680
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Does vote buying even work? Trump offered every American $5,000. But it might not help Republicans in November. Read the latest from @johnsides.bsky.social & Kenneth Greene: goodauthority.org/news/does-vo...goodauthority.orgDoes vote buying even work?Donald Trump's $5,000 midterm pledge raises a critical question: Can politicians actually buy votes effectively? Research by Kenneth Greene explains the big flaws in this approach. 064
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 15/09/2026I wrote a thing for @msnowreports.bsky.social about whether the Trump superPAC has waited to late to start spending to help the GOP in 2026. Based on what we know about whether earlier or later campaigning matters more, the answer is: probably not.ms.nowOpinion | Did Trump’s Super PAC wait too long to start funding GOP candidates?Despite the fears of some in his party, the president’s midterm spending strategy may work out. 050
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 13/08/2026How do people decide who’s deserving in politics? A lot of it comes down to partisanship. Read the latest by @johnsides.bsky.social here: goodauthority.org/news/how-peo...goodauthority.orgHow people decide who’s deserving in politicsIt turns out we're more likely to support policies that benefit people we assume share our political views. 095
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 06/08/2026As the chair of the Vanderbilt political science department, I can say that reports of our death are greatly exaggerated. 1100
Reposted by John SidesGeneva @genevavalerie.bsky.social · 31/07/2026If you're teaching political behavior, race and politics, or criminal justice in the fall, this is for you! My latest for @goodauth.bsky.social synthesizing some of the excellent literature on how carceral contact influences politics 👇 goodauthority.org/news/good-to...goodauthority.orgGood to Know: How contact with the carceral state affects our politicsCan direct and indirect contact with police and immigration enforcement officials influence political participation? 0126
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Very excited to welcome these new fellows to @goodauth.bsky.social! goodauthority.org/news/new-voi...goodauthority.orgNew voices join Good Authority in 2026We welcome nine political scientists to our team of experts in our latest cohort of Good Authority fellows. 1238
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Neat new APSR paper by my Vanderbilt colleague Alan Wiseman along with Volden, Treul, and Thomsen: "Legislative Effectiveness, Progressive Ambition, and Electoral Success." www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 0165
Reposted by John SidesChristopher Clary @claryc.bsky.social · 18/03/2026I think readers interested in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and US policy toward the region will want to stick around to the end of this conversation with Asfandyar Mir. 073
Reposted by John Sideseric gonzalez juenke @egojunk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Wrote about political scientists' favorite "Well, actually..." It's our favorite for a reason. With data from New Jersey's recent election. goodauthority.org/news/good-to...goodauthority.orgGood to Know: How composition effects can distort election narrativesCan elections reveal the public’s true opinions? It depends on who shows up to vote. 046
Reposted by John SidesColette @csmarcellin.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Excited to share that Cindy Kam’s and my article is published online! We examine item refusal pre- and post-Dobbs and find a significant increase in women’s refusal to disclose their pregnancy status after the decision, with concerning implications for research, policy, and women’s health. 03012
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 12/02/2026Women in Congress are wealthier than men in Congress. A new article looks at nearly 40 years of financial disclosures from members of Congress. See the data in the latest article from @johnsides.bsky.social: goodauthority.org/news/women-i...goodauthority.orgWomen in Congress are wealthier than men in CongressWomen in Congress are wealthier than men in Congress. A new article looks at nearly 40 years of financial disclosures from members of Congress. 064
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Fewer people think the American dream is alive – but they disagree on why. A new book argues that politics influences how we explain inequality. Read the latest from @johnsides.bsky.social: goodauthority.org/news/fewer-p...goodauthority.orgFewer people think the American dream is alive – but they disagree on whyFewer people think the American dream is alive – but they disagree on why. A new book argues that politics influences how we explain inequality. 145
Reposted by John SidesDrew Engelhardt @amengel.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Interesting AmericasBarometer result from @johnsides.bsky.social in this week's @goodauth.bsky.social newsletter. Strong public willingness to trade features of democracy (free elections, free expression) for material and physical security, with some party differences. mailchi.mp/goodauthorit... 182615
Reposted by John SidesSol Messing @solmg.bsky.social · 04/02/2026Here's the post on Good Authority! Thanks @goodauth.bsky.social @johnsides.bsky.social & Vanessa Lide! goodauthority.org/news/was-the...goodauthority.orgWas there censorship on TikTok after the U.S. takeover?A TikTok outage more likely explains recent anomalies – there’s no evidence of larger platform changes so far. 1274
Reposted by John SidesElizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 20/01/2026📣📣📣Announcing...Chalkboard Politics @chalkboardpolitics.bsky.social, a podcast by students, for students (and their teachers). Written, edited, and mixed by the students at @siwpscolumbia.bsky.social and distributed by @goodauth.bsky.social. 1/ www.podbean.com/media/share/... 27231
Reposted by John SidesChristopher Clary @claryc.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Happy to listen and learn from Brian Greenhill on Trump's withdrawal from dozens of international organizations last week, @goodauth.bsky.social . Part of what Brian calls the liberal international order's "moment of crisis." goodauthority.org/news/trump-p...goodauthority.orgTrump plans to pull the U.S. out of dozens of organizationsTrump plans to pull the U.S. out of dozens of organizations. Brian Greenhill discusses the impact of this move – and how Americans see international organizations. 155
Reposted by John SidesHeather Sullivan @hsulli.bsky.social · 08/01/2026The admin is proposing indefinite control of Venezuelan oil, but evidence suggests that Venezuelan cooperation will only extend as far as it‘s coerced - and can’t extend past what the crumbing infrastructure can generate. Meanwhile ordinary Venezuelans continue to suffer. @goodauth.bsky.social 087
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 07/01/2026The Vanderbilt Dept of Political Science is looking for two post-doctoral scholars in national security for 2026-27. Please apply or encourage others to apply! apply.interfolio.com/179844apply.interfolio.com Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio 0910
Reposted by John SidesChristopher Clary @claryc.bsky.social · 05/01/2026I’ve learned much from @jeffcolgan.bsky.social over the years and his take on Trump’s Venezuela antics is well worth reading. goodauthority.org/news/trump-m...goodauthority.orgTrump made a clear choice: return to petro-imperialismTrump made a clear choice: return to petro-imperialism. To understand what just happened in Venezuela, look at oil politics and U.S. foreign policy. 394
Reposted by John SidesElizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 03/01/2026Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address. First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it. 1/ 25684293
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 31/12/2025"And with that, the 2025 season comes to an end..." Here are Good Authority's top 10 articles of the year. goodauthority.org/news/good-au... A super thread 🧵goodauthority.orgGood Authority’s top 10 posts of 2025Thermostatic politics, democracy under attack, Venezuela, South Africa, and more – the analysis Good Authority readers counted on in 2025. 1126
Reposted by John SidesJan Zilinsky @janzilinsky.bsky.social · 12/12/2025My latest for @goodauth.bsky.social goodauthority.org/news/what-we... 0104
Reposted by John SidesStephen Maynard Caliendo @smcaliendo.bsky.social · 07/12/2025If you are a member of @apsa.bsky.social, please consider putting forward a nominee for the annual Carey McWilliams Award. This year, I am serving on the committee with Dr. @johnsides.bsky.social and Dr. Erika Franklin Fowler. Past award winners include @jamellebouie.net (2025). More info below. 132
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 04/12/2025This is a bad survey question that likely exaggerates any Holocaust skepticism. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/... www.jstor.org/stable/26952... 98316
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 22/11/2025I'm chairing the APSA Carey McWilliams Prize Committee. This prize goes to someone who has made "a major journalistic contribution to our understanding of politics." More information is here: apsanet.org/programs/aps... We would be grateful for people to submit nominations!apsanet.orgCarey McWilliams Award - American Political Science Association (APSA)Carey McWilliams Award Carey McWilliams Award Nominations now open. The McWilliams Award honors a major journalistic contribution to our understanding of 0126
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 15/11/2025The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions is now acceptable applications for the 2026-27 year. Please share and encourage people to apply! Post Doctoral application apply.interfolio.com/177609 Visiting Scholar application apply.interfolio.com/177613 089
Reposted by John SidesHenry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 06/11/2025us12.campaign-archive.com?u=6a195a173a... this by @johnsides.bsky.social at @goodauth.bsky.social seems exactly right to me.us12.campaign-archive.comNew evidence on whether moderate candidates do better in elections 171
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 13/11/2025Have our personal networks become more politically segregated? New research looks at the consequences for political participation and political tolerance. @johnsides.bsky.social breaks down the data here: goodauthority.org/news/have-ou...goodauthority.orgHave our personal networks become more politically segregated?New research looks at the consequences for political participation and political tolerance. 144
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 06/10/2025Under Biden, there was no thermostatic shift in public opinion about the size of government. The public stayed relatively liberal. Take attitudes toward the government's role in health care: 23311
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 03/09/2025Imagine asking people two questions -- whether each of these is a good or bad way to run a govt: 1) having a democratic political system 2) having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections What percent says *both* are good? 44%! 1411034
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 02/09/2025Three new publications from Vanderbilt political science faculty! First up, Diana Lee and @yamilrvelez.bsky.social, "Measuring Descriptive Representation at Scale: Methods for Predicting the Race and Ethnicity of Public Officials." www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 240
Reposted by John SidesG Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 31/07/2025thermostat go click-click-click 614625
Reposted by John SidesPhil Klinkner @pklinkne.bsky.social · 29/07/2025Just like in his 1st term, Trump is going to hover around 40% approval. As @johnsides.bsky.social et al point out in their 2020 election book, Trump always sides with his base rather than choose policies with broader appeal. When you only aim to satisfy 40% of the population, you get 40% approval. 1199
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 27/07/2025Some more great new research from Vandy polisci faculty! Peter Schram in International Organization, "Conflicts that Leave Something to Chance." www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 030
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 15/07/2025The popularity of ICE is plunging. goodauthority.org/news/america...goodauthority.orgICE’s popularity is plunging.ICE’s budget is skyrocketing, but more and more Americans view the agency unfavorably. 0296
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 04/07/2025I worked with E.J. for many years and highly recommend her for any academic looking to polish their writing and reach a larger audience! 092
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 01/07/2025For @goodauth.bsky.social, I updated the affective polarization trend using the newly released 2024 ANES. Here's the graph. A few important points... 1132
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 21/06/2025And while I'm at it, a THIRD piece in the AJPS from Vanderbilt polisci faculty came out yesterday -- this one by my colleagues @BradSmithUNC and Peter Bils: "The Logic of Secret Alliances" onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 070
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 21/06/2025Somehow I neglected to mention a SIXTH APSR by Vanderbilt polisci faculty. This one, by Jorge Mangonnet et al., is now out and formally forthcoming in 2026! "Family Ties, Social Control, and Authoritarian Distribution to Elites" www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 130
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 20/06/2025There’s so much interesting research coming from Vanderbilt political science faculty. As dept chair, it is a pleasure to highlight a bunch of it. First, up, @trounstine.bsky.social and Sarah Anzia in the @apsrjournal.bsky.social on civil service adoption: www.cambridge.org/core/journal... 1162
Reposted by John SidesSarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Congress was hiding in plain sight 🤓. Join me & @johnsides.bsky.social for Episode 2 of @goodauth.bsky.social's Where's Congress? We consider the big (yes), beautiful (eye of beholder) bill House GOP are trying to pass thru House --Senate GOP views be damned (for now) www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR... 084
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 13/05/2025In the latest episode of "Where's Congress?" for @goodauth.bsky.social, @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I discuss the Big Beautiful Bill (TM). Learn what's different about this bill and the politics that are complicating is bigness and beauty. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...youtube.comGood Authority Podcast | Where's Congress? Episode 2 | John Sides & Sarah BinderYouTube video by Good Authority 040
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 28/04/2025Americans are more pro-choice than people think. Two studies show that both elected leaders and voters overestimate Americans' conservatism on abortion. New from me @goodauth.bsky.social. goodauthority.org/news/the-chr...goodauthority.orgThe chronic misperception of Americans’ abortion attitudes.Leaders and voters think Americans are more conservative than they are. 25822
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 23/04/2025This, by @tesler.bsky.social, is looking more prescient everyday. goodauthority.org/news/why-dem...goodauthority.orgWhy Democrats should keep talking about immigrationDemocrats can once again turn immigration into a losing issue for Trump. 49125
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 19/04/2025Shifts to Trump from 2020-24 are not just a story about the youngest voters or about the youngest men. They are a story about shifts among *men and women* who are *under 40*. 1,000 takes on the youngest men. Virtually zero on everyone else. 1248
Reposted by John SidesGood Authority @goodauth.bsky.social · 15/04/2025What tools do Democrats have to do anything in Congress? The full episode with @johnsides.bsky.social and @sarahbinder.bsky.social is out now on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/goodauth... 062
Reposted by John SidesSarah Binder @sarahbinder.bsky.social · 11/04/2025We're live with "Where's Congress?" 🤓🤓 Got topics or questions you'd like me and @johnsides.bsky.social to tackle in future @goodauth.bsky.social episodes? Send them along! 063
John Sides @johnsides.bsky.social · 11/04/2025So @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I inaugurated a new regular feature for @goodauth.bsky.social: "Where's Congress?" We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...youtube.comGood Authority Podcast | Where's Congress? | John Sides & Sarah BinderYouTube video by Good Authority 11910