Michael Albertus
@mikealbertus.bsky.social
Professor @UChicago Political Science | Democracy, dictatorship, conflict, property, the Americas | Author of Land Power
Pinned
Very excited to announce the release of my new book today, Land Power! Based on 15 years of work, it tells the story of how land shapes societies, from racial hierarchy to inequality, development, gender & the environment.
In hardcover/eBook/audiobook. More in 🧵
In hardcover/eBook/audiobook. More in 🧵
Immigration and crime are roiling the upcoming presidential election in #Chile much as they did in the US. It's poised to join the rightward shift in Latin America.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/immigratio...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/immigratio...
Immigration, Crime, and the Lurch Right
A dispatch from Chile prior to elections, with eerie parallels to the US
michaelalbertus.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Immigration and crime are roiling the upcoming presidential election in #Chile much as they did in the US. It's poised to join the rightward shift in Latin America.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/immigratio...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/immigratio...
My interview with @utaustin.bsky.social professor Raul Madrid on how democracy arose in South America, and what that tells us about democracy today.
@raullorcamadrid.bsky.social @universitypress.cambridge.org
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-birth-...
@raullorcamadrid.bsky.social @universitypress.cambridge.org
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-birth-...
The Birth of Democracy in South America
My interview with University of Texas Professor Raúl Madrid on his new book on the origins of democracy
michaelalbertus.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
My interview with @utaustin.bsky.social professor Raul Madrid on how democracy arose in South America, and what that tells us about democracy today.
@raullorcamadrid.bsky.social @universitypress.cambridge.org
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-birth-...
@raullorcamadrid.bsky.social @universitypress.cambridge.org
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-birth-...
My interview with @umich.edu professor Dan Slater on the current landscape of democracy and authoritarianism in the US & abroad. "Short-term extremely pessimistic and long-term at least somewhat optimistic"; watch out for weak authoritarians; fire up the non-cooperation & more
@dnsltr.bsky.social
@dnsltr.bsky.social
Amid a Global Democratic Recession, There Are Reasons for Hope
My interview with University of Michigan Professor Dan Slater on the current landscape of democracy and authoritarianism
michaelalbertus.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
My interview with @umich.edu professor Dan Slater on the current landscape of democracy and authoritarianism in the US & abroad. "Short-term extremely pessimistic and long-term at least somewhat optimistic"; watch out for weak authoritarians; fire up the non-cooperation & more
@dnsltr.bsky.social
@dnsltr.bsky.social
Happy to have shared my thoughts in this piece in @chicagotribune.com on Trump's escalating attacks on democracy, and his targeting of Chicago
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
‘Devil’s ideology’: President Donald Trump’s darkening rhetoric escalates attacks and often targets Illinois
President Donald Trump’s language to discredit opponents has included Illinois and the Chicago area where protesters have been compared to domestic terrorists and the president has called for…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Happy to have shared my thoughts in this piece in @chicagotribune.com on Trump's escalating attacks on democracy, and his targeting of Chicago
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/t...
My interview with Democratic Erosion Consortium Directors @robertblair.bsky.social, Laura Paler, Jessica Gottlieb, and Julie Anne Weaver on their *new global dataset* on democracy! And on how to measure and understand democracy today, in the US & abroad
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Q&A with Directors of the Democratic Erosion Consortium
How their work helps us understand democracy & democratic erosion in the US and globally
michaelalbertus.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
My interview with Democratic Erosion Consortium Directors @robertblair.bsky.social, Laura Paler, Jessica Gottlieb, and Julie Anne Weaver on their *new global dataset* on democracy! And on how to measure and understand democracy today, in the US & abroad
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
A federal judge is currently hearing whether #Trump can turn #Chicago into the latest military "training ground". On the back of last week's ICE raid in South Shore, it's a combustible (and unnecessary) situation. And it hits close to home
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/chicago-is...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/chicago-is...
Chicago is Now a Military "Training Ground"
National Guard troops are deploying to the city to support ICE agents, creating a combustible situation
michaelalbertus.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A federal judge is currently hearing whether #Trump can turn #Chicago into the latest military "training ground". On the back of last week's ICE raid in South Shore, it's a combustible (and unnecessary) situation. And it hits close to home
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/chicago-is...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/chicago-is...
The Trump administration is using the government shutdown as an opportunity to double down on its attacks on political enemies. That raises risks for American democracy. More here on where this could go 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/dangers-of...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/dangers-of...
The Government Shutdown Raises Risks for American Democracy
The Trump administration is poised to use the shutdown as an opportunity to double down on its attacks on political enemies
michaelalbertus.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The Trump administration is using the government shutdown as an opportunity to double down on its attacks on political enemies. That raises risks for American democracy. More here on where this could go 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/dangers-of...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/dangers-of...
My interview with @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social Dean Will Howell and @stanforduniversity.bsky.social Prof. Terry Moe, leading experts on the American presidency, on their important new book The Rise of the Strongman Presidency @princetonupress.bsky.social
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
The Rise of the Strongman Presidency
My interview with Johns Hopkins Professor William Howell and Stanford Professor Terry Moe on their new book on the transformation of presidential power
michaelalbertus.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
My interview with @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social Dean Will Howell and @stanforduniversity.bsky.social Prof. Terry Moe, leading experts on the American presidency, on their important new book The Rise of the Strongman Presidency @princetonupress.bsky.social
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
The temperature is rising in American politics. Charlie Kirk's assassination is part of a growing wave of political violence that threatens the stability of our democracy and is very unusual among advanced democracies.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rising...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rising...
The Rising Tide of Political Violence
Charlie Kirk's assassination is part of a disturbing decade-old trend in the US that sets it apart from other advanced democracies
michaelalbertus.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The temperature is rising in American politics. Charlie Kirk's assassination is part of a growing wave of political violence that threatens the stability of our democracy and is very unusual among advanced democracies.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rising...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-rising...
My interview with social change experts and philosophy professors @michaelbrownstein.bsky.social, Dan Kelly, and Alex Madva on their fantastic new book Somebody Should Do Something. A must read if you’re thinking about big social problems, how they change, and what you can do @mitpress.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
My interview with social change experts and philosophy professors @michaelbrownstein.bsky.social, Dan Kelly, and Alex Madva on their fantastic new book Somebody Should Do Something. A must read if you’re thinking about big social problems, how they change, and what you can do @mitpress.bsky.social
The renaming of the Department of Defense as the Department of War signals a deeper geopolitical shift that departs from the postwar global order
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The Coming Age of Territorial Expansion
Climate change will fuel contests—and maybe wars—for land and resources.
www.foreignaffairs.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The renaming of the Department of Defense as the Department of War signals a deeper geopolitical shift that departs from the postwar global order
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
#Trump's airstrike on a boat from #Venezuela signals an increasingly reliance on "tough on crime" political branding and advances in the international arena the same sense of unilateral authority that he has been pursuing domestically 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-drug-w...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-drug-w...
The Drug War Moves to…Venezuela?
The Trump administration’s brazen airstrike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat from Venezuela signals an increasing reliance on "tough on crime" political branding
michaelalbertus.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
#Trump's airstrike on a boat from #Venezuela signals an increasingly reliance on "tough on crime" political branding and advances in the international arena the same sense of unilateral authority that he has been pursuing domestically 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-drug-w...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-drug-w...
Just published! 🎉 My paper "Indigenous Community Recognition and Identity: Evidence from Peru" @cpsjournal.bsky.social. It shows how & why indigenous recognition impacts self-identification for those who experience it – and for later generations that don't.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Indigenous Community Recognition and Identity: Evidence from Peru - Michael Albertus, 2025
Collective recognition of indigenous claims to land and traditional authority has advanced rapidly in recent decades in many countries. How do these processes i...
journals.sagepub.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Just published! 🎉 My paper "Indigenous Community Recognition and Identity: Evidence from Peru" @cpsjournal.bsky.social. It shows how & why indigenous recognition impacts self-identification for those who experience it – and for later generations that don't.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
#Trump's politicized firing of Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook threatens its independence and could destabilize the American economy. It also marks a major departure among advanced democracies of central bank independence, which has tamed inflation and unemployment 👇
August 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
#Trump's politicized firing of Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook threatens its independence and could destabilize the American economy. It also marks a major departure among advanced democracies of central bank independence, which has tamed inflation and unemployment 👇
Democracy is under assault in the US & abroad by elected leaders entrusted to preserve it. My interview with UChicago Professor Susan Stokes, a leading expert on democracy, tells why, based on her new book The Backsliders (@princetonupress.bsky.social)
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-backsl...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-backsl...
The Backsliders
My interview with University of Chicago Professor Susan Stokes on her new book on democratic erosion around the globe
michaelalbertus.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Democracy is under assault in the US & abroad by elected leaders entrusted to preserve it. My interview with UChicago Professor Susan Stokes, a leading expert on democracy, tells why, based on her new book The Backsliders (@princetonupress.bsky.social)
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-backsl...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-backsl...
My interview with Harvard legal scholar and elections expert @profnickstephan.bsky.social on Texas's redistricting. We cover the legal landscape of gerrymandering, how Texas's move impacts other state plans to redistrict, and what it means for democracy
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Q&A With Election Law Expert Nick Stephanopoulos on Texas Republicans' Extreme Partisan Gerrymander
Why the rare move threatens local representation and the partisan balance in the US House – and could spark widespread partisan redistricting
michaelalbertus.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
My interview with Harvard legal scholar and elections expert @profnickstephan.bsky.social on Texas's redistricting. We cover the legal landscape of gerrymandering, how Texas's move impacts other state plans to redistrict, and what it means for democracy
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Trump's proposal to redefine "persons" in the #census – by excluding immigrants without legal status – aims at giving Republicans a durable political advantage. A deep dive on it, with a key map that helps understand the dynamics, here 👇
August 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Trump's proposal to redefine "persons" in the #census – by excluding immigrants without legal status – aims at giving Republicans a durable political advantage. A deep dive on it, with a key map that helps understand the dynamics, here 👇
What does it mean to look at power through the lens of land stewardship and ownership? My interview on Green Dreamer with @greendreamerkamea.bsky.social. We talk capitalism, culture, ecology, politics, and more. Based on my new book, Land Power
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Mike Albertus: Reshuffling land, reconfiguring power
Podcast Episode · Green Dreamer: Seeding change towards collective healing, sustainability, regeneration · 08/08/2025 · 54m
podcasts.apple.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
What does it mean to look at power through the lens of land stewardship and ownership? My interview on Green Dreamer with @greendreamerkamea.bsky.social. We talk capitalism, culture, ecology, politics, and more. Based on my new book, Land Power
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
My interview with election law expert
@profnickstephan.bsky.social on #Texas Republicans' extreme partisan #Gerrymandering. Why the rare move threatens representation and the balance in the US House – and could spark widespread partisan redistricting. 👇
@profnickstephan.bsky.social on #Texas Republicans' extreme partisan #Gerrymandering. Why the rare move threatens representation and the balance in the US House – and could spark widespread partisan redistricting. 👇
August 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
My interview with election law expert
@profnickstephan.bsky.social on #Texas Republicans' extreme partisan #Gerrymandering. Why the rare move threatens representation and the balance in the US House – and could spark widespread partisan redistricting. 👇
@profnickstephan.bsky.social on #Texas Republicans' extreme partisan #Gerrymandering. Why the rare move threatens representation and the balance in the US House – and could spark widespread partisan redistricting. 👇
Excited to share a podcast on my new book, Land Power, out today @amprestigepod.bsky.social ! On how land power has shaped society across the ages – and continues to be fundamental to inequality, political power, and development today.
open.spotify.com/episode/71ym...
open.spotify.com/episode/71ym...
E221 - Land Power w/ Michael Albertus
American Prestige · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Excited to share a podcast on my new book, Land Power, out today @amprestigepod.bsky.social ! On how land power has shaped society across the ages – and continues to be fundamental to inequality, political power, and development today.
open.spotify.com/episode/71ym...
open.spotify.com/episode/71ym...
Reposted by Michael Albertus
E221 - Land Power w/ @mikealbertus.bsky.social
Michael Albertus from the University of Chicago talks to Danny and Derek about land: historical notions of ownership, race and gender relations around it, and environmental outcomes of its exploitation.
Link in the replies!
Michael Albertus from the University of Chicago talks to Danny and Derek about land: historical notions of ownership, race and gender relations around it, and environmental outcomes of its exploitation.
Link in the replies!
August 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
E221 - Land Power w/ @mikealbertus.bsky.social
Michael Albertus from the University of Chicago talks to Danny and Derek about land: historical notions of ownership, race and gender relations around it, and environmental outcomes of its exploitation.
Link in the replies!
Michael Albertus from the University of Chicago talks to Danny and Derek about land: historical notions of ownership, race and gender relations around it, and environmental outcomes of its exploitation.
Link in the replies!
With the #DOJ being cleared out over #January6, I interviewed senior J6 prosecutor and co-director of Yale's rule of law clinic Sonia Mittal on her work and on the practice of law now
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Q&A With Senior January 6th Prosecutor Sonia Mittal
We discuss the increasingly critical gap between the current practice of law and the reality of democratic erosion – and what can be done about it
michaelalbertus.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 10:47 AM
With the #DOJ being cleared out over #January6, I interviewed senior J6 prosecutor and co-director of Yale's rule of law clinic Sonia Mittal on her work and on the practice of law now
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
My interview with a senior January 6th prosecutor on the increasingly critical gap between the current practice of law and the reality of democratic erosion – and what can be done about it. Sonia now co-leads a rule of law clinic at Yale Law School.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Q&A With Senior January 6th Prosecutor Sonia Mittal
We discuss the increasingly critical gap between the current practice of law and the reality of democratic erosion – and what can be done about it
michaelalbertus.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
My interview with a senior January 6th prosecutor on the increasingly critical gap between the current practice of law and the reality of democratic erosion – and what can be done about it. Sonia now co-leads a rule of law clinic at Yale Law School.
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Columbia's agreement with the Trump administration will only embolden its heavy-handed approach to higher education. My latest post 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/columbia-u...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/columbia-u...
Columbia University Bends Its Knee to the Trump Administration
Its agreement to onerous punishment without credible resolution will only embolden the administration’s authoritarian approach to higher education
michaelalbertus.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Columbia's agreement with the Trump administration will only embolden its heavy-handed approach to higher education. My latest post 👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/columbia-u...
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/columbia-u...
From trade to immigration & the Big Beautiful Bill, the foundations of #Trumpism are now in place. What will determine its fate? Insights from political science
👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-founda...
👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-founda...
The Foundations of Trumpism Are in Place. What Will Determine its Fate?
Political science offers a range of insights into the present moment
michaelalbertus.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:40 PM
From trade to immigration & the Big Beautiful Bill, the foundations of #Trumpism are now in place. What will determine its fate? Insights from political science
👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-founda...
👇
michaelalbertus.substack.com/p/the-founda...