Scott Williamson
@scottrw630.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Politics at Oxford studying authoritarianism, migration, and the Middle East. https://www.scott-williamson.com
Pinned
Scott Williamson
@scottrw630.bsky.social
· Nov 27
The King Can Do No Wrong
Cambridge Core - Middle East Government,Politics and Policy - The King Can Do No Wrong
www.cambridge.org
My book is out! I’m grateful for the many people in Jordan, Tunisia, Stanford, and elsewhere who helped it reach this point.
If you’re interested in why some autocrats stay popular or why ruling monarchs are so durable in today’s world, this book is for you!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/k...
If you’re interested in why some autocrats stay popular or why ruling monarchs are so durable in today’s world, this book is for you!
www.cambridge.org/core/books/k...
Reposted by Scott Williamson
I'd add to @benansell.bsky.social's political analysis here the simple point that a reset here would be *good* for growth and save money.
The settlement proposals are not just morally repulsive and politically self-defeating, but also an act of economic self-harm.
The settlement proposals are not just morally repulsive and politically self-defeating, but also an act of economic self-harm.
If Starmer wants a reset - and not yet another U-turn when the parliamentary party balks at a policy - here is his chance.
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
February 10, 2026 at 7:44 AM
I'd add to @benansell.bsky.social's political analysis here the simple point that a reset here would be *good* for growth and save money.
The settlement proposals are not just morally repulsive and politically self-defeating, but also an act of economic self-harm.
The settlement proposals are not just morally repulsive and politically self-defeating, but also an act of economic self-harm.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Starmer's reported condition - incredibly unpopular, shorn of authority, probably un-reelectable and yet will stagger on for want of an alternative - is just the new normal of how Britain is governed. It was also true for two-thirds of May's premiership, half of Johnson's and all of Sunak's.
February 6, 2026 at 11:48 AM
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Reposted by Scott Williamson
A way to support those affected by today's cuts a@washingtonpost.com.
The Washington Post Guild is overseeing a GoFundMe account
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
The Washington Post Guild is overseeing a GoFundMe account
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM
A way to support those affected by today's cuts a@washingtonpost.com.
The Washington Post Guild is overseeing a GoFundMe account
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
The Washington Post Guild is overseeing a GoFundMe account
www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Again, it’s worth pointing out that the Post costs literally 5% of what Bezos is sinking into Blue Origin. The savings here are a rounding error to him.
This isn’t about the money.
This isn’t about the money.
NEWS: The cuts were so severe that at least one department head asked to leave The Post rather than be included in the planning.
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Washington Post Begins Sweeping Layoffs
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Again, it’s worth pointing out that the Post costs literally 5% of what Bezos is sinking into Blue Origin. The savings here are a rounding error to him.
This isn’t about the money.
This isn’t about the money.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Solidarity with all of the talented journalists and media workers losing their jobs at the @washingtonpost.com today. As someone who leads a MENA policy organization, I cannot do my work without the nuanced and in-depth coverage of the region that foreign correspondents deliver.
February 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Solidarity with all of the talented journalists and media workers losing their jobs at the @washingtonpost.com today. As someone who leads a MENA policy organization, I cannot do my work without the nuanced and in-depth coverage of the region that foreign correspondents deliver.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
You could make the same argument for Labour in the UK. Too much electoral strategy, not enough political vision and leadership.
This part of our response essay is where I'm at. Boiling down all of politics to electoralism has been absolutely terrible for resisting rising authoritarianism.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
You could make the same argument for Labour in the UK. Too much electoral strategy, not enough political vision and leadership.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
1. Trump certainly wants to fully rig elections.
2. He has no actual plausible plan to do so.
3. We should absolutely take the threat very seriously and actively do what's possible to protect elections and democracy.
4. What's actually likely is success or failure at the margins; every bit counts.
2. He has no actual plausible plan to do so.
3. We should absolutely take the threat very seriously and actively do what's possible to protect elections and democracy.
4. What's actually likely is success or failure at the margins; every bit counts.
The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with January 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy. In a functioning republic, he would be impeached and removed from office today.
February 2, 2026 at 9:13 PM
1. Trump certainly wants to fully rig elections.
2. He has no actual plausible plan to do so.
3. We should absolutely take the threat very seriously and actively do what's possible to protect elections and democracy.
4. What's actually likely is success or failure at the margins; every bit counts.
2. He has no actual plausible plan to do so.
3. We should absolutely take the threat very seriously and actively do what's possible to protect elections and democracy.
4. What's actually likely is success or failure at the margins; every bit counts.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
I think this is also true - and not just process but quality of deliberation and reasoning
Many a social scientist have turned to me after listening to an exchange at oral argument and been like “these are the ‘philosophers in robes’?”
Many a social scientist have turned to me after listening to an exchange at oral argument and been like “these are the ‘philosophers in robes’?”
February 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I think this is also true - and not just process but quality of deliberation and reasoning
Many a social scientist have turned to me after listening to an exchange at oral argument and been like “these are the ‘philosophers in robes’?”
Many a social scientist have turned to me after listening to an exchange at oral argument and been like “these are the ‘philosophers in robes’?”
Reposted by Scott Williamson
To quote my colleague @gelliottmorris.com,
"There is very likely going to be a blue wave in November 2026. Trump will do what he can to disturb the election and stop Rs from losing the House. It probably won't work, but the probability of a tail outcome is worrisome, and the attempt is the story"
"There is very likely going to be a blue wave in November 2026. Trump will do what he can to disturb the election and stop Rs from losing the House. It probably won't work, but the probability of a tail outcome is worrisome, and the attempt is the story"
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:20 AM
To quote my colleague @gelliottmorris.com,
"There is very likely going to be a blue wave in November 2026. Trump will do what he can to disturb the election and stop Rs from losing the House. It probably won't work, but the probability of a tail outcome is worrisome, and the attempt is the story"
"There is very likely going to be a blue wave in November 2026. Trump will do what he can to disturb the election and stop Rs from losing the House. It probably won't work, but the probability of a tail outcome is worrisome, and the attempt is the story"
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Steve Levitsky, the co-author of How Democracies Die, on the dangerous place we have reached as Trump escalates:
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
January 31, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Steve Levitsky, the co-author of How Democracies Die, on the dangerous place we have reached as Trump escalates:
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
“Orbán doesn’t arrest journalists,” he said. “And in Hungary if you walk the streets of Budapest or other Hungarian cities, you will not find heavily armed masked men abducting people."
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Trump is quickly passing Mobutu Sese Seko in corruption, although it took Mobutu more than two decades to reach $4 billion.
“.. for most Trump investors, the year has been brutal. But .. for the President and his family, the money-making shows no sign of slowing.”
@newyorker.com
www.newyorker.com/news/a-repor...
@newyorker.com
www.newyorker.com/news/a-repor...
January 31, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Trump is quickly passing Mobutu Sese Seko in corruption, although it took Mobutu more than two decades to reach $4 billion.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
The President of the United States is essentially saying state agents were justified performing an extrajudicial execution because he kicked a government vehicle.
Just a fundamentally evil, malevolent person. Rotten to the very core.
January 30, 2026 at 4:04 PM
The President of the United States is essentially saying state agents were justified performing an extrajudicial execution because he kicked a government vehicle.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
I know a lot has been going on in just over 3 weeks--Venezuela, Greenland, Minneapolis.
But it's stunning that Trump is poised to launch a major military attack on Iran with open-ended goals (likely regime change but unclear) and there is no significant domestic debate about it.
But it's stunning that Trump is poised to launch a major military attack on Iran with open-ended goals (likely regime change but unclear) and there is no significant domestic debate about it.
Trump warned Iran that time is running out to make a deal with the US, noting that a fleet of US warships entering to the region is ready to complete their mission “with speed and violence.”
Trump Warns Iran That Time Is Running Out as Ships Enter Region
President Donald Trump warned Iran to make a nuclear deal with the US or face military strikes far worse than the attack he ordered last June, ratcheting up pressure on the regime even as regional leaders sought to spur fresh diplomacy between the adversaries.
bloom.bg
January 28, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I know a lot has been going on in just over 3 weeks--Venezuela, Greenland, Minneapolis.
But it's stunning that Trump is poised to launch a major military attack on Iran with open-ended goals (likely regime change but unclear) and there is no significant domestic debate about it.
But it's stunning that Trump is poised to launch a major military attack on Iran with open-ended goals (likely regime change but unclear) and there is no significant domestic debate about it.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
New at Can We Still Govern: NIH scientist @markhisted.org reviews the damage done to American biomedical science in the last year and looks ahead:
"Scientists should not be political partisans, but they should be partisans for liberal democratic principles."🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/american-b...
"Scientists should not be political partisans, but they should be partisans for liberal democratic principles."🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/american-b...
American biomedical science in 2026
Where we are, how we got here, and what to do next
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:12 PM
New at Can We Still Govern: NIH scientist @markhisted.org reviews the damage done to American biomedical science in the last year and looks ahead:
"Scientists should not be political partisans, but they should be partisans for liberal democratic principles."🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/american-b...
"Scientists should not be political partisans, but they should be partisans for liberal democratic principles."🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/american-b...
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told his officers that they have a duty to intervene if they see ICE committing crimes and will be fired if they don't. We need a lot more of this.
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now
January 28, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told his officers that they have a duty to intervene if they see ICE committing crimes and will be fired if they don't. We need a lot more of this.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
But I do have one question.
When you get to your little place in El Centro, I imagine you are going to take off that handsome-looking Border Patrol uniform of yours.
A reminder that the awful & illegal things keep happening & have since 1865, because there are never any actual legal consequences.
When you get to your little place in El Centro, I imagine you are going to take off that handsome-looking Border Patrol uniform of yours.
A reminder that the awful & illegal things keep happening & have since 1865, because there are never any actual legal consequences.
January 26, 2026 at 11:52 PM
But I do have one question.
When you get to your little place in El Centro, I imagine you are going to take off that handsome-looking Border Patrol uniform of yours.
A reminder that the awful & illegal things keep happening & have since 1865, because there are never any actual legal consequences.
When you get to your little place in El Centro, I imagine you are going to take off that handsome-looking Border Patrol uniform of yours.
A reminder that the awful & illegal things keep happening & have since 1865, because there are never any actual legal consequences.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
Two weeks ago this guy announced he was providing legal help to the agent who shot Renee Good. That's how quickly the winds are shifting.
pretty wild statement re: Republican Chris Madel drop from race for MN governor:
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
"Saying he cannot support the national GOP's 'stated retribution on citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
January 26, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Two weeks ago this guy announced he was providing legal help to the agent who shot Renee Good. That's how quickly the winds are shifting.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
I think about this from Aristotle a lot. Democracy requires equality, but some people cannot stand to be equal with others and seek to overthrow democracy.
"Inferiors become revolutionaries in order to be equals and equals become revolutionaries in order to be superiors." Aristotle, Politics
"Inferiors become revolutionaries in order to be equals and equals become revolutionaries in order to be superiors." Aristotle, Politics
January 26, 2026 at 12:45 PM
I think about this from Aristotle a lot. Democracy requires equality, but some people cannot stand to be equal with others and seek to overthrow democracy.
"Inferiors become revolutionaries in order to be equals and equals become revolutionaries in order to be superiors." Aristotle, Politics
"Inferiors become revolutionaries in order to be equals and equals become revolutionaries in order to be superiors." Aristotle, Politics
Reposted by Scott Williamson
That being said, we do need to be thinking more along the lines of how competitive authoritarian regimes target the "fair" rather than "free" part of elections. The big one — which is happening — is media consolation in the hands of regime-supporting oligarchs.
I agree. The more likely scenario is interdicting the results. Maybe @jamellebouie.net considers that separate from "rigging." I don't.
January 25, 2026 at 5:02 PM
That being said, we do need to be thinking more along the lines of how competitive authoritarian regimes target the "fair" rather than "free" part of elections. The big one — which is happening — is media consolation in the hands of regime-supporting oligarchs.
Reposted by Scott Williamson
most of these things can be true at the same time and some are manifestations of the same thing, but I am afraid that this is - like Brexit - a number 4: a huge level of volatility and uncertainty that nullifies long-term norms and stable moral signals that economic stakeholders usually follow
A few thoughts on why there hasn’t been more pushback from the business community:
1) Coordination is hard
2) Crony capitalism benefits many of them
3) They agree with his policies
4) It’s a new era for US political economy and so there’s uncertainty on how to navigate it
5) They’re scared
1) Coordination is hard
2) Crony capitalism benefits many of them
3) They agree with his policies
4) It’s a new era for US political economy and so there’s uncertainty on how to navigate it
5) They’re scared
January 25, 2026 at 8:27 PM
most of these things can be true at the same time and some are manifestations of the same thing, but I am afraid that this is - like Brexit - a number 4: a huge level of volatility and uncertainty that nullifies long-term norms and stable moral signals that economic stakeholders usually follow
Reposted by Scott Williamson
I'd add universities, too
January 25, 2026 at 5:36 PM
I'd add universities, too
Reposted by Scott Williamson
