Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Ctrl-F “school closures” <Not found> Wild to devote part of this feature to Emanuel’s education policies while overlooking the fact that he did not run for re-election as mayor partially because of the public backlash that came from closing 50 public schools, which largely impacted Black children. 010
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Hopping on the “New York City sky tonight” trend. 020
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I have spent a lot of time waiting in Lincoln Center for my partner to be released from rehearsals at the Met. It is not uncommon to hear people walk by and say things like “I’ve always wanted to see an opera, but it’s too expensive.” 130
Reposted by Matt Nelsen[Christopher M. Federico] @chrispps.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I'd go further: at this point, the NYT and other mainstream journalistic outlets -- given their business-related need to continuously ship both-sides polarization porn -- are doing way more than El-Sayed is to keep Piker relevant and make him a more influential figure than he otherwise might be 450092
Reposted by Matt NelsenHakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026One of my big academic rules: only write papers you really care about on topics you really care about. I try to follow this rule 99% of the time. This paper is one of the best examples of that, and I’m stoked it’s one step closer to being in the world. We’ve corrected proofs & you’ll have it soon! 1145388
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026I'm excited to share that my newest article, "A DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education," is now available open access at @journalrep.bsky.social @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org. The work situates Du Bois as a central thinker in understanding empowering approaches to civic education. (1/7)doi.orgA DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education | Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics | Cambridge CoreA DuBoisian Approach to Civic Education 4135
Reposted by Matt NelsenBat 🦇 Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 23/08/2026This is both some effective frame-bridging, and a clearer defense of the basic concept of rights than we get from many current politicians. 0238
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 21/08/2026I'm back for year five, and my new nameplate just dropped! 031
Reposted by Matt Nelsenjenn m. jackson @jennmjacksonphd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026I wish folks made an effort to look out for and protect Black academics before we enter the news cycle. So many of us are struggling quietly. It's literally killing us. 012939
Reposted by Matt NelsenTeam Talarico @teamtalaricohq.bsky.social · 14/08/2026NEW AD: 14 years ago today, Ken Paxton stole someone's $1,000 pen. Today, Ken Paxton’s pen victim is endorsing James Talarico. 290101053000
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026I must have missed the news that URLs for almost all FiveThirtyEight articles now redirect to ABCNews. For those of you who assign some of the fantastic work published by FiveThirtyEight over the years, Ben Welsh compiled an archive that is saving my syllabi: fivethirtyeightindex.comfivethirtyeightindex.comfivethirtyeightindex.comAn index of fivethirtyeight.com articles, datasets, podcasts, graphics and illustrations. 000
Reposted by Matt NelsenJustin Gerdes @justingerdes.bsky.social · 07/08/2026"Climate policy didn’t lose Harris the election. Building all of these clean-energy factories appears to have kept the vote much closer than it otherwise would have been," writes @leahstokes.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... 🔌💡theatlantic.comBidenomics Was More Successful Than People ThinkConventional wisdom holds that Joe Biden’s bet on climate investment was a bust. The data suggest otherwise. 13916
Reposted by Matt NelsenWhitney Bauck @whitneybauck.bsky.social · 12/08/2026"Rumors of the Inflation Reduction Act’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Headlines declared the Dems' big climate law dead soon after Repubs passed their Big Beautiful Bill last summer. But the truth is, much of the law is still alive." @leahstokes.bsky.social electricnotes.news/p/no-the-dem...electricnotes.newsNo, the Democrats' Big Climate Law is Not Dead.Plus, new research shows that its clean energy manufacturing boom benefitted Democrats in the 2024 election. 1235
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026The NYT's coverage of the WI primary is giving me whiplash. Sure, different authors can offer different takes, which may contribute to a fruitful discussion. However, the only bit of editorial consistency appears to be a general disdain for progressives, and specifically DSA. A few examples: 120
Reposted by Matt NelsenBarry Burden @bcburden.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Some diffs between MI & WI primaries: * WI only recently looked like a two-way race, so not a simple either-or * No AIPAC involvement in WI * No involvement of national figs such as Bernie & AOC * Hong openly identifies as dem socialist but AES didn’t thehill.com/homenews/cam...thehill.comDemocratic socialists turn to Hong in Wisconsin with hopes for next big winState Rep. Francesca Hong’s (D) steady rise in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race is teeing up the biggest test yet for democratic socialists and the far left this election cycle. Hong has … 0318
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/08/2026It’s pretty wild that NYT polling analysts are live posting about polls being off by 20 points with no engagement with what strikes me as a far likelier scenario: in a chaotic primary, voters consolidated behind a candidate when their preferred choice dropped out suddenly before the primary. 031
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Ole Viking Savior off to a strong start in Pine County. 031
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 08/08/2026A truly iconic headline.nytimes.comStudents Skinned a Bear in a Dorm. Cornell Realized It Should Ban That.After two Cornell University students skinned a black bear in a communal kitchen last year to make a meal, the school changed the rules. 010
Reposted by Matt NelsenJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Hot takes suggest that spending more on public schools doesn't help. But this cool paper (political scientists publishing in an econ journal 😎) shows that increasing public school spending improves test scores and graduation rates. gated: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 59329
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026And the young Independents who helped push Trump over the finish line in 2024 are telling us that they are worried about being able to pay unexpected bills and cover the costs of housing. 040
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026"Centrist Democrats say their purpose is to make progressives understand the risks of some of the more radical planks of the official D.S.A. platform" (e.g. defunding the “Department of War"). Decreasing military spending consistently came up in our GenForward focus groups. (1/4)nytimes.comModerate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant LeftOne moderate group says the progressive wins are “deeply troubling” and is planning a $15 million effort against democratic socialism. 110
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 15/07/2026In April, the GenForward research team conducted a series of eight focus groups with 94 young adults living in Midwestern states. The focus groups, coupled with our survey data, reveal both strong commitments to democratic norms and a desire to significantly reshape America’s democratic system.genforwardsurvey.comYoung Adults’ Reimagining of U.S. Democracy on the Nation’s 250th – GenForward Survey 110
Reposted by Matt NelsenPerspectives on Politics @poppublicsphere.bsky.social · 19/06/2026NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!! The #Countermajoritarian Difficulty Revisited: Theorizing Court–Party Relations in the #United #States By @wsnead.bsky.social & @kumar.fyi doi.org/10.1017/S153... 074
Reposted by Matt NelsenNeil Lewis, Jr. @neillewisjr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026He says this once a week at this point, yet somehow the market has the same reaction every time, despite it never happening 🤷🏿♂️ www.cnbc.com/2026/06/10/s... 49917
Reposted by Matt NelsenArturo Chang @arturochang.bsky.social · 02/06/2026It's book day! A New World of Revolutions is now out and doing its thing in the world. Link below if you are interested in ordering a copy. 2144
Reposted by Matt NelsenMayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 12/05/2026When we took office, NYC had a $12B deficit. Today it’s zero. And we didn’t close that gap on the backs of working people. We closed it while funding parks, libraries, safer streets, & public housing. Call it Pothole Politics or Democratic Socialism: We are government that delivers for the people. 809379808858
Reposted by Matt NelsenRoberto F. Carlos @robertocarlos.bsky.social · 16/12/2025Although the book will not be out until the summer, I just got the cover for it, and I am excited to share it with the world (or the five or so kind folks who engage with this post). I look forward to sharing more about my book “Information Brokers” with @uchicagopress.bsky.social in the new year. 1298
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026The University of Miami granted me tenure! 🎉 Starting my career in Florida in the current political climate has not always been comfortable, so I am incredibly grateful to my colleagues for protecting my time and encouraging me to stay true to my intellectual convictions. 1/2 4301
Reposted by Matt NelsenArturo Chang @arturochang.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Excited to receive an advance copy of my book, A New World of Revolutions! The team @princetonupress.bsky.social did a wonderful job with the design. The book is available now for pre-order and will be published in the US on June 2nd (July 28th for UK readers). Link below. 710033
Reposted by Matt NelsenJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Given the argument that ended the VRA, I think it’s time liberals did some self reflection about the now decades long obsession with partisan polarization as the problem, as opposed to authoritarianism, extremism, oligarchy, and racism 8253951304
Reposted by Matt Nelsenelizabeth jordie davies @jordiedavies.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Always proud to be in this contingent of Chicago scholars! Justin and @mattnelsen.bsky.social are committed to community voices in their work. 141
Reposted by Matt NelsenJustin Zimmerman @jztidecat.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Tried to explain to my students on Tuesday that it’s hard to recognize danger and to fight against oppression if you don’t know shit. I use the work of @jordiedavies.bsky.social and @mattnelsen.bsky.social to hammer this point. Didn’t know it would be even more relevant after yesterday. 2246
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 23/04/2026In May 2012, my interest in texts as a source of political socialization was beginning to germinate alongside the shoots of spring. My senior capstone for political theory: Beyond Bread and Circuses: The Hunger Games and Its Cautionary Tale for Legitimate Governance Thanks Casson for humoring me 090
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Last class, deep breath, and a sunset on year four. 020
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 14/04/2026In our latest GenForward post, Cathy J. Cohen writes "young adults seem to be rejecting the premise that affordability is purely an economic or even lifestyle concern. Instead, they see affordability, or access to essential services and rights, as part of what they believe democracy should ensure."genforwardsurvey.comAffordability as Democracy: What Young Adults Want – GenForward Survey 020
Reposted by Matt NelsenKevin Morris @kevintmorris.bsky.social · 11/04/2026Cover drop and I'm in love press.princeton.edu/books/hardco... 12725167
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/04/2026I started my week with a confident spring in my step about recruiting for a new project within two urban school districts. After all, I’ve done this before! Then bureaucracy served me a piece of humble pie in the form of a email reminding me that I need to get tested for TB before I begin. 120
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 22/03/2026When life gets overwhelming, an invitation to channel my dog and his favorite baguette. 040
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026With a Best Picture win for OBAA, Ben is the winner of this year's Oscar pool. 120
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026To quote my partner Anthony, "I'm doing baaaad." He and Zoe (Kumar's partner) report a similar sentiment toward film: "happy spouse, happy house." Ben and I both were incorrect on cinematography—he selected OBAA and I selected Train Dreams. It now comes down to Best Picture. 010
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Half way through and we are now down to a two-horse race between myself and Ben. Ben increased his likelihood of winning by selecting Mr. Nobody Against Putin over The Perfect Neighbor for best Doc Feature. We only diverge in two remaining categories: Cinematography and Picture. 😬 010
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026We are now one third of the way through and @kumar.fyi's chances of winning the pool have dropped to zero, despite being in third place for the raw count. He made the inspired prediction of Delroy Lindo for supporting actor, costing him two points in this weighted category. 120
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 16/03/2026The predictions models are now starting to more accurately reflect raw points. Zoe had two significant missteps in the costume and hair/makeup categories. This may reflect Zoe's general disdain toward the film industry. In her words "There are too many movies. People should make fewer movies." 100
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Tonight I will be modeling the likely winner of my friends' Oscars pool live by tracking their correct predictions and simulating the remaining categories (x 10,000) based on the results already announced and the remaining categories. Here is the result of the first batch—follow along! 140
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 11/03/2026Folks should check out @jztidecat.bsky.social's post on the GenForward blog, which examines young adults' low rates of trust toward political institutions. The post provides a nice complement to our recent data, which shows widespread concern about the threat of authoritarianism among young adults. 041
Matt Nelsen @mattnelsen.bsky.social · 06/03/2026My partner is in the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, and we both agree opera has work to do to broaden its appeal. However, these companies also employ hundreds—sometimes thousands—of employees, many of whom are unionized. Both artistically and politically, Chalamet’s point is a horrendous one. 191
Reposted by Matt NelsenAnthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 26/02/2026The Catholic Bishops are entirely right. The crusade to end birthright citizenship is immoral, inconsistent with our law, and an affront to the dignity of children born in the United States. And the people working in earnest to undermine it should be ashamed of themselves. 336976
Reposted by Matt NelsenHakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Just insane cruelty. 07633