Matthew Beckmann
@beckma2n.bsky.social
I never finished school.
"I have spoken with countless university presidents, directors and advisers; scholars and academics; and lawmakers, policy experts and activists. The one thing they all agree on..." Sure, buddy.
October 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"I have spoken with countless university presidents, directors and advisers; scholars and academics; and lawmakers, policy experts and activists. The one thing they all agree on..." Sure, buddy.
I got to know Greg during his Deanship at UC Irvine. He is a generous colleague, a principled leader, and just an all-around great guy. The strongest steel is forged by the fires of hell.
August 26, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I got to know Greg during his Deanship at UC Irvine. He is a generous colleague, a principled leader, and just an all-around great guy. The strongest steel is forged by the fires of hell.
For instance, if we replace Reagan with Trump in 81, what difference would it make? Moreover, how much of that delta is explained by the president vis-à-vis other actors' reactions?
August 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
For instance, if we replace Reagan with Trump in 81, what difference would it make? Moreover, how much of that delta is explained by the president vis-à-vis other actors' reactions?
Totally. I'd be especially intrigued to see someone map how other actors perceive their a) options b) incentives and c) time horizons today versus earlier eras.
August 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Totally. I'd be especially intrigued to see someone map how other actors perceive their a) options b) incentives and c) time horizons today versus earlier eras.
Imagine a two-by-two of effectiveness and persuasiveness. In the context of contemporary governing institutions, is it possible for presidential cases to end up in the effective but not persuasive box? I certainly think so, but I'd need to noodle more about how to validly trace the distinction.
August 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Imagine a two-by-two of effectiveness and persuasiveness. In the context of contemporary governing institutions, is it possible for presidential cases to end up in the effective but not persuasive box? I certainly think so, but I'd need to noodle more about how to validly trace the distinction.
Interesting. I'll need to think more seriously about it, but my hunch is that tactics like extortion fit "command" rather than "persuasion." So, for instance, it feels like what is happening with Harvard or UCLA isn't "persuasion" or "bargaining" in any meaningful sense.
August 13, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Interesting. I'll need to think more seriously about it, but my hunch is that tactics like extortion fit "command" rather than "persuasion." So, for instance, it feels like what is happening with Harvard or UCLA isn't "persuasion" or "bargaining" in any meaningful sense.
That's my hope too! And if I were betting, that's where I'd put my chips. But, woof, it's been a tough half-year for Madison and Neustadt.
August 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
That's my hope too! And if I were betting, that's where I'd put my chips. But, woof, it's been a tough half-year for Madison and Neustadt.
Madisonian forces may eventually nudge us back to the "regular" constitutional equilibrium, but the last 200 days do not suggest to me that is the trend.
August 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Madisonian forces may eventually nudge us back to the "regular" constitutional equilibrium, but the last 200 days do not suggest to me that is the trend.
I'll be honest. I see the Nuestadian model as more wrong than right for assessing the current moment. Trump is command-governing across multiple domains, and, to a striking degree, with real effect (e.g., foreign aid, education, immigration, justice, policing, diplomacy, energy, and beyond).
August 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I'll be honest. I see the Nuestadian model as more wrong than right for assessing the current moment. Trump is command-governing across multiple domains, and, to a striking degree, with real effect (e.g., foreign aid, education, immigration, justice, policing, diplomacy, energy, and beyond).
Graduate school is nothing if not a test of will and endurance. Happy to do my part! (But seriously, thank you.)
February 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Graduate school is nothing if not a test of will and endurance. Happy to do my part! (But seriously, thank you.)
This doesn't mean EOs are weak instruments; rather, it means bureaucrats interpret the signals they get - cheap talk versus the opening salvo of a determined president.
January 22, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This doesn't mean EOs are weak instruments; rather, it means bureaucrats interpret the signals they get - cheap talk versus the opening salvo of a determined president.
The thing that makes Trump a poor test case is that a lot of this appears to be bluster. If he treats EOs like tweets, then everyone else will too.
January 22, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The thing that makes Trump a poor test case is that a lot of this appears to be bluster. If he treats EOs like tweets, then everyone else will too.
Heck of a season. Congratulations.
January 21, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Heck of a season. Congratulations.
Tough ricochet, especially as the first half of "Billionaire schlock" missed me by a mile.
January 18, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Tough ricochet, especially as the first half of "Billionaire schlock" missed me by a mile.
There are "daily diaries" that document, minute-by-minute, presidential work since Kennedy (though my FOIA for Obama remains in the bureaucratic dark matter). www.archives.gov/presidential...
Presidential Daily Diaries
The present-day Presidential Daily Diary is the official record of the presidents’ travel, meetings, and telephone calls. The Presidential Daily Diaries include daily appointments calendars, lists of ...
www.archives.gov
January 14, 2025 at 6:13 AM
There are "daily diaries" that document, minute-by-minute, presidential work since Kennedy (though my FOIA for Obama remains in the bureaucratic dark matter). www.archives.gov/presidential...
I literally got it this week. If I can sneak away from this puppy (midlife crisis #1315), you'll be getting one shortly! It is a poor thank you gift, but the sentiment is as sincere as can be.
September 20, 2024 at 8:23 PM
I literally got it this week. If I can sneak away from this puppy (midlife crisis #1315), you'll be getting one shortly! It is a poor thank you gift, but the sentiment is as sincere as can be.
Thank you, David!
September 20, 2024 at 8:20 PM
Thank you, David!
Thank you, Jeff. If I can bang out three or four more this year, we'll be in the same ballpark.
September 20, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Thank you, Jeff. If I can bang out three or four more this year, we'll be in the same ballpark.
ChatGPT: summarize Professor Beckmann's lecture on presidents and the courts. :-)
April 25, 2024 at 9:08 PM
ChatGPT: summarize Professor Beckmann's lecture on presidents and the courts. :-)