Alexander Kustov
@akoustov.bsky.social
Prof at Notre Dame (alexanderkustov.org). Author of "In Our Interest: How Democracies Can Make Immigration Popular" (http://tinyurl.com/4rwpr6dc). Writing at "Popular by Design" (http://tinyurl.com/b93bwr9j).
Pinned
Alexander Kustov
@akoustov.bsky.social
· Dec 18
I'm still in disbelief, but I have some doubly good news: I got tenure, and in January I'm starting as an Associate Professor at @notredame.bsky.social's Keough School of Global Affairs. I'm excited to keep working on making immigration policy better in theory and practice.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
Nick Vivyan, Chris Hanretty (@chanret.bsky.social) and I have a new book out: “Idiosyncratic Issue Opinion and Political Choice”. The core of the book is making the argument that citizens’ views about political issues neither reduce to an ideological orientation nor to a lack of substance. (1/10)
February 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Nick Vivyan, Chris Hanretty (@chanret.bsky.social) and I have a new book out: “Idiosyncratic Issue Opinion and Political Choice”. The core of the book is making the argument that citizens’ views about political issues neither reduce to an ideological orientation nor to a lack of substance. (1/10)
Thank you, Saskia! I think it's OK if we now disagree on some things, but still agree on some other things. As you said, the whole point of doing what we do is to figure out what is closer to truth by doing research, debating openly, and arguing constructively :)
February 13, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Thank you, Saskia! I think it's OK if we now disagree on some things, but still agree on some other things. As you said, the whole point of doing what we do is to figure out what is closer to truth by doing research, debating openly, and arguing constructively :)
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
I have a new paper. We look at ~all stats articles in political science post-2010 & show that 94% have abstracts that claim to reject a null. Only 2% present only null results. This is hard to explain unless the research process has a filter that only lets rejections through.
February 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
I have a new paper. We look at ~all stats articles in political science post-2010 & show that 94% have abstracts that claim to reject a null. Only 2% present only null results. This is hard to explain unless the research process has a filter that only lets rejections through.
Legal and ethical issues aside, the reality is that folks who submit their paper anywhere should be prepared for their work to be uploaded and analyzed by some kind of AI algorithm.
Introducing box checking doesn't do anything about that in equilibrium.
Introducing box checking doesn't do anything about that in equilibrium.
Some journals are now requesting reviewers affirm that they did not upload manuscripts into AI platforms.
February 13, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Legal and ethical issues aside, the reality is that folks who submit their paper anywhere should be prepared for their work to be uploaded and analyzed by some kind of AI algorithm.
Introducing box checking doesn't do anything about that in equilibrium.
Introducing box checking doesn't do anything about that in equilibrium.
That's fair. I'm now naming concrete people and their assertions here: alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/reflection...
Reflections on “The Uncomfortable Truths about Immigration”
What I learned, what I got wrong, and answers to the most common questions.
alexanderkustov.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:53 PM
That's fair. I'm now naming concrete people and their assertions here: alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/reflection...
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
My pro-immigration misinformation piece that will probably annoy almost everyone is finally out. If you care about democratic trust or are just curious what liberal elites don't want to say out loud, this is for you.
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong.
alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/the-uncomf...
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong.
alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/the-uncomf...
January 22, 2026 at 4:26 PM
My pro-immigration misinformation piece that will probably annoy almost everyone is finally out. If you care about democratic trust or are just curious what liberal elites don't want to say out loud, this is for you.
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong.
alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/the-uncomf...
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong.
alexanderkustov.substack.com/p/the-uncomf...
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
Gallup says it will stop doing presidential approval polls (after 88 years of doing it) because of "an evolution in how Gallup focuses it's public research". This is eliminating a time series that goes back to FDR.
thehill.com/homenews/med...
thehill.com/homenews/med...
thehill.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Gallup says it will stop doing presidential approval polls (after 88 years of doing it) because of "an evolution in how Gallup focuses it's public research". This is eliminating a time series that goes back to FDR.
thehill.com/homenews/med...
thehill.com/homenews/med...
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
My reflections on going viral for challenging pro-immigration orthodoxy: what I learned, what I should have done differently, and why I'm still convinced telling the truth matters even when colleagues fear it gives ammunition to the other side.
Reflections on “The Uncomfortable Truths about Immigration”
What I learned, what I got wrong, and answers to the most common questions.
alexanderkustov.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:27 PM
My reflections on going viral for challenging pro-immigration orthodoxy: what I learned, what I should have done differently, and why I'm still convinced telling the truth matters even when colleagues fear it gives ammunition to the other side.
The veracity/utility of the IQ thing aside (it will take a lot for me too!), I don't have a clean answer. But I'd note that it's not obvious how to reliably demarcate who the bad-faith actors are in these debates, which is partly why I think the best defense is getting the facts right ourselves.
February 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The veracity/utility of the IQ thing aside (it will take a lot for me too!), I don't have a clean answer. But I'd note that it's not obvious how to reliably demarcate who the bad-faith actors are in these debates, which is partly why I think the best defense is getting the facts right ourselves.
You're right that this isn't limited to immigration--in my original piece I was inspired by recent discussions on similar dynamics on climate and the pandemic. And I've also been thinking a lot about the question of how do we flag these problems without undermining the broader scientific enterprise.
February 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
You're right that this isn't limited to immigration--in my original piece I was inspired by recent discussions on similar dynamics on climate and the pandemic. And I've also been thinking a lot about the question of how do we flag these problems without undermining the broader scientific enterprise.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
“We noticed some anger from doctors last week. That’s why we invited RFK Jr. to talk about vaccines”
February 11, 2026 at 12:53 AM
“We noticed some anger from doctors last week. That’s why we invited RFK Jr. to talk about vaccines”
Thanks, Rachel! I'm glad we agree noble lies are bad. We disagree on framing, and that's fine. On substance: I do argue that employer accountability and better integration pathways are part of the solution, so we may be closer than you think. If you spot factual errors, I'm happy to correct them :)
February 11, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Thanks, Rachel! I'm glad we agree noble lies are bad. We disagree on framing, and that's fine. On substance: I do argue that employer accountability and better integration pathways are part of the solution, so we may be closer than you think. If you spot factual errors, I'm happy to correct them :)
My reflections on going viral for challenging pro-immigration orthodoxy: what I learned, what I should have done differently, and why I'm still convinced telling the truth matters even when colleagues fear it gives ammunition to the other side.
Reflections on “The Uncomfortable Truths about Immigration”
What I learned, what I got wrong, and answers to the most common questions.
alexanderkustov.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:27 PM
My reflections on going viral for challenging pro-immigration orthodoxy: what I learned, what I should have done differently, and why I'm still convinced telling the truth matters even when colleagues fear it gives ammunition to the other side.
My tentative book talk schedule for 2026 is up. Reach out if you want to join any of these events or organize one at your org.
February 10, 2026 at 6:06 PM
My tentative book talk schedule for 2026 is up. Reach out if you want to join any of these events or organize one at your org.
I think you're right about the incentives here, but the uncertainty now is also much higher than it used to be.
February 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
I think you're right about the incentives here, but the uncertainty now is also much higher than it used to be.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
My sense is that not much has changed since we wrote this for @washingtonpost.com in 2020.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 PM
My sense is that not much has changed since we wrote this for @washingtonpost.com in 2020.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
"Academic publishing as it currently exists is dead."
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 AM
"Academic publishing as it currently exists is dead."
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
"Academic publishing as it currently exists is dead."
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 AM
"Academic publishing as it currently exists is dead."
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
This is probably overstated, but if you're an early-career academic, it's worth taking seriously that tenured Stanford professors who've been working with AI more than most are saying things like this out loud now.
My sense is that not much has changed since we wrote this for @washingtonpost.com in 2020.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 PM
My sense is that not much has changed since we wrote this for @washingtonpost.com in 2020.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Puerto Ricans keep voting for statehood. But as long as many Americans don't even know Puerto Ricans are US citizens, it's hard for statehood to become a political priority on the mainland.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
"Public intellectual" might be too generous a description of John Stewart, but I'm sharing this link because it documents similar behavior--reckless disregard for the truth in criticizing the field of economics to a large audience: www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
Jon Stewart has become his own worst nightmare
Econ 101? In this economy?
www.theargumentmag.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM
"Public intellectual" might be too generous a description of John Stewart, but I'm sharing this link because it documents similar behavior--reckless disregard for the truth in criticizing the field of economics to a large audience: www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
Great to see "In Our Interest" reviewed in the Law Society Gazette, UK's largest legal publication: "A timely and worthwhile read."
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
February 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Great to see "In Our Interest" reviewed in the Law Society Gazette, UK's largest legal publication: "A timely and worthwhile read."
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
Reposted by Alexander Kustov
Here we go again... With Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl, it looks like many folks still don't realize that Puerto Ricans are US citizens.
I'm usually skeptical of info campaigns to change minds, but in this case, we show that learning this forbidden knowledge is politically important.
I'm usually skeptical of info campaigns to change minds, but in this case, we show that learning this forbidden knowledge is politically important.
February 8, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Here we go again... With Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl, it looks like many folks still don't realize that Puerto Ricans are US citizens.
I'm usually skeptical of info campaigns to change minds, but in this case, we show that learning this forbidden knowledge is politically important.
I'm usually skeptical of info campaigns to change minds, but in this case, we show that learning this forbidden knowledge is politically important.
Read the full review here: www.lawgazette.co.uk/reviews/mana...
Managing the immigration paradox
'In Our Interest: How Democracies Can Make Immigration Popular'
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Read the full review here: www.lawgazette.co.uk/reviews/mana...
Great to see "In Our Interest" reviewed in the Law Society Gazette, UK's largest legal publication: "A timely and worthwhile read."
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
February 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Great to see "In Our Interest" reviewed in the Law Society Gazette, UK's largest legal publication: "A timely and worthwhile read."
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.
The reviewer, a migration solicitor, puts it well: the paradox isn't that people oppose immigration, it's that we keep designing systems that undermine their trust.