Daniel Laurison
@daniellaurison.bsky.social
Sociologist at Swarthmore College, trans man. Wrote Producing Politics & The Class Ceiling & a bunch of articles on class & race & inequality &/or political participation.
DanielLaurison.com = me
WeAreHigherEd.org = standing up for education and democracy
DanielLaurison.com = me
WeAreHigherEd.org = standing up for education and democracy
Pinned
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Good report here on how very little TANF funds actually go to supporting low income families. It has become a slush fund for states to spend on things that have little to do with program’s mission.
“How a $30 Billion Welfare Program Became a ‘Slush Fund’ for States”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
“How a $30 Billion Welfare Program Became a ‘Slush Fund’ for States”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
How a $30 Billion Welfare Program Became a ‘Slush Fund’ for States
Republicans and Democrats alike decry the lack of oversight for America’s famous antipoverty experiment.
www.wsj.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Good report here on how very little TANF funds actually go to supporting low income families. It has become a slush fund for states to spend on things that have little to do with program’s mission.
“How a $30 Billion Welfare Program Became a ‘Slush Fund’ for States”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
“How a $30 Billion Welfare Program Became a ‘Slush Fund’ for States”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
I say intentionally or unintentionally and I get people commenting on posts all the time saying "these weren't suicides, they murdered those kids"
But the political authorities of our day genuinely believe they are doing good by withdrawing care and instead insulate themselves from trans suffering
But the political authorities of our day genuinely believe they are doing good by withdrawing care and instead insulate themselves from trans suffering
I founded Trans Safety Network on the basis that one of the key things we needed to do under the anti trans backlash was document and highlight the organisation of harm occurring to trans people. Understanding that such harm is the product of organised powers whether intentionally or unintentionally
February 8, 2026 at 6:20 AM
I say intentionally or unintentionally and I get people commenting on posts all the time saying "these weren't suicides, they murdered those kids"
But the political authorities of our day genuinely believe they are doing good by withdrawing care and instead insulate themselves from trans suffering
But the political authorities of our day genuinely believe they are doing good by withdrawing care and instead insulate themselves from trans suffering
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
There is a laundry list of things 20 GOP Senators & 5 Reps could sign onto tomorrow if they suddenly now have genuine concerns for equal & fair representation in 🇺🇸 government. That they will support exactly zero of these, while complaining about VA/CA & trying to suppress more votes, is the tell.
- DC/PR/USVI statehood
- Enlarging the House
- MMDs
- New VRA
- Totally revamping SCOTUS: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
- Automatic universal voter registration
- Rewriting the "national emergency" laws: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
- Subordinating the Senate: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Etc.
- Enlarging the House
- MMDs
- New VRA
- Totally revamping SCOTUS: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
- Automatic universal voter registration
- Rewriting
- Subordinating the Senate: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Etc.
👇🎯💯
Again, the needs to be & all the committees & commissions that want to Do A Popularism & focus on Kitchen Table Issues are engaged in a category mistake about What Democrats Must Do the next time they ever have power.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Again, the
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
February 7, 2026 at 3:48 AM
There is a laundry list of things 20 GOP Senators & 5 Reps could sign onto tomorrow if they suddenly now have genuine concerns for equal & fair representation in 🇺🇸 government. That they will support exactly zero of these, while complaining about VA/CA & trying to suppress more votes, is the tell.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Queer bookstores died in 2010. We had a funeral and everything!
Except... a ton of people decided to roll up their sleeves and start *new* queer bookshops, all over the place. In cities. In tiny towns.
My latest newsletter is about the rebirth of the LGBTQ bookshop:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Except... a ton of people decided to roll up their sleeves and start *new* queer bookshops, all over the place. In cities. In tiny towns.
My latest newsletter is about the rebirth of the LGBTQ bookshop:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
The Death and Rebirth of the Queer Bookstore
Hi! Before we get started… Right now, you can get a Humble Bundle including everything Annalee Newitz and I have published with Tor for just $18 (plus...
buttondown.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Queer bookstores died in 2010. We had a funeral and everything!
Except... a ton of people decided to roll up their sleeves and start *new* queer bookshops, all over the place. In cities. In tiny towns.
My latest newsletter is about the rebirth of the LGBTQ bookshop:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Except... a ton of people decided to roll up their sleeves and start *new* queer bookshops, all over the place. In cities. In tiny towns.
My latest newsletter is about the rebirth of the LGBTQ bookshop:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
In solidarity w/ communities being hurt by ICE, I'm donating all new revenue from today's newsletter to The Energy CENTS Coalition, a St. Paul nonprofit that helps struggling folks pay utility bills. If you'd like to support a good cause & PN, sign up for a sub using the buttons in today's edition 👇
Why Delia Ramirez thinks DHS needs to be dismantled
"Why would we ever want to give them more money to keep doing what they’re doing?"
www.publicnotice.co
February 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM
In solidarity w/ communities being hurt by ICE, I'm donating all new revenue from today's newsletter to The Energy CENTS Coalition, a St. Paul nonprofit that helps struggling folks pay utility bills. If you'd like to support a good cause & PN, sign up for a sub using the buttons in today's edition 👇
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
When we choose our politicians based on how many rich people they went to high school with, this is the result.
I have been on food stamps. I know politics isn’t a sport. It isn’t about scoring points on cable news. Politics is our actual lives.
But I am building the campaign funding on the fly.
I have been on food stamps. I know politics isn’t a sport. It isn’t about scoring points on cable news. Politics is our actual lives.
But I am building the campaign funding on the fly.
The people we spoke to - across racial groups, and across geographies in Pennsylvania - told us they feel disconnected from our leaders and our political system, that politics looks like a game played by privileged people. They don't feel like politicians really care about them or their communities.
February 6, 2026 at 12:30 AM
When we choose our politicians based on how many rich people they went to high school with, this is the result.
I have been on food stamps. I know politics isn’t a sport. It isn’t about scoring points on cable news. Politics is our actual lives.
But I am building the campaign funding on the fly.
I have been on food stamps. I know politics isn’t a sport. It isn’t about scoring points on cable news. Politics is our actual lives.
But I am building the campaign funding on the fly.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
We've always done this, but in particular in 2026, one of @runforsomething.net's top priorities is recruiting candidates who have lived experience with the affordability crisis. That's not about ~identity politics~ -- it's about giving people a sense that their leaders *care* because they *get it.*
The people we spoke to - across racial groups, and across geographies in Pennsylvania - told us they feel disconnected from our leaders and our political system, that politics looks like a game played by privileged people. They don't feel like politicians really care about them or their communities.
February 5, 2026 at 8:38 PM
We've always done this, but in particular in 2026, one of @runforsomething.net's top priorities is recruiting candidates who have lived experience with the affordability crisis. That's not about ~identity politics~ -- it's about giving people a sense that their leaders *care* because they *get it.*
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
"People want to feel genuinely listened to and cared about by those who have, or seek, political power – so political leaders need to spend more time in low-income and working-class communities, having meaningful two-way conversations with constituents that don’t end abruptly when the polls close."
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 8:34 PM
"People want to feel genuinely listened to and cared about by those who have, or seek, political power – so political leaders need to spend more time in low-income and working-class communities, having meaningful two-way conversations with constituents that don’t end abruptly when the polls close."
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
This is absolutely the most important thing I’ve read in a long time. If you care about democracy, read it and share it.
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 8:21 PM
This is absolutely the most important thing I’ve read in a long time. If you care about democracy, read it and share it.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Check out this important new research from Daniel Laurison et al on low-income and working-class Pennsylvanians about what politics means to them.
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Check out this important new research from Daniel Laurison et al on low-income and working-class Pennsylvanians about what politics means to them.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
This is important work! Read it!
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 8:10 PM
This is important work! Read it!
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Important study of why people don’t vote
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Important study of why people don’t vote
My family's Christmas Eve dinner, inspired by my partner's mom's Swedish immigrant community, involves a LOT of cheese and crackers (hard tack, specifically). I don't know if it quite qualifies as a holiday FOR cheese but it is a holiday WITH much cheese.
Okay hear me out.
A holiday.
For cheese.
Not in honor of cheese necessarily, but the celebration custom involves...
Eating cheese.
A holiday.
For cheese.
Not in honor of cheese necessarily, but the celebration custom involves...
Eating cheese.
February 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
My family's Christmas Eve dinner, inspired by my partner's mom's Swedish immigrant community, involves a LOT of cheese and crackers (hard tack, specifically). I don't know if it quite qualifies as a holiday FOR cheese but it is a holiday WITH much cheese.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Fascinating work on nonvoters by @daniellaurison.bsky.social.
“Non-voters are concerned about being good citizens and good members of their communities, but they feel that people in politics ignore them and their experiences. They think their communities are neglected by people in power.”
“Non-voters are concerned about being good citizens and good members of their communities, but they feel that people in politics ignore them and their experiences. They think their communities are neglected by people in power.”
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Fascinating work on nonvoters by @daniellaurison.bsky.social.
“Non-voters are concerned about being good citizens and good members of their communities, but they feel that people in politics ignore them and their experiences. They think their communities are neglected by people in power.”
“Non-voters are concerned about being good citizens and good members of their communities, but they feel that people in politics ignore them and their experiences. They think their communities are neglected by people in power.”
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Building a more inclusive politics is not all about formal rules & institutions, it's also about how politics is done in a more informal way.
(This is a message I send backwards in time to myself)
(This is a message I send backwards in time to myself)
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Building a more inclusive politics is not all about formal rules & institutions, it's also about how politics is done in a more informal way.
(This is a message I send backwards in time to myself)
(This is a message I send backwards in time to myself)
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
“People want to see themselves reflected in politics, campaigns, candidates, and government – so party leaders and government officials need to recruit more people from low-income and working-class backgrounds, to serve at every level.”
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 5, 2026 at 12:07 AM
“People want to see themselves reflected in politics, campaigns, candidates, and government – so party leaders and government officials need to recruit more people from low-income and working-class backgrounds, to serve at every level.”
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Important read.
One key recommendation:
One key recommendation:
February 4, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Important read.
One key recommendation:
One key recommendation:
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
If we're going to have a democracy, we need to include everyone - but voting is declining among low-income people.
We talked to 144 nonvoters & infrequent voters; they aren't ignorant or apathetic, but they see politics & politicians as disconnected from their lives and concerns. (thread)
We talked to 144 nonvoters & infrequent voters; they aren't ignorant or apathetic, but they see politics & politicians as disconnected from their lives and concerns. (thread)
Understanding the Political Disconnect
Swarthmore College’s Healthy Equitable and Responsive Democracy (HEARD) Initiative finds voter disconnection and discouragement – not apathy – keep people from polls
www.swarthmore.edu
February 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM
If we're going to have a democracy, we need to include everyone - but voting is declining among low-income people.
We talked to 144 nonvoters & infrequent voters; they aren't ignorant or apathetic, but they see politics & politicians as disconnected from their lives and concerns. (thread)
We talked to 144 nonvoters & infrequent voters; they aren't ignorant or apathetic, but they see politics & politicians as disconnected from their lives and concerns. (thread)
This is a great piece!
One of the recommendations is to focus on turnout over moderation, which I 100% agree with.
There were steep declines in turnout among low-income voters in 2024; Grumbach & Bonica point to the increased racial gap in turnout to ~11%, income gaps were closer to 30 points.
One of the recommendations is to focus on turnout over moderation, which I 100% agree with.
There were steep declines in turnout among low-income voters in 2024; Grumbach & Bonica point to the increased racial gap in turnout to ~11%, income gaps were closer to 30 points.
February 4, 2026 at 5:52 PM
This is a great piece!
One of the recommendations is to focus on turnout over moderation, which I 100% agree with.
There were steep declines in turnout among low-income voters in 2024; Grumbach & Bonica point to the increased racial gap in turnout to ~11%, income gaps were closer to 30 points.
One of the recommendations is to focus on turnout over moderation, which I 100% agree with.
There were steep declines in turnout among low-income voters in 2024; Grumbach & Bonica point to the increased racial gap in turnout to ~11%, income gaps were closer to 30 points.
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Reposted by Daniel Laurison
Do ordinary Republicans and Democrats really avoid each other in everyday life? In a new working paper with Delia Baldassarri, we present descriptive and experimental evidence to challenge the view that partisanship drives the formation of social relationships.
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
February 2, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Do ordinary Republicans and Democrats really avoid each other in everyday life? In a new working paper with Delia Baldassarri, we present descriptive and experimental evidence to challenge the view that partisanship drives the formation of social relationships.
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
read the whole thing.
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
February 4, 2026 at 1:21 PM
read the whole thing.