Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
Recalcitrant Canadian. Political scientist at UBC in Vancouver. I research, teach and talk international relations, BCpoli, comparative democratic institutions, and contentious politics. stewartprest.ca | https://stewartprest.substack.com
Pinned
Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
· Apr 12
All of this would be hilarious if it weren't so serious.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
In this "new" article published in @jeppjournal.bsky.social, Atle Haugsgjerd, @rubenmathisen.bsky.social and I examine how political representation of the populist radical right (PRR) in Europe affects citizens’ satisfaction with democracy.
Populist radical right party representation and satisfaction with democracy in Europe
This paper examines how political representation of the populist radical right (PRR) in Europe affects citizens’ satisfaction with democracy. Earlier research provides conflicting expectations: Som...
www.tandfonline.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
In this "new" article published in @jeppjournal.bsky.social, Atle Haugsgjerd, @rubenmathisen.bsky.social and I examine how political representation of the populist radical right (PRR) in Europe affects citizens’ satisfaction with democracy.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
“Thirty-seven MEPs now sitting in the European Parliament were elected from parties identified as having used AI-generated or manipulated content during the campaign: 29 from Rassemblement National, eight from Lega and one from Reconquête.”
How Europe’s far right used unlabelled AI to win votes — and now writes the rules
How Europe’s far right used unlabelled AI to win votes — and now writes the rules
In the run-up to the 2024 European Parliament elections, several far-right political parties in France, Italy and Belgium used unlabelled generative AI content to influence voters — despite having pledged to respect ethical campaigning standards.
euobserver.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“Thirty-seven MEPs now sitting in the European Parliament were elected from parties identified as having used AI-generated or manipulated content during the campaign: 29 from Rassemblement National, eight from Lega and one from Reconquête.”
Canada: Land of Leaks.
Canadians have leaked 60 Minutes’ banned episode investigating Trump’s illegal actions in direct defiance of CBS censorship.
December 23, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Canada: Land of Leaks.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The thing that is specifically resonant about the 60 MINUTES incident is how many online versions of the report were recorded on cell phones etc, similar to how Soviet samizdat were often printed on illicit homemade or obsolete presses, lending them a characteristic janky print quality.
I kept seeing people use the word samizdat to refer to the Canadian sourcing of the 60 Minutes report on CECOT pulled by Bari Weiss. Here's the definition from Merriam-Webster:
December 23, 2025 at 2:49 AM
The thing that is specifically resonant about the 60 MINUTES incident is how many online versions of the report were recorded on cell phones etc, similar to how Soviet samizdat were often printed on illicit homemade or obsolete presses, lending them a characteristic janky print quality.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Global TV (in Canada) had last night's original 60 Minutes episode including the pulled segment on CECOT on its app and website today until about 5:45pm ET.
I was watching it when it got yanked - but bootlegs abound. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
I was watching it when it got yanked - but bootlegs abound. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
60 Minutes segment cancelled by CBS was available on Global TV website
Episode highlights accounts of alleged torture of men sent by U.S. to El Salvador prisons
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Global TV (in Canada) had last night's original 60 Minutes episode including the pulled segment on CECOT on its app and website today until about 5:45pm ET.
I was watching it when it got yanked - but bootlegs abound. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
I was watching it when it got yanked - but bootlegs abound. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
bari weiss saw this and decided that she had to hide it from the american public
Guards began beating him. Beat him until he bled. Knocked his face into the wall, broke all his teeth. No access to outdoors, no contact with relatives.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
Now describing US knowledge of CECOT's torture practices, followed by footage of Trump praising those practices.
December 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
bari weiss saw this and decided that she had to hide it from the american public
Reposted by Stewart Prest
EXCLUSIVE: I received a copy of the letter sent to developers today halting construction on all 5 offshore wind farms being built in America.
What’s new here is the close “coordination” with the “Department of War” in determining the “risk” poised by these wind farms. And the threat to “cancel.”
What’s new here is the close “coordination” with the “Department of War” in determining the “risk” poised by these wind farms. And the threat to “cancel.”
‘Bonkers': DOI letter halts all five in-progress offshore wind farms
Construction will be paused for 90 days as Trump's Department of War and Interior Department coordinate to evaluate supposed "national security" risks.
www.canarymedia.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:31 AM
EXCLUSIVE: I received a copy of the letter sent to developers today halting construction on all 5 offshore wind farms being built in America.
What’s new here is the close “coordination” with the “Department of War” in determining the “risk” poised by these wind farms. And the threat to “cancel.”
What’s new here is the close “coordination” with the “Department of War” in determining the “risk” poised by these wind farms. And the threat to “cancel.”
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The mayor of Langley township made a highly publicized promise to use profits from his multi-million-dollar B.C. real estate holdings to support charity. Turns out over 5 years, Eric Woodward’s non-profit donated just over $8,000. Bethany Lindsay has the details.
zurl.co/sqJzt
zurl.co/sqJzt
December 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The mayor of Langley township made a highly publicized promise to use profits from his multi-million-dollar B.C. real estate holdings to support charity. Turns out over 5 years, Eric Woodward’s non-profit donated just over $8,000. Bethany Lindsay has the details.
zurl.co/sqJzt
zurl.co/sqJzt
Reposted by Stewart Prest
If you VPN into Canada you can watch the 60 Minutes CECOT story here (for now). Global TV appears to have posted the original tape by accident watch.globaltv.com/series/2893d...
Home | Global TV App | Watch Shows, Movies and Live TV
The Global TV App is home to some of the most watched Canadian channels. Watch full episodes, Live TV and Global News.
watch.globaltv.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
If you VPN into Canada you can watch the 60 Minutes CECOT story here (for now). Global TV appears to have posted the original tape by accident watch.globaltv.com/series/2893d...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The problem is that you don't get more coherent, long-term policy outcomes by replacing the old approach with the politics of deal-making.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
December 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The problem is that you don't get more coherent, long-term policy outcomes by replacing the old approach with the politics of deal-making.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Doing all kinds of things, calling them nation-building, cooperative federalism or a new industrial strategy without explaining what they mean isn't any better.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Do people realize that this is also happening with case law?
Like Do You Understand What That Fucking Means???
Like Do You Understand What That Fucking Means???
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Do people realize that this is also happening with case law?
Like Do You Understand What That Fucking Means???
Like Do You Understand What That Fucking Means???
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Just in time for Christmas, the chapter I wrote with @stewartprest.ca on Vancouver's modern political history is out in the new City Politics in Canada. Pre-order from UofT Press.
December 20, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Just in time for Christmas, the chapter I wrote with @stewartprest.ca on Vancouver's modern political history is out in the new City Politics in Canada. Pre-order from UofT Press.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Reposted by Stewart Prest
There seems to be a little panic about what's genAI and what isn't. But macro compilers like PerfectIt and Word spell check are not. If you've been using Grammarly, now's a great time to stop.
December 20, 2025 at 6:41 AM
There seems to be a little panic about what's genAI and what isn't. But macro compilers like PerfectIt and Word spell check are not. If you've been using Grammarly, now's a great time to stop.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Spell check existed long before genAI and in its most basic function is not genAI. Spell check is code. It's a function. It checks against a database of available words. Spell check in certain programs, however, may have been made worse by running it through genAI.
December 20, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Spell check existed long before genAI and in its most basic function is not genAI. Spell check is code. It's a function. It checks against a database of available words. Spell check in certain programs, however, may have been made worse by running it through genAI.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The province receives recommendations from panels all the time, and premier & gov't take or leave ideas as they please.
But this is different.
This panel was *chaired* by Premier Danielle Smith.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
But this is different.
This panel was *chaired* by Premier Danielle Smith.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta Next panel recommends referendums on immigration, leaving Canada Pension Plan | CBC News
An Alberta panel aimed at finding ways the province can strengthen its autonomy has offered up seven recommendations, including options for referendum topics.
www.cbc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The province receives recommendations from panels all the time, and premier & gov't take or leave ideas as they please.
But this is different.
This panel was *chaired* by Premier Danielle Smith.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
But this is different.
This panel was *chaired* by Premier Danielle Smith.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
A non-existent paper attributed to Ben Williamson has already been cited 42 times.
It's like Scholarly Communication has been injected with misinformation bombs. Events are totally out of control. No one has a handle on its extent. And, there's no plan to stop it.
@benpatrickwill.bsky.social
It's like Scholarly Communication has been injected with misinformation bombs. Events are totally out of control. No one has a handle on its extent. And, there's no plan to stop it.
@benpatrickwill.bsky.social
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A non-existent paper attributed to Ben Williamson has already been cited 42 times.
It's like Scholarly Communication has been injected with misinformation bombs. Events are totally out of control. No one has a handle on its extent. And, there's no plan to stop it.
@benpatrickwill.bsky.social
It's like Scholarly Communication has been injected with misinformation bombs. Events are totally out of control. No one has a handle on its extent. And, there's no plan to stop it.
@benpatrickwill.bsky.social
Looking forward to my copy arriving! Wrote the chapter on Vancouver with @bushfield.ca.
Santa came early this year and I just received my copy of City Politics in Canada, edited by Martin Horak, @jacklucas.bsky.social and @bigcitypolitics.bsky.social. I wrote the chapter on Ottawa (dedicated to the late Caroline Andrew).
December 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Looking forward to my copy arriving! Wrote the chapter on Vancouver with @bushfield.ca.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Musqueam 'not coming for anyone's private property' in appealing Cowichan decision
Musqueam 'not coming for anyone's private property' in appealing Cowichan decision
The nation would rather negotiate "settlement and relationship agreements that benefit all parties."
dlvr.it
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Musqueam 'not coming for anyone's private property' in appealing Cowichan decision
Over here trying to figure out who gave so many assignments in my classes.
December 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Over here trying to figure out who gave so many assignments in my classes.
Bluntly stated, the delegitimization of opponents is corrosive to democracy. Continually framing your opponents not just as wrong, but illegitimate, encourages an "us-them" approach to politics in which victory of one's team is more important than respecting the rules of the game.
Securing a majority via floor crossing?
Carney focuses on the constitutional questions: the confidence of the Commons.
Poilievre focuses on a normative question: legitimacy and fair play.
A good example of why we shouldn't treat constitutional conventions as moral rules.
Carney focuses on the constitutional questions: the confidence of the Commons.
Poilievre focuses on a normative question: legitimacy and fair play.
A good example of why we shouldn't treat constitutional conventions as moral rules.
December 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Bluntly stated, the delegitimization of opponents is corrosive to democracy. Continually framing your opponents not just as wrong, but illegitimate, encourages an "us-them" approach to politics in which victory of one's team is more important than respecting the rules of the game.
Helps that driving an EV is a much nicer experience on many levels, including actual driving performance.
NEW ANALYSIS: Electric vehicles are entering the mid-transition space starting to replace ICE vehicles.
History shows that shifts like this can happen faster than expected: in the early 20th-century US, horses and mules virtually vanished from roads in under 30 years.
cdn.sanity.io/files/lrxd4j...
History shows that shifts like this can happen faster than expected: in the early 20th-century US, horses and mules virtually vanished from roads in under 30 years.
cdn.sanity.io/files/lrxd4j...
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Helps that driving an EV is a much nicer experience on many levels, including actual driving performance.
I expect the Conservative leader would say something different if the crossings were headed in the opposite direction. Also does nothing to address why they're happening. Not a good look for a party that emphasizes taking responsibility for one's own failings.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
A majority government built with floor-crossers is not legitimate, Poilievre says
Carney one seat away from a majority after MP Michael Ma left the Conservatives for the Liberals
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I expect the Conservative leader would say something different if the crossings were headed in the opposite direction. Also does nothing to address why they're happening. Not a good look for a party that emphasizes taking responsibility for one's own failings.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Notice that the parts of Trump's economic program that help working and middle class Americans — DOGE checks, tariff rebates, and warrior dividends — are popular, progressive, and non-existent. Tax cuts for the rich are unpopular, regressive and very very real.
December 18, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Notice that the parts of Trump's economic program that help working and middle class Americans — DOGE checks, tariff rebates, and warrior dividends — are popular, progressive, and non-existent. Tax cuts for the rich are unpopular, regressive and very very real.