Matt Polacko
@mattpolacko.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Researcher @ University of Calgary | Politics of Inequality | mattpolacko.com
Pinned
Matt Polacko
@mattpolacko.bsky.social
· Aug 25
🚨New Publication🚨
Using the entire #Canadian Election Study (1965–2021), I examine voter turnout by class, education, & income over time & test whether the offerings of political parties impact these relationships.
Available #OpenAccess in @cjps-rcsp.bsky.social
#polisky
doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Using the entire #Canadian Election Study (1965–2021), I examine voter turnout by class, education, & income over time & test whether the offerings of political parties impact these relationships.
Available #OpenAccess in @cjps-rcsp.bsky.social
#polisky
doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Reposted by Matt Polacko
According to a report by Century Foundation, "Democracy is Collapsing Under Trump." That was always the goal. Way past time to impeach, convict, and remove him and vote out his regime.
tcf.org/content/repo...
tcf.org/content/repo...
Century’s New Democracy Meter Shows America Took an Authoritarian Turn in 2025
At a time when experts are warning of unprecedented democratic backsliding in the United States under the second Trump administration, how should people
tcf.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:17 PM
According to a report by Century Foundation, "Democracy is Collapsing Under Trump." That was always the goal. Way past time to impeach, convict, and remove him and vote out his regime.
tcf.org/content/repo...
tcf.org/content/repo...
Reposted by Matt Polacko
In the 20th century, poor whites voted to the left of rich ones.
But that changed in 2016. And by 2024, the relationship between income and Republicanism had inverted completely: The more money a white voter made, the more likely they were to back Harris www.vox.com/politics/475...
But that changed in 2016. And by 2024, the relationship between income and Republicanism had inverted completely: The more money a white voter made, the more likely they were to back Harris www.vox.com/politics/475...
January 20, 2026 at 4:03 PM
In the 20th century, poor whites voted to the left of rich ones.
But that changed in 2016. And by 2024, the relationship between income and Republicanism had inverted completely: The more money a white voter made, the more likely they were to back Harris www.vox.com/politics/475...
But that changed in 2016. And by 2024, the relationship between income and Republicanism had inverted completely: The more money a white voter made, the more likely they were to back Harris www.vox.com/politics/475...
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Thanks for this article, @mattpolacko.bsky.social! I like that you use 3 different measures of class/social position, and the findings are really important - higher salience of economic issues --> higher turnout among low-income, working class, and/or less-educated people (& a reduced turnout gap).
🚨New Publication🚨
Using the entire #Canadian Election Study (1965–2021), I examine voter turnout by class, education, & income over time & test whether the offerings of political parties impact these relationships.
Available #OpenAccess in @cjps-rcsp.bsky.social
#polisky
doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Using the entire #Canadian Election Study (1965–2021), I examine voter turnout by class, education, & income over time & test whether the offerings of political parties impact these relationships.
Available #OpenAccess in @cjps-rcsp.bsky.social
#polisky
doi.org/10.1017/S000...
January 20, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Thanks for this article, @mattpolacko.bsky.social! I like that you use 3 different measures of class/social position, and the findings are really important - higher salience of economic issues --> higher turnout among low-income, working class, and/or less-educated people (& a reduced turnout gap).
Reposted by Matt Polacko
The hoarded wealth of the superrich can do more good in the public’s hands, so let’s tax it: a book excerpt
The hoarded wealth of the superrich can do more good in the public’s hands, so let’s tax it: a book excerpt
Adapted from the new book "Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us: The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax," published by Dundurn Press.
www.thestar.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:49 PM
The hoarded wealth of the superrich can do more good in the public’s hands, so let’s tax it: a book excerpt
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Very informative:
"Europeans enjoy more free time than Americans, a higher life expectancy and lower levels of inequality – all with roughly comparable productivity. Whichever way you look at it, this is a significantly superior economic performance."
"Europeans enjoy more free time than Americans, a higher life expectancy and lower levels of inequality – all with roughly comparable productivity. Whichever way you look at it, this is a significantly superior economic performance."
January 17, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Very informative:
"Europeans enjoy more free time than Americans, a higher life expectancy and lower levels of inequality – all with roughly comparable productivity. Whichever way you look at it, this is a significantly superior economic performance."
"Europeans enjoy more free time than Americans, a higher life expectancy and lower levels of inequality – all with roughly comparable productivity. Whichever way you look at it, this is a significantly superior economic performance."
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Canadian faculty & students are prevented from accessing their own work at Canadian universities… by U.S. trade policy. This scandalous extraterritoriality is just the tip of the iceberg of Canada's vulnerability to U.S. tech aggression. I explain in @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/opi....
Trump’s trade policy has digitally invaded Canadian universities. Here’s how, and why you should worry
By outsourcing IT to a U.S. company, writes Jim Stanford, students at more than 100 Canadian schools, including the U of T, are at the whim of Trump's U.S. trade
www.thestar.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Canadian faculty & students are prevented from accessing their own work at Canadian universities… by U.S. trade policy. This scandalous extraterritoriality is just the tip of the iceberg of Canada's vulnerability to U.S. tech aggression. I explain in @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/opi....
Reposted by Matt Polacko
The top 10% now account for nearly half of all consumer spending.
January 16, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The top 10% now account for nearly half of all consumer spending.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
One reason many folks no longer trust corporate media is because corporate media promotes the same talking points that defend billionaires & corporations & tell Americans to ignore their own eyes, ignore their own experiences & ignore data.
Here's actual data: sirota.substack.com/p/pay-no-att...
Here's actual data: sirota.substack.com/p/pay-no-att...
January 17, 2026 at 11:55 PM
One reason many folks no longer trust corporate media is because corporate media promotes the same talking points that defend billionaires & corporations & tell Americans to ignore their own eyes, ignore their own experiences & ignore data.
Here's actual data: sirota.substack.com/p/pay-no-att...
Here's actual data: sirota.substack.com/p/pay-no-att...
Reposted by Matt Polacko
One thing the left could do with learning from the right is how to destroy the institutions that uphold your adversaries’ power. I know Labour isn’t on the left currently but it’s still amazing how it fails to act against illegal interference by far right and foreign money in the political system
January 18, 2026 at 8:48 AM
One thing the left could do with learning from the right is how to destroy the institutions that uphold your adversaries’ power. I know Labour isn’t on the left currently but it’s still amazing how it fails to act against illegal interference by far right and foreign money in the political system
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Awaiting the next crash.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
The Bank of England’s capital mistake?
On 2 December 2025, the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee announced it would be lowering the capital requirement for UK banks. This column argues that higher macro-financial risk and sharply reduced fiscal capacity point to a need for higher rather than lower bank capital requirements. The most likely practical effect of this weakening of resilience will be higher payouts to bank shareholders, rather than increased lending to the real economy.
cepr.org
January 18, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Awaiting the next crash.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Capital requirements for UK banks to be lowered.
Safety buffers reduced as govt appeases the finance lobby.
Practical effect will be higher dividends, rather than investment in the real economy.
Public purse will bailout banks. Profits privatised, losses see socialised.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Why does the left always have to adopt a couple of stupid and unpopular ideas just to wreck their chances of implementing all their good and popular ideas
Polanski believes that he can potentially convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to give up his nuclear weapons. Here is why that is not only dangerously foolish, but disqualifying.
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
www.frenchdispatch.eu/p/quick-reac...
Quick reaction to Zack Polanski’s Putin naïveté
Polanski believes that he can potentially convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to give up his nuclear weapons. Here is why that is not only dangerously foolish, but disqualifying.
www.frenchdispatch.eu
January 18, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Why does the left always have to adopt a couple of stupid and unpopular ideas just to wreck their chances of implementing all their good and popular ideas
Reposted by Matt Polacko
"Elements of a redistributive and working-class agenda are already in demand, but many voters and especially the working-class, feel politically alienated and disaffected that their interests are not being pursued."
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
The Changing Class Basis of Canadian and Social Democratic Futures | Perspectives Journal
Elements of a redistributive and working-class agenda are already in demand, but many voters and especially the working class, feel politically alienated and disaffected that their interests are not b...
perspectivesjournal.ca
January 16, 2026 at 8:15 PM
"Elements of a redistributive and working-class agenda are already in demand, but many voters and especially the working-class, feel politically alienated and disaffected that their interests are not being pursued."
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
Reposted by Matt Polacko
In the mid-20th c. lower-income and less educated voters largely supported left-wing parties, while wealthier and more educated groups leaned right.
This pattern has fractured.
Broadbent Fellow @pgraefe.bsky.social w/ @mattpolacko.bsky.social & Simon Kiss explore the working-class vote in Canada.
This pattern has fractured.
Broadbent Fellow @pgraefe.bsky.social w/ @mattpolacko.bsky.social & Simon Kiss explore the working-class vote in Canada.
"Elements of a redistributive and working-class agenda are already in demand, but many voters and especially the working-class, feel politically alienated and disaffected that their interests are not being pursued."
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
🔗 perspectivesjournal.ca/changing-class-socdem-future/
The Changing Class Basis of Canadian and Social Democratic Futures | Perspectives Journal
Elements of a redistributive and working-class agenda are already in demand, but many voters and especially the working class, feel politically alienated and disaffected that their interests are not b...
perspectivesjournal.ca
January 16, 2026 at 9:19 PM
In the mid-20th c. lower-income and less educated voters largely supported left-wing parties, while wealthier and more educated groups leaned right.
This pattern has fractured.
Broadbent Fellow @pgraefe.bsky.social w/ @mattpolacko.bsky.social & Simon Kiss explore the working-class vote in Canada.
This pattern has fractured.
Broadbent Fellow @pgraefe.bsky.social w/ @mattpolacko.bsky.social & Simon Kiss explore the working-class vote in Canada.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
New poll from Navigator also with an incredible result; the largest drop in support for ICE since June was actually among *Republicans*, 25% of which now say they have an unfavorable opinion of the agency.
January 15, 2026 at 10:31 PM
New poll from Navigator also with an incredible result; the largest drop in support for ICE since June was actually among *Republicans*, 25% of which now say they have an unfavorable opinion of the agency.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
The super-rich pay often pay *lower* total tax rates than the rest of the population. How do people respond when they are told about this?
New empirical research from David Hope @lhaffert.bsky.social & @julianlimberg.bsky.social in our latest blog post
#LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/Es4zLlL
New empirical research from David Hope @lhaffert.bsky.social & @julianlimberg.bsky.social in our latest blog post
#LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/Es4zLlL
The hidden cost of low taxes on the super-rich
The super-rich pay often pay lower total tax rates than the rest of the population. How do people react - in their tax beliefs - when they find out about this?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 14, 2026 at 10:19 AM
The super-rich pay often pay *lower* total tax rates than the rest of the population. How do people respond when they are told about this?
New empirical research from David Hope @lhaffert.bsky.social & @julianlimberg.bsky.social in our latest blog post
#LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/Es4zLlL
New empirical research from David Hope @lhaffert.bsky.social & @julianlimberg.bsky.social in our latest blog post
#LSEInequalitiesBlog
buff.ly/Es4zLlL
Reposted by Matt Polacko
As of January 1, 2026, the collective net worth of America’s top 12 billionaires surpassed $2.7 trillion. Their combined wealth has more than quadrupled, up from $608 billion on March 18, 2020.
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
As of January 1, 2026, the collective net worth of America’s top 12 billionaires surpassed $2.7 trillion. Their combined wealth has more than quadrupled, up from $608 billion on March 18, 2020.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
New paper w/ Kulesza & @cmwitko.bsky.social
A worry about campaign contribution limits is that they don't stop money, they just shift it to Citizens United/SpeechNow "independent expenditures"
We find that this didn't happen. Keep calm & regulate on
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nk11m...
1/n
A worry about campaign contribution limits is that they don't stop money, they just shift it to Citizens United/SpeechNow "independent expenditures"
We find that this didn't happen. Keep calm & regulate on
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nk11m...
1/n
January 12, 2026 at 10:20 PM
New paper w/ Kulesza & @cmwitko.bsky.social
A worry about campaign contribution limits is that they don't stop money, they just shift it to Citizens United/SpeechNow "independent expenditures"
We find that this didn't happen. Keep calm & regulate on
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nk11m...
1/n
A worry about campaign contribution limits is that they don't stop money, they just shift it to Citizens United/SpeechNow "independent expenditures"
We find that this didn't happen. Keep calm & regulate on
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nk11m...
1/n
Reposted by Matt Polacko
This YouGov poll on ICE is really eye-opening. Public opinion has really swung against DHS/ICE and their terror regime.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
January 13, 2026 at 12:12 AM
This YouGov poll on ICE is really eye-opening. Public opinion has really swung against DHS/ICE and their terror regime.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the £ pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-45
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the £ pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-45
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Economy and inequality: Each household would gain $19,000 per year from a fairer income distribution and $96,000 overall from a fairer wealth distribution. 50 million more workers would have union coverage. Intergenerational economic mobility--the core of the American Dream--would be doubled.
January 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Economy and inequality: Each household would gain $19,000 per year from a fairer income distribution and $96,000 overall from a fairer wealth distribution. 50 million more workers would have union coverage. Intergenerational economic mobility--the core of the American Dream--would be doubled.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
If there's one empirical insight I'd want everyone to understand about American politics, it's this:
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
January 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
If there's one empirical insight I'd want everyone to understand about American politics, it's this:
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Americans are turning against ICE after an agent murdered Renee Good on video. It’s time for Democrats to “demand ICE’s removal from our cities and fields.” From Harold Meyerson: trib.al/JMDumTY
Reining In Trump’s Goons - The American Prospect
With the apparent murder of Renee Good, our thugocracy has outed itself for all to see. We cannot let them escape the consequences.
trib.al
January 12, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Americans are turning against ICE after an agent murdered Renee Good on video. It’s time for Democrats to “demand ICE’s removal from our cities and fields.” From Harold Meyerson: trib.al/JMDumTY
Reposted by Matt Polacko
This paper provides survey-based evidence that socialising across political divides can change opinions and reduce political polarisation. Using Thanksgiving as a natural experiment, it shows that people shift toward their families’ views after the holiday.
January 13, 2026 at 6:39 AM
This paper provides survey-based evidence that socialising across political divides can change opinions and reduce political polarisation. Using Thanksgiving as a natural experiment, it shows that people shift toward their families’ views after the holiday.
Reposted by Matt Polacko
Curse of Private Equity.
Vets under pressure to increase revenue,
Six companies control 60% of the UK's pet-care market
Prices up by 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Vets pressurised to meet financial targets by offering costly tests and treatment options.
Govts do nothing. Now handing the NHS to PE.
Vets under pressure to increase revenue,
Six companies control 60% of the UK's pet-care market
Prices up by 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Vets pressurised to meet financial targets by offering costly tests and treatment options.
Govts do nothing. Now handing the NHS to PE.
Vets under increasing pressure to make money for corporate owners, BBC told
Questions have been raised about whether the pet-care market is giving customers value for money.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Curse of Private Equity.
Vets under pressure to increase revenue,
Six companies control 60% of the UK's pet-care market
Prices up by 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Vets pressurised to meet financial targets by offering costly tests and treatment options.
Govts do nothing. Now handing the NHS to PE.
Vets under pressure to increase revenue,
Six companies control 60% of the UK's pet-care market
Prices up by 63% between 2016 and 2023.
Vets pressurised to meet financial targets by offering costly tests and treatment options.
Govts do nothing. Now handing the NHS to PE.