Michael Vaughan
@michaelvaughan.bsky.social
Researcher currently working on (wealth) inequality and communication | Leverhulme Early Career fellow at LSE’s International Inequalities Institute
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
📜Fresh off the press: Annett Heft, @michaelvaughan.bsky.social, Barbara Pfetsch & I attempted to find a level for defining social media affordances that permits conceptualizing differences between platforms and uses, and is thus useful for theory building.
doi.org/10.1093/ct/q...
doi.org/10.1093/ct/q...
Differential social media affordances: an actor type-centric, intermediate-level approach using the case of social movements
Abstract. Social media have profoundly changed social communication practices across a vast range of contexts. To theorize these changes, numerous authors
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
📜Fresh off the press: Annett Heft, @michaelvaughan.bsky.social, Barbara Pfetsch & I attempted to find a level for defining social media affordances that permits conceptualizing differences between platforms and uses, and is thus useful for theory building.
doi.org/10.1093/ct/q...
doi.org/10.1093/ct/q...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
My article on the tv hit Succession and its media reception finally out. Keywords Schadenfreude, fantasy, dynasties. My argument being that it is a fantasy-driven construct appealing to a middle class desire to see the rich as miserable people destined to fall. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
From the figure of the obscene rich to the fantasy of its destruction: on Succession, schadenfreude and the godlike power of the super-rich on screen
A significant part of contemporary popular culture portrays the rich as obscene, self-destructive, addicted and deranged. This article analyses the affective intensities circulating around this tro...
www.tandfonline.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 AM
My article on the tv hit Succession and its media reception finally out. Keywords Schadenfreude, fantasy, dynasties. My argument being that it is a fantasy-driven construct appealing to a middle class desire to see the rich as miserable people destined to fall. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
In November's Budget, the Chancellor can reform taxes on wealth to achieve three wins - raising revenue, tackling inequality and boosting growth. Find out more at fairnessfoundation.com/win-win-win
Win-Win-Win
Taxing wealth for fairness, revenue and growth
fairnessfoundation.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
In November's Budget, the Chancellor can reform taxes on wealth to achieve three wins - raising revenue, tackling inequality and boosting growth. Find out more at fairnessfoundation.com/win-win-win
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Amazon workers' weekly wage = 1 pebble
Jeff Bezos net worth = THE ENTIRE BEACH
Jeff Bezos net worth = THE ENTIRE BEACH
September 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Amazon workers' weekly wage = 1 pebble
Jeff Bezos net worth = THE ENTIRE BEACH
Jeff Bezos net worth = THE ENTIRE BEACH
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Now out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social. In our new article, @denis-cohen.bsky.social @thmskrr.bsky.social and I show that where local rent prices increase more, residents with lower incomes become more likely to support the radical right AfD.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
September 25, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Now out in @cpsjournal.bsky.social. In our new article, @denis-cohen.bsky.social @thmskrr.bsky.social and I show that where local rent prices increase more, residents with lower incomes become more likely to support the radical right AfD.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
In London, hate will never win.
September 17, 2025 at 6:10 AM
In London, hate will never win.
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Just got round to listening (not something I can normally bear to do when I’m involved but wanted to hear what the other contributors had to say). Anyway…I really enjoyed it, so you never know: you might too!
How is the far right shaping our future?
Podcast Episode · LSE IQ podcast · 02/09/2025 · 33m
podcasts.apple.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Just got round to listening (not something I can normally bear to do when I’m involved but wanted to hear what the other contributors had to say). Anyway…I really enjoyed it, so you never know: you might too!
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
👉 Stories about economic change are never neutral. They make politics. In my new article in Sociological Theory @sociologicaltheory.bsky.social, I show how narratives about economic disruption become a source of legitimacy:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
September 1, 2025 at 8:48 AM
👉 Stories about economic change are never neutral. They make politics. In my new article in Sociological Theory @sociologicaltheory.bsky.social, I show how narratives about economic disruption become a source of legitimacy:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
We have a 🚨 new open access paper 🚨 with @polcommjournal.bsky.social We show how platforms can simultaneously concentrate and fragment political power. We analysed Italy's Five Star Movement across 5 platforms to understand multi-platform dynamics in political organisations. doi.org/10.1080/1058...
Affording Fragmented Audiences: Multi-Platform Deliberation within the Five Star Movement
We examine how multi-platform digital environments influence intra-party dynamics within political organizations, focusing on the Italian Five Star Movement (M5S) as a paradigmatic case of extreme ...
doi.org
August 28, 2025 at 9:39 PM
We have a 🚨 new open access paper 🚨 with @polcommjournal.bsky.social We show how platforms can simultaneously concentrate and fragment political power. We analysed Italy's Five Star Movement across 5 platforms to understand multi-platform dynamics in political organisations. doi.org/10.1080/1058...
Some thoughts on our recent report for @jrf-uk.bsky.social - and why we shouldn't shy away from the problem of unfair influence in talking about wealth inequality @wealtherty.bsky.social
To engage people on the problem of wealth inequality, we should focus on the “unfair influence” wielded by those at the top, write @michaelvaughan.bsky.social, @wealtherty.bsky.social & Annalena Oppel, even if that causes outrage.
@jrf-uk.bsky.social
🔗 buff.ly/GAf0Es5
@jrf-uk.bsky.social
🔗 buff.ly/GAf0Es5
It’s time to face up to power in the debate about wealth inequality
When discussing wealth inequality, the “unfair influence” framing fares best at driving support for redistributive measures. But does it come with hidden costs?
buff.ly
August 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Some thoughts on our recent report for @jrf-uk.bsky.social - and why we shouldn't shy away from the problem of unfair influence in talking about wealth inequality @wealtherty.bsky.social
This book is brilliant - insightful, timely, and also written quite beautifully. If you are confused about or interested in how politics "feels" in the present conjuncture of UK/US politics, read it! @benandersongeog.bsky.social @ajsecor.bsky.social www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
The Politics of Feeling
Populism, Progressivism, Liberalism
www.gold.ac.uk
August 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This book is brilliant - insightful, timely, and also written quite beautifully. If you are confused about or interested in how politics "feels" in the present conjuncture of UK/US politics, read it! @benandersongeog.bsky.social @ajsecor.bsky.social www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Absolutely dystopian juxtaposition from the Guardian front page. Difficult to understand how anyone of decency and conscience can defend this government at this point. Just sheer moral degeneracy to arm a state that does this and arrest people for objecting. Wtf are we doing as a country?
July 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Absolutely dystopian juxtaposition from the Guardian front page. Difficult to understand how anyone of decency and conscience can defend this government at this point. Just sheer moral degeneracy to arm a state that does this and arrest people for objecting. Wtf are we doing as a country?
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
NEW✨ @michaelvaughan.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social reviews Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters by Thomas Piketty @thomaspiketty.bsky.social and Michael J. Sandel @politybooks.bsky.social 👇
Thomas Piketty and Michael Sandel on the struggle for equality - LSE Review of Books
Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters is a wide-ranging discussion between economist Thomas Piketty and philosopher Michael J. Sandel on ways to think about and achieve real equality.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
July 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
NEW✨ @michaelvaughan.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social reviews Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters by Thomas Piketty @thomaspiketty.bsky.social and Michael J. Sandel @politybooks.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”
Starmer’s policy: a transfer of resources from the poorest, straight to the arms industry.
Starmer’s policy: a transfer of resources from the poorest, straight to the arms industry.
June 25, 2025 at 8:39 AM
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”
Starmer’s policy: a transfer of resources from the poorest, straight to the arms industry.
Starmer’s policy: a transfer of resources from the poorest, straight to the arms industry.
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Story Tech: Power, Storytelling, and Social Change Advocacy by Filippo Trevisan @michaelvaughan.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social @ariadnevromen.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @livunipress.bsky.social @uofmpress.bsky.social
#Review by Juliana Reimberg @cu-cardiffbusiness.bsky.social
#Review by Juliana Reimberg @cu-cardiffbusiness.bsky.social
Storytelling for advocacy in the digital age - LSE Review of Books
Story Tech: Power, Storytelling and Social Change Advocacy by Filippo Trevisan, Michael Vaughan & Ariadne Vromen examines digital storytelling for advocacy.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
June 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Story Tech: Power, Storytelling, and Social Change Advocacy by Filippo Trevisan @michaelvaughan.bsky.social @lseinequalities.bsky.social @ariadnevromen.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @livunipress.bsky.social @uofmpress.bsky.social
#Review by Juliana Reimberg @cu-cardiffbusiness.bsky.social
#Review by Juliana Reimberg @cu-cardiffbusiness.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
🧵New @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @lseinequalities.bsky.social report by @wealtherty.bsky.social @michaelvaughan.bsky.social and Annalena Oppel:
We showcase three different ways of talking about wealth inequality and what difference it makes to public attitudes.
1/3
www.jrf.org.uk/wealth-fundi...
We showcase three different ways of talking about wealth inequality and what difference it makes to public attitudes.
1/3
www.jrf.org.uk/wealth-fundi...
Talking about wealth inequality
Looking at perceptions of, and attitudes towards, wealth and wealth inequality — and how to increase public support for a fairer distribution.
www.jrf.org.uk
June 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
🧵New @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @lseinequalities.bsky.social report by @wealtherty.bsky.social @michaelvaughan.bsky.social and Annalena Oppel:
We showcase three different ways of talking about wealth inequality and what difference it makes to public attitudes.
1/3
www.jrf.org.uk/wealth-fundi...
We showcase three different ways of talking about wealth inequality and what difference it makes to public attitudes.
1/3
www.jrf.org.uk/wealth-fundi...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Are you concerned by huge & escalating racial wealth inequalities in the UK? Please come to hear the launch of our @lseinequalities.bsky.social report for @runnymedetrust.bsky.social on 10th June. Features @shabna.bsky.social @kojokoram.bsky.social Faiza Shaheen & us!
www.lse.ac.uk/Internationa...
www.lse.ac.uk/Internationa...
Racial justice and wealth inequality: a call for action
Public event at LSE | Shabna Begum, Esiri Bukata, Kojo Koram, Mina Mahmoudzadeh, Mike Savage, Faiza Shaheen | Tues 10 June, 6.30 to 8.00pm
www.lse.ac.uk
May 23, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Are you concerned by huge & escalating racial wealth inequalities in the UK? Please come to hear the launch of our @lseinequalities.bsky.social report for @runnymedetrust.bsky.social on 10th June. Features @shabna.bsky.social @kojokoram.bsky.social Faiza Shaheen & us!
www.lse.ac.uk/Internationa...
www.lse.ac.uk/Internationa...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
Given the local election results in the UK, a short #thread - based on much of our own research - on the vicious cycle of radical right support that we have seen in many countries.
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
May 2, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Given the local election results in the UK, a short #thread - based on much of our own research - on the vicious cycle of radical right support that we have seen in many countries.
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
1) When radical right parties (such as Reform) are electorally successful established parties move right on immigration
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
The wealth of billionaires is growing very fast (7-9%/year). Let's be clear: a 2% wealth tax is an important first step, but it won't be enough to stabilize the ⤴️ concentration at the top. 5-10% is the minimum to stop inequality from rising. These questions must be part of open, democratic debates.
Want to #TaxTheRich? Try the new version of the Global #WealthTax Simulator 🎛️
✔️Select any region/country or the world as a whole
✔️Input your preferred tax rates
✔️Adjust depreciation or tax evasion parameters
✔️See how much revenue you'd raise
▶️ wid.world/news-article...
We tested with France 👇🇫🇷
✔️Select any region/country or the world as a whole
✔️Input your preferred tax rates
✔️Adjust depreciation or tax evasion parameters
✔️See how much revenue you'd raise
▶️ wid.world/news-article...
We tested with France 👇🇫🇷
April 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The wealth of billionaires is growing very fast (7-9%/year). Let's be clear: a 2% wealth tax is an important first step, but it won't be enough to stabilize the ⤴️ concentration at the top. 5-10% is the minimum to stop inequality from rising. These questions must be part of open, democratic debates.
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
138 NGO leaders tell Keir Starmer: "It is unacceptable that taxing extreme wealth was not looked at before cutting UK aid."
www.bond.org.uk/press-releas...
www.bond.org.uk/press-releas...
Move to cut UK aid will “destroy Labour’s legacy on international development” say NGO leaders in letter to PM and Treasury | Bond
138 leaders of NGOs from across the UK, including Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, World Vision UK, ONE, Christian Aid, Action Aid UK, Islamic Relief,
www.bond.org.uk
February 28, 2025 at 10:27 AM
138 NGO leaders tell Keir Starmer: "It is unacceptable that taxing extreme wealth was not looked at before cutting UK aid."
www.bond.org.uk/press-releas...
www.bond.org.uk/press-releas...
Out today - new article with @wealtherty.bsky.social on visual representations of wealth inequality, by UK news media and civil society orgs journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Out today - new article with @wealtherty.bsky.social on visual representations of wealth inequality, by UK news media and civil society orgs journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
It's difficult to engage in good faith in a discussion about 'compromise' proposals that dignify the phoney premise that we simply can't afford to scrap the two-child limit & benefit cap. £3.5bn would be incredible value for the poverty alleviation (& knock-on economic benefits) it would achieve
Parents of under-fives may be exempted from UK’s two-child benefit limit
Parents of under-fives may be exempted from UK’s two-child benefit limit
Exclusive: Ministers considering options to bring down child poverty without removing rule entirely
* UK politics live – latest updates
Parents of under-fives could be exempted from the government’s two-child benefit limit under a range of options…
www.theguardian.com
February 27, 2025 at 8:53 AM
It's difficult to engage in good faith in a discussion about 'compromise' proposals that dignify the phoney premise that we simply can't afford to scrap the two-child limit & benefit cap. £3.5bn would be incredible value for the poverty alleviation (& knock-on economic benefits) it would achieve
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
This will be great!
What are the risks of extreme wealth?
Join us on 6 March, 6.30pm for a panel discussion with Fernanda Balata, @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social, @garyseconomics.bsky.social, @deschuttero.bsky.social and Tania Burchardt as they explore the viability of an extreme wealth line.
Register here:
Join us on 6 March, 6.30pm for a panel discussion with Fernanda Balata, @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social, @garyseconomics.bsky.social, @deschuttero.bsky.social and Tania Burchardt as they explore the viability of an extreme wealth line.
Register here:
Where do we draw the line? Exploring an extreme wealth line
Public event at LSE | Ingrid Robeyns, Olivier De Schutter, Fernanda Balata, Gary Stevenson, Tania Burchardt | Thurs 6 March, 6.30 to 8.00pm
buff.ly
February 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
This will be great!
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
📣 New paper by @michaelvaughan.bsky.social, Ariadne Vromen and Serrin Rutledge-Prior
They explore how personal storytelling was used in the 2023 Voice referendum to argue against the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3EQ1f1Q
They explore how personal storytelling was used in the 2023 Voice referendum to argue against the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3EQ1f1Q
February 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
📣 New paper by @michaelvaughan.bsky.social, Ariadne Vromen and Serrin Rutledge-Prior
They explore how personal storytelling was used in the 2023 Voice referendum to argue against the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3EQ1f1Q
They explore how personal storytelling was used in the 2023 Voice referendum to argue against the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
🔗 https://buff.ly/3EQ1f1Q
Reposted by Michael Vaughan
My new article written with @serrinrp.bsky.social & @michaelvaughan.bsky.social has just been published in @bjpir.bsky.social
“Storytelling in the Australian 2023 voice referendum campaign” available OA at doi.org/10.1177/1369...
“Storytelling in the Australian 2023 voice referendum campaign” available OA at doi.org/10.1177/1369...
Storytelling in the Australian 2023 voice referendum campaign - Ariadne Vromen, Serrin Rutledge-Prior, Michael Vaughan, 2025
Personal stories are a strategic tool often used by advocacy movements to pursue claims for equality. In the 2023 Voice referendum campaign in Australia, person...
doi.org
February 21, 2025 at 8:14 AM
My new article written with @serrinrp.bsky.social & @michaelvaughan.bsky.social has just been published in @bjpir.bsky.social
“Storytelling in the Australian 2023 voice referendum campaign” available OA at doi.org/10.1177/1369...
“Storytelling in the Australian 2023 voice referendum campaign” available OA at doi.org/10.1177/1369...