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Steven W. Webster

@stevenwwebster.bsky.social
2.3K followers 195 following 105 posts

Political scientist and Director of the Center on American Politics at IU Bloomington.

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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Excited for the 2nd IU CAP conference next week in Bloomington! Speakers: Taylor Carlson, @elizabethcconnors.bsky.social, Chris DeSante, @sgadarian.bsky.social, @egojunk.bsky.social, @gjmartin.bsky.social, Mary Adams Plooster, @tylerreny.bsky.social. www.iu-cap.com/conference.h...
iu-cap.com
IU Center on American Politics
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"Some news," as they say. Five years, 12 datasets, and ~30000 responses in the making...
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Open-rank positions in quantitative methods (indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34175) and IR (indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34176) at Indiana. Deadline for both is 10/1.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
"Political scientists have shown how rage undermines trust in government, reinforces polarisation and reduces voters’ commitment to democratic norms, even when the source of anger is detached from politics itself." Sounds familiar! :) www.economist.com/united-state...
economist.com
Quantifying anger in American politics
The country is awash in indignation
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Both will be open rank!
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
IU political science is hiring in two areas this year: 1. Quantitative methods 2. Security (interest in the relationship btwn emerging technologies and conflict) This is part of the University's "Faculty Strategic Hiring Initiative," so both positions should be well-resourced. Ads to come soon.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
What do you mean, “the syllabus is due on Monday”?
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Early 4th of July present incoming?
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Would be a decent job…
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Negative partisanship. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/n...
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Are you a grad student in American politics? Want to join a group of scholars for a conference in Bloomington this Fall? See below. 👇
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
TONIGHT -- join the IU Department of Political Science for a reception honoring the life and legacy of Ted Carmines. Wilson Room, 3rd floor, Palmer House, 7-8:30 PM.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Announcing the 2026 IU Center on American Politics conference (10/2) lineup. 6 faculty + new this year: a graduate student panel! There are 3 open slots for any grad student in the US. The Center will cover travel and lodging expenses. See below: 1/2 www.iu-cap.com/conference.h...
iu-cap.com
IU Center on American Politics
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Just saw that this is online now! academic.oup.com/poq/advance-...
academic.oup.com
You’re Making Us Look Bad: Can Partisan Embarrassment Dampen Partisanship and Polarization?
Abstract. Partisan elites and members of the public often have attitudes or engage in behavior that could embarrass copartisans. We examine this occurrence
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Join us!
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
So thrilled to have Betsy Sinclair on campus giving the annual Charles S. Hyneman lecture. Her talk is on how AI chatbots can “prebunk” election rumors.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Save the date! On Friday, 4/24, from 7-8:30, the IU Department of Political Science will host a reception at MPSA to honor the career and life of our late colleague, Ted Carmines. Room announcement to come. Earlier in the day (3:20), some of Ted’s former students will host a panel in his honor.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Anger, Negative Partisanship, and Joy in the Suffering of Political Others Forthcoming at JEPOP, w/ Mary Adams Plooster. Mary is a top-notch IU PhD candidate working on abstract mental representations and how they shape partisan animosity. stevenwwebster.com/research/ang...
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Featuring some of my latest research, w/ @nickbichay.bsky.social and Mary Adams Plooster.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
New working paper w Mary Adams Plooster (a fantastic IU grad student) and @nickbichay.bsky.social. We draw on two survey experiments to investigate the effect of partisan anger on partisan dehumanization. We also examine heterogeneous f.x. by trait dogmatism. www.stevenwwebster.com/research/ang...
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Reposted by Steven W. Webster
Alessandro Nai @alessandronai.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
After 3 years and 5,322 emails (and counting) our Encyclopedia of Political Communication is finally out at @elgarpublishing.bsky.social 📚 Three volumes ⭐ 431 entries 🎓 581 wonderful authors from across the world A very short 🧵
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Reposted by Steven W. Webster
Rachel Porter @rachelporter.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
‼️ New working paper ‼️ We find bipartisan appeals credibly signal policymaking intentions—on an issue-by-issue basis We show how and why bipartisan lawmaking persists amid congressional conflict: progress often comes through issue-specific pathways rather than broad consensus between Ds and Rs 🧵👇
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Rage as a political strategy. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Carville: How About a Sweeping, Aggressive, Unvarnished Platform of Pure Economic Rage
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Reposted by Steven W. Webster
Rachel Porter @rachelporter.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Political inexperience in Congress has measurable effects on legislative outcomes. Our research finds that when districts elect political newcomers over career politicians, congressional dysfunction tends to increase. New explainer of our PNAS study: theconversation.com/amateur-hour...
theconversation.com
Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns
The public’s frustration with ‘politics as usual’ has led more political newcomers to win office. But amateurs are more likely to view bipartisanship as a concession, not a tool for advancing policy.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Calm before the storm! Today is the day: the inaugural IU Center on American Politics Conference. Speakers: Mike Wagner, Marc Hetherington, Josh McCrain, myself, Julia Azari, Rachel Lienesch, Rachel Porter, Sean Westwood. Follow this thread for key points from talks. 🧵
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
This week. Bloomington, IN. 👇
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
First ever IU Center on American Politics conference is this week! Since it’s on Halloween, everyone gets treats.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
The fiercest squirrel hunter in all of Bloomington.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
One month to go! Very excited for this event. www.iu-cap.com
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
This is so, so cool.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
APSA panel 1: Affect and Emotions. First up is Fu and Lee, presenting on emotional reactions to foreign threats Three experiments from Taiwan, Lithuania, and Latvia. Threats elicit anxiety, anger, and fear. Can be attenuated by presence of allies and a shared sense of national identity.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Who's going to APSA?
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Cool paper.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Staring down the new semester.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Meaningful null findings!
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Excited to announce the speaker lineup for the first ever IU Center on American Politics conference! October 31, 2025, Bloomington, IN. Guests welcome! More info available here: www.iu-cap.com/conference.h...
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
polisci.indiana.edu/news-events/...
polisci.indiana.edu
Remembering Professor Ted Carmines
Remembering Professor Ted Carmines
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
A sad update: our colleague, Ted Carmines, has passed. He will be sorely missed.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Featuring some of my thoughts on the OBBB. An early political "win" for Trump, but the details—and the price tag—could come back to haunt him and Republicans in 2026. www.dw.com/en/donald-tr...
dw.com
How will Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' impact Americans? – DW – 07/02/2025
The battle for President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" appears to be nearing an end. But Trump's signature tax and spending policy isn't popular, even within his own party.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Trying to keep up with world events.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Accepted at POQ: "You’re Making Us Look Bad: Can Partisan Embarrassment Dampen Partisanship and Polarization?" w/ Liz Connors and Taylor Carlson elizabethchaseconnors.com/images/Embar...
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Sunday, 8 AM panel for APSA. 🫣
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
It’s not easy to work around here.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Big news! I have been named the new Director of the Center on American Politics at IU, which will soon be officially renamed after its founder, Ted Carmines. I've got some big plans in the works, so stay tuned.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
I'm quoted in this piece from The Guardian about Democratic voters' anger at Trump—and their own leaders. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Democrats have never been so angry. Who will step up and lead them?
At rallies, town halls and protests, voters are unleashing their fury with Donald Trump, stoking what some believe is a populist backlash
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
"It was all there at the Bernie rally: Dread, yes, but also an anger and appetite — a tremendous, largely untapped political energy looking, it seemed, for an outlet." www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Bernie Sanders, A.O.C. and the Surging Politics of Anger
Struggling working class voters fear that the country they’ve always counted on is sliding away because of President Trump.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
"Rage is now the defining characteristic of Trump’s Republican Party." Yes, yes it is. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Last Thing Democrats Need Is Their Own Tea Party
One was plenty.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Timeline cleanse.
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Happy to be at the “Democracy and its Discontent in Europe and the US” conference at Texas A&M. Speakers: Alexa Bankert, Scott Clifford, Noam Gidron, Ariel Malka, Beth Simas, Rune Slothuus, myself, and Sean Westwood. First up is Sean Westwood: 1/🧵
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Steven W. Webster @stevenwwebster.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Hello, Yale. What a pretty campus you have.
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