Rahel Freiburghaus
@rfrbrghs.bsky.social
Assistant Professor @unil.bsky.social, Switzerland │ Swiss & Comparative Politics, Democracy, Political Institutions, Federalism, (Intergovernmental) Lobbying │ Also @leewas.bsky.social @chplusplus.bsky.social │Views my own
Pinned
Rahel Freiburghaus
@rfrbrghs.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Happy book publication day—thrilled that our HANDBOOK OF COMPARATIVE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS is now officially published!
It features 31 chapters authored by 50+ leading authorities. We hope that it will contribute to the (re-)emergent study of institutions, a founding pillar of polisky econsky
It features 31 chapters authored by 50+ leading authorities. We hope that it will contribute to the (re-)emergent study of institutions, a founding pillar of polisky econsky
To celebrate the publication of our HANDBOOK OF COMPARATIVE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS and our awesome contributors, I’m kicking off a pre-holiday challenge: every day, I’ll share a short intro to one of its chapters.
This is also an opportunity to connect with new colleagues, so please feel free to 📌!
This is also an opportunity to connect with new colleagues, so please feel free to 📌!
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Russia, Venezuela, Iran, China, the Sahel region, the United States ...
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
February 16, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Russia, Venezuela, Iran, China, the Sahel region, the United States ...
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
„Extremism never triumphs on its own. It only does so because others enable it – out of ambition, fear, or because they misjudge the dangers of making small concessions“ — Prof. @dziblatt.bsky.social (@europeatharvard.bsky.social)
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
(S+) Bestsellerautor Daniel Ziblatt über den Verfall der Demokratie in den USA: »Wir können uns auf nichts verlassen«
Der Harvard-Professor Daniel Ziblatt forscht seit Jahren über den Verfall von Demokratien. Nun muss er zusehen, wie seine eigene Welt wankt.
share.google
February 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM
„Extremism never triumphs on its own. It only does so because others enable it – out of ambition, fear, or because they misjudge the dangers of making small concessions“ — Prof. @dziblatt.bsky.social (@europeatharvard.bsky.social)
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
„Extremism never triumphs on its own. It only does so because others enable it – out of ambition, fear, or because they misjudge the dangers of making small concessions“ — Prof. @dziblatt.bsky.social (@europeatharvard.bsky.social)
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
(S+) Bestsellerautor Daniel Ziblatt über den Verfall der Demokratie in den USA: »Wir können uns auf nichts verlassen«
Der Harvard-Professor Daniel Ziblatt forscht seit Jahren über den Verfall von Demokratien. Nun muss er zusehen, wie seine eigene Welt wankt.
share.google
February 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM
„Extremism never triumphs on its own. It only does so because others enable it – out of ambition, fear, or because they misjudge the dangers of making small concessions“ — Prof. @dziblatt.bsky.social (@europeatharvard.bsky.social)
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
Source: @spiegel.de share.google/3o5W5Ub6pAFW...
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Even CNN has now covered the fact that the Swiss far right SVP shared an AI-generated image: wealthy elites clinking champagne glasses on a throne above a crowd of frustrated workers.
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
February 15, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Even CNN has now covered the fact that the Swiss far right SVP shared an AI-generated image: wealthy elites clinking champagne glasses on a throne above a crowd of frustrated workers.
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Even CNN has now covered the fact that the Swiss far right SVP shared an AI-generated image: wealthy elites clinking champagne glasses on a throne above a crowd of frustrated workers.
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
February 15, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Even CNN has now covered the fact that the Swiss far right SVP shared an AI-generated image: wealthy elites clinking champagne glasses on a throne above a crowd of frustrated workers.
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Yet, no Swiss party has more MPs with formal ties to banks & the financial lobby (source: @lobbywatch.bsky.social)
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Eine Demokratiereform für die Schweiz: In den letzten 3 Jahre habe ich intensiv an einem Buchmanuskript dazu gerarbeitet.
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
February 10, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Eine Demokratiereform für die Schweiz: In den letzten 3 Jahre habe ich intensiv an einem Buchmanuskript dazu gerarbeitet.
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Update: Franjo von Allmen is now a *three-time* Olympic gold champion, winning all three alpine speed events in *just four days*
🥇🥇🥇
Remeber: At 17, after losing his father and facing serious financial struggles, his career was close to ending #Olympics
🥇🥇🥇
Remeber: At 17, after losing his father and facing serious financial struggles, his career was close to ending #Olympics
Franjo von Allmen — gold medalist and Olympic champion! 🇨🇭🥇
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
Franjo von Allmen has won the first gold medal of the Winter Olympics after Ireland’s Cormac Comerford failed to beat the leading time in the last run of the men’s downhill event.
https://cnn.it/4kqGxGD
https://cnn.it/4kqGxGD
February 11, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Update: Franjo von Allmen is now a *three-time* Olympic gold champion, winning all three alpine speed events in *just four days*
🥇🥇🥇
Remeber: At 17, after losing his father and facing serious financial struggles, his career was close to ending #Olympics
🥇🥇🥇
Remeber: At 17, after losing his father and facing serious financial struggles, his career was close to ending #Olympics
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
#POLITKOLUMNE: The Trump admin has put unprecedented pressure on Fed Chair Powell, prompting other central bankers to stress the importance of CB independence. This fits a broader pattern: populist governments undermine checks and balances, and try to weaponize them www.derbund.ch/wie-unabhaen...
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 AM
#POLITKOLUMNE: The Trump admin has put unprecedented pressure on Fed Chair Powell, prompting other central bankers to stress the importance of CB independence. This fits a broader pattern: populist governments undermine checks and balances, and try to weaponize them www.derbund.ch/wie-unabhaen...
Eine Demokratiereform für die Schweiz: In den letzten 3 Jahre habe ich intensiv an einem Buchmanuskript dazu gerarbeitet.
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
February 10, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Eine Demokratiereform für die Schweiz: In den letzten 3 Jahre habe ich intensiv an einem Buchmanuskript dazu gerarbeitet.
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Nun freue ich mich sehr, einige Befunde im Rahmen der öffentl Vorlesungsreihe an der HSG /Universität St. Gallen zu präsentieren (9.3., 18:45h) www.unisg.ch/de/news/vera...
Switzerland, above the sea of fog—or: „übrm näbumeer“, as we say.
Looking very much forward to hosting my dear colleague Prof. @clandwehr.bsky.social next week!
Looking very much forward to hosting my dear colleague Prof. @clandwehr.bsky.social next week!
February 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Switzerland, above the sea of fog—or: „übrm näbumeer“, as we say.
Looking very much forward to hosting my dear colleague Prof. @clandwehr.bsky.social next week!
Looking very much forward to hosting my dear colleague Prof. @clandwehr.bsky.social next week!
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
There are fewer and fewer farmers in Switzerland’s population.
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
February 5, 2026 at 9:43 AM
There are fewer and fewer farmers in Switzerland’s population.
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Franjo von Allmen — gold medalist and Olympic champion! 🇨🇭🥇
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
Franjo von Allmen has won the first gold medal of the Winter Olympics after Ireland’s Cormac Comerford failed to beat the leading time in the last run of the men’s downhill event.
https://cnn.it/4kqGxGD
https://cnn.it/4kqGxGD
February 7, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Franjo von Allmen — gold medalist and Olympic champion! 🇨🇭🥇
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
What many do not know is that his now-stellar career was once thrown into limbo when he tragically lost his father at just 17. At that moment, he even needed crowdfunding support to secure the funding required to continue his career #Milan
Older adults do well at identifying misinformation, but they’re also likelier than younger adults to like & share it online.
Why? Older adults have stronger tendency to seek out & believe information that supports pre-existing views while avoiding conflicting data news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Why? Older adults have stronger tendency to seek out & believe information that supports pre-existing views while avoiding conflicting data news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Why are older adults more likely to share misinformation online? — Harvard Gazette
They have greater tendency to seek out, believe material that conforms to pre-existing views, expert says.
news.harvard.edu
February 7, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Older adults do well at identifying misinformation, but they’re also likelier than younger adults to like & share it online.
Why? Older adults have stronger tendency to seek out & believe information that supports pre-existing views while avoiding conflicting data news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Why? Older adults have stronger tendency to seek out & believe information that supports pre-existing views while avoiding conflicting data news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Die Fragen, die man sich vor der #Halbierungsintiative stellen müsste: Was können private Medien (nicht) leisten, die auf Reichweite und Klicks zielen müssen?
Und was sind uns die Öffentlich-Rechtlichen als Infrastruktur für Demokratie und Föderalismus wert? www.derbund.ch/srg-halbieru...
Und was sind uns die Öffentlich-Rechtlichen als Infrastruktur für Demokratie und Föderalismus wert? www.derbund.ch/srg-halbieru...
January 19, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Die Fragen, die man sich vor der #Halbierungsintiative stellen müsste: Was können private Medien (nicht) leisten, die auf Reichweite und Klicks zielen müssen?
Und was sind uns die Öffentlich-Rechtlichen als Infrastruktur für Demokratie und Föderalismus wert? www.derbund.ch/srg-halbieru...
Und was sind uns die Öffentlich-Rechtlichen als Infrastruktur für Demokratie und Föderalismus wert? www.derbund.ch/srg-halbieru...
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
As long as we can still ski, I wanna do the all white Brazil x Moncler #OlympicGames #Milan
February 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
As long as we can still ski, I wanna do the all white Brazil x Moncler #OlympicGames #Milan
Polisky! Are you aware of a typology of the different actors involved in policy-making that would be particularly suitable for students?
Thx for any tips you’d be willing to share, e.g. @wmjunk.bsky.social @eaizenberg.bsky.social @michelecrepaz.bsky.social !
PS: I’ve prev used Baumgartner et al
Thx for any tips you’d be willing to share, e.g. @wmjunk.bsky.social @eaizenberg.bsky.social @michelecrepaz.bsky.social !
PS: I’ve prev used Baumgartner et al
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Polisky! Are you aware of a typology of the different actors involved in policy-making that would be particularly suitable for students?
Thx for any tips you’d be willing to share, e.g. @wmjunk.bsky.social @eaizenberg.bsky.social @michelecrepaz.bsky.social !
PS: I’ve prev used Baumgartner et al
Thx for any tips you’d be willing to share, e.g. @wmjunk.bsky.social @eaizenberg.bsky.social @michelecrepaz.bsky.social !
PS: I’ve prev used Baumgartner et al
There are fewer and fewer farmers in Switzerland’s population.
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
February 5, 2026 at 9:43 AM
There are fewer and fewer farmers in Switzerland’s population.
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Yet politically, they are more influential than ever.
How did a shrinking group become such a powerful political force?
And what’s the secret behind their long-term lobbying success?
New publication: abo.nzz.ch/m_99998148_1/
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
93% of Swiss citizens believe direct democracy is key to social cohesion—much more than Switzerland’s multiparty government („Konkordanz“) and far more than the idea of no full-time politicians („Milizsystem“).
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 PM
93% of Swiss citizens believe direct democracy is key to social cohesion—much more than Switzerland’s multiparty government („Konkordanz“) and far more than the idea of no full-time politicians („Milizsystem“).
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
93% of Swiss citizens believe direct democracy is key to social cohesion—much more than Switzerland’s multiparty government („Konkordanz“) and far more than the idea of no full-time politicians („Milizsystem“).
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 PM
93% of Swiss citizens believe direct democracy is key to social cohesion—much more than Switzerland’s multiparty government („Konkordanz“) and far more than the idea of no full-time politicians („Milizsystem“).
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
Yet also: One in three struggles to accept voting results sotomo.ch/site/wp-cont...
“I’m not confident that we will even conduct elections.”
— Mark Wolf, former Federal Judge
www.srf.ch/news/interna...
— Mark Wolf, former Federal Judge
www.srf.ch/news/interna...
USA: Ex-Bundesrichter Mark Wolf zeichnet ein düsteres Bild
Instrumentalisierung der US-Justiz: Mark Wolf rechnet unter dem amtierenden US-Präsidenten mit dem Schlimmsten.
www.srf.ch
February 3, 2026 at 8:20 PM
“I’m not confident that we will even conduct elections.”
— Mark Wolf, former Federal Judge
www.srf.ch/news/interna...
— Mark Wolf, former Federal Judge
www.srf.ch/news/interna...
Switzerland will soon vote on a polular initiative to cut media licence fee that would basically slash public broadcasting as an infrastructure of democracy.
What a timely exposition @unil.bsky.social on «La télévision en Suisse: 75 ans sous tension» tvsoustension.ch
What a timely exposition @unil.bsky.social on «La télévision en Suisse: 75 ans sous tension» tvsoustension.ch
February 3, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Switzerland will soon vote on a polular initiative to cut media licence fee that would basically slash public broadcasting as an infrastructure of democracy.
What a timely exposition @unil.bsky.social on «La télévision en Suisse: 75 ans sous tension» tvsoustension.ch
What a timely exposition @unil.bsky.social on «La télévision en Suisse: 75 ans sous tension» tvsoustension.ch
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
Seit seiner Rückkehr ins Weiße Haus geht Donald Trump gegen die Eliteuniversitäten im Land vor. Nun startet der US-Präsident einen neuen Erpressungsversuch gegen Harvard.
Donald Trump verlangt eine Milliarde US-Dollar von Harvard
Seit seiner Rückkehr ins Weiße Haus geht Donald Trump gegen die Eliteuniversitäten im Land vor. Nun startet der US-Präsident einen neuen Erpressungsversuch gegen Harvard.
www.spiegel.de
February 3, 2026 at 6:33 AM
Seit seiner Rückkehr ins Weiße Haus geht Donald Trump gegen die Eliteuniversitäten im Land vor. Nun startet der US-Präsident einen neuen Erpressungsversuch gegen Harvard.
Excited to meeting you all at the inaugural @epssnet.bsky.social in Belfast!
Acceptances (+ rejections 😔) on panel & paper proposals for this year’s EPSS conference in Belfast 18-20 June went out today.
If you have submitted, please check your inbox!
You need to register for the conference by Friday 13 March.
1/3
If you have submitted, please check your inbox!
You need to register for the conference by Friday 13 March.
1/3
February 2, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Excited to meeting you all at the inaugural @epssnet.bsky.social in Belfast!
Reposted by Rahel Freiburghaus
#DemocraticBacksliding: The erosion of US democracy under Trump is steeper than any recent precedent, including Hungary, Venezuela, Turkey, R//ZZ.l'a/nd
Source: Financial Times @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/b474...
Source: Financial Times @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/b474...
January 31, 2026 at 10:53 AM
#DemocraticBacksliding: The erosion of US democracy under Trump is steeper than any recent precedent, including Hungary, Venezuela, Turkey, R//ZZ.l'a/nd
Source: Financial Times @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/b474...
Source: Financial Times @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/b474...