Princeton’s Center for the Study of Democratic Politics helps democracies thrive across the aisle

In recent years, as America has reflected on the strength of democracy in an era of bipartisanship, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff and Nancy Pelosi’s former chief of staff have been invited by the University Center to attend Princeton University’s visited the campus. The Study of Democratic Politics (CSDP) shares insights and aspirations for government as practiced in the nation’s halls of power.

Inviting such ideologically diverse perspectives is one of the hallmarks of an influential center, where scholars and practitioners from across the political spectrum share a common commitment to strengthening democratic ideals and institutions. Commonalities can be found in our efforts. CSDP faculty members conduct rigorous social science research on contemporary issues.

“At a time when democratic institutions around the world are in a precarious position, the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics, with its outstanding faculty, provides important training to future scholars and policymakers on how to protect and strengthen democratic political institutions. ” said Amani Jamal. , Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). “Additionally, by hosting speakers and perspectives from across the political spectrum, CSDP regularly shows us what constructive dialogue looks like on college campuses.”

On Oct. 23, the center hosted a pre-election panel discussion with three polling experts from across the aisle to discuss voter concerns, political strategies and the election landscape ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election. I plan to share some insights about it.

“Deciphering the Vote: Data-Driven Insights for the 2024 Election” features Cristina Coloroso, executive director of the progressive election consulting firm Analyst Institute. Joe Lenski ’87 alumnus is co-founder and executive vice president of exit polling company Edison Research. Chris Wilson, CEO of WPA Intelligence, has consulted for candidates such as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“A fundamental commitment to democracy”

CSDP is a research program within Princeton SPIA founded in 1999 by Larry Bartels, Donald E. Stokes Professor Emeritus of Public and International Affairs. Currently, the center is co-directed by Tali Mendelberg, John Work Garrett Professor of Political Science, and Frances Lee, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs.

CSDP puts experts and government officials in dialogue with Princeton social scientists and students who embrace this “b.”Strengthen our commitment to democracy.” Mr. Mendelberg said he encouraged discussions that uphold norms of pluralism, tolerance and respect. Mr. Mendelberg will moderate a conversation about the Oct. 23 vote.

Through academic-based programs, CSDP gives people with opposing views a platform to express themselves, such as events visited separately within 18 months by Chris Liddell of the Trump administration and John Lawrence of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. is provided.

After the 2024 elections, CSDP will hold panel discussions on November 20th and December 2nd for reflection and evaluation. The November event, which Lee will host, will feature political analyst Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of Cook Political Report. The December panel discussion will include a variety of election consultants, election analysts, and academics.

The purpose is to consider ”“How political actors from different perspectives approach issues. The goal is to shed light on issues and help people better understand the world of politics,” Lee said.”

A leader in social science research and political problem solving

CSDP also researches important issues to inform the public’s understanding of how our political system works, propose solutions, and promote democratic practice. “The center’s focus is on using neutral social science research and educational programs to generate knowledge about the political world, its issues, and how people perceive it.” Mendelberg said.

In their academic research, Princeton researchers at CSDP address the most pressing issues facing American democracy, including political polarization, misinformation, and unequal power relations in modern politics. We are investigating and working on it. among them:

Nolan McCarty, the Susan Dodd Brown Professor of Politics and Public Affairs, is widely cited as an expert on political polarization, particularly in Congress. McCarty said the partisan divisions that currently persist have serious implications for governance because they can “undermine Congress’s role in fulfilling its constitutional duties.”

Mr. McCarty also co-chairs the Task Force on the Power of the Purse, a subcommittee of the Princeton Initiative on Restoring Constitutional Congressional Power in the CSDP. The task force is an ongoing collaboration between academics and former members of Congress led by former Congressman Mickey Edwards. After the election, McCarty will present the recommendations of his special committee on government spending transparency, accountability and parliamentary review in a report to an audience on Capitol Hill.

Haeyoung Yu, associate professor of politics and public affairs, studies the influence of interest groups and lobbying on democratic representation. In January, I co-authored “Hearing on the Hill: Congress” with Pamela Bunn of the University of California, San Diego, and Juyeon Park of The Ohio State University, which analyzed “how partisan incentives are determined.” He plans to publish “Politics that Informs People” (Cambridge University Press). And from whom are members of Congress seeking information? ”

Andy Guess is an associate professor of politics and public affairs who studies social media and misinformation. While “blatant” misinformation is only a small part of the average person’s information diet, social media platforms appear to be taking the threat of election-related misinformation “less seriously” than they did in 2020. He said they are actively monitoring the situation.

Marcus Prior, a professor of politics and public affairs who previously served as director of CSDP, studies how ordinary people engage in politics. One of his current research tools is whether voters are impatient with long-term issues like climate change and “whether they want to postpone difficult decisions and costs into the future.”” — it’s a trait shared by people across the political spectrum.

Paul Starr, professor of communication and public affairs and professor of sociology and public affairs at Stewart University, has written about power, race, identity entrenchment, and the widening gender gap among voters. This fall, Starr plans to finish his book, “The American Contradiction,” which explores the deepening divisions in American society and politics since the mid-20th century.

CSDP increasingly seeks to bring academic insights to the public conversation about our nation’s democracy, and its efforts are exemplified by Julian Zelizer. Malcolm Stephenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University, writes extensively and appears regularly on national television as a commentator.

Remarkable Strengths in Race and Politics

Notably, CSDP has “probably the strongest group of race and politics scholars in the country,” according to Mendelberg.

They include: ismail white, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs; “Probably the leading authority on black politics in the United States.” mendelberg Say. paul frimer, professor of political science, A person who studies issues of labor, race, and historical policy. Associate Professor of Politics and Public Affairs Jonathan Mammoloknown for his groundbreaking research on racial disparities in policing. and associate professor of political science. lafleur stevens doogan Author of the award-winning “”“Race to the Bottom: How Racial Appeals Work in American Politics” (University of Chicago Press, 2020).

Through a grant from the Princeton Alliance for Collaborative Research and Innovation (PACRI), Stephen Dugan and co-principal investigator Byron D’Andra O’Ree of Jackson State University will collect data from a national survey of Black voters around Election Day in November. are collecting. 5 elections. “We’re really excited about the opportunity to dig deeper into this population,” she said, “especially given how important they are in the upcoming election.”

Mr. Mendelberg said CSDP also continues a tradition of excellence in forensic research. Charles Cameron, professor of politics and public affairs, and John Kastelek, professor of political science, have authored the acclaimed book Supreme Court Appointments: The Politics of Appointments, 1930-2020 (Oxford University Press, 2023). “These are examples of how SCOTUS became the polarized organization it is today.” Mendelberg said.

capitol connection

In addition to increasing your ability to‘In addition to independent research, the center also fosters connections between Princeton and Washington, D.C., giving SPIA graduate students and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to get up close and personal with visiting speakers over coffee or dinner after public events. We offer you the option to have a conversation.

Dr. Rob Oldham, a political science student, says he found a meeting with U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer. ‘96 is especially insightful. Mr. Kilmer, an advocate of Congressional reform, spoke about his efforts to improve Congress as chairman of the bipartisan House Select Committee on Congressional Modernization. Oldham said Pelosi’s vice president, Lawrence, offered sharp and nuanced views on policymaking during the 2008 economic crisis.

Mr Oldham has received funding from the CSDP to study parliamentary policy-making during crises. He will be coming to Capitol Hill this November as part of the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program.

“CSDP gave me the authority to do this,” he said. “I was very fortunate to have access to what I wanted and the ability to explore it.”