John Sides
@johnsides.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University - https://johnsides.org/
Publisher of Good Authority - https://goodauthority.org/
Publisher of Good Authority - https://goodauthority.org/
Under Biden, there was no thermostatic shift in public opinion about the size of government. The public stayed relatively liberal. Take attitudes toward the government's role in health care:
October 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Under Biden, there was no thermostatic shift in public opinion about the size of government. The public stayed relatively liberal. Take attitudes toward the government's role in health care:
Imagine asking people two questions -- whether each of these is a good or bad way to run a govt:
1) having a democratic political system
2) having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections
What percent says *both* are good?
44%!
1) having a democratic political system
2) having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections
What percent says *both* are good?
44%!
September 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Imagine asking people two questions -- whether each of these is a good or bad way to run a govt:
1) having a democratic political system
2) having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections
What percent says *both* are good?
44%!
1) having a democratic political system
2) having a strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections
What percent says *both* are good?
44%!
Three new publications from Vanderbilt political science faculty! First up, Diana Lee and @yamilrvelez.bsky.social, "Measuring Descriptive Representation at Scale: Methods for Predicting the Race and Ethnicity of Public Officials."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
September 2, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Three new publications from Vanderbilt political science faculty! First up, Diana Lee and @yamilrvelez.bsky.social, "Measuring Descriptive Representation at Scale: Methods for Predicting the Race and Ethnicity of Public Officials."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by John Sides
thermostat go click-click-click
July 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
thermostat go click-click-click
Reposted by John Sides
Just like in his 1st term, Trump is going to hover around 40% approval. As @johnsides.bsky.social et al point out in their 2020 election book, Trump always sides with his base rather than choose policies with broader appeal. When you only aim to satisfy 40% of the population, you get 40% approval.
NEW Economist/YouGov Jul 25-28
% who approve | disapprove of Trump
U.S. adult citizens 40% | 55% (-15)
Last week 41% | 55%
Start of term 49% | 43%
Democrats 6% | 91%
Independents 29% | 62%
Republicans 86% | 12%
Men 44% | 51%
Women 37% | 59%
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
% who approve | disapprove of Trump
U.S. adult citizens 40% | 55% (-15)
Last week 41% | 55%
Start of term 49% | 43%
Democrats 6% | 91%
Independents 29% | 62%
Republicans 86% | 12%
Men 44% | 51%
Women 37% | 59%
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
July 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Just like in his 1st term, Trump is going to hover around 40% approval. As @johnsides.bsky.social et al point out in their 2020 election book, Trump always sides with his base rather than choose policies with broader appeal. When you only aim to satisfy 40% of the population, you get 40% approval.
Some more great new research from Vandy polisci faculty!
Peter Schram in International Organization, "Conflicts that Leave Something to Chance."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Peter Schram in International Organization, "Conflicts that Leave Something to Chance."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
July 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Some more great new research from Vandy polisci faculty!
Peter Schram in International Organization, "Conflicts that Leave Something to Chance."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Peter Schram in International Organization, "Conflicts that Leave Something to Chance."
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
I worked with E.J. for many years and highly recommend her for any academic looking to polish their writing and reach a larger audience!
Academics & researchers: Is this your summer for finishing your book or publishing that oped? Get in touch! I've got time opening up in my editorial coaching schedule. We will have fun AND will get that piece polished & published.
www.linkedin.com/in/ejgraff/
www.linkedin.com/in/ejgraff/
www.linkedin.com
July 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I worked with E.J. for many years and highly recommend her for any academic looking to polish their writing and reach a larger audience!
For @goodauth.bsky.social, I updated the affective polarization trend using the newly released 2024 ANES. Here's the graph.
A few important points...
A few important points...
July 1, 2025 at 2:28 PM
For @goodauth.bsky.social, I updated the affective polarization trend using the newly released 2024 ANES. Here's the graph.
A few important points...
A few important points...
And while I'm at it, a THIRD piece in the AJPS from Vanderbilt polisci faculty came out yesterday -- this one by my colleagues @BradSmithUNC and Peter Bils:
"The Logic of Secret Alliances"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"The Logic of Secret Alliances"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
June 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
And while I'm at it, a THIRD piece in the AJPS from Vanderbilt polisci faculty came out yesterday -- this one by my colleagues @BradSmithUNC and Peter Bils:
"The Logic of Secret Alliances"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"The Logic of Secret Alliances"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Somehow I neglected to mention a SIXTH APSR by Vanderbilt polisci faculty. This one, by Jorge Mangonnet et al., is now out and formally forthcoming in 2026!
"Family Ties, Social Control, and Authoritarian Distribution to Elites"
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
"Family Ties, Social Control, and Authoritarian Distribution to Elites"
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
June 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Somehow I neglected to mention a SIXTH APSR by Vanderbilt polisci faculty. This one, by Jorge Mangonnet et al., is now out and formally forthcoming in 2026!
"Family Ties, Social Control, and Authoritarian Distribution to Elites"
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
"Family Ties, Social Control, and Authoritarian Distribution to Elites"
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
There’s so much interesting research coming from Vanderbilt political science faculty. As dept chair, it is a pleasure to highlight a bunch of it.
First, up, @trounstine.bsky.social and Sarah Anzia in the @apsrjournal.bsky.social on civil service adoption:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
First, up, @trounstine.bsky.social and Sarah Anzia in the @apsrjournal.bsky.social on civil service adoption:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
June 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
There’s so much interesting research coming from Vanderbilt political science faculty. As dept chair, it is a pleasure to highlight a bunch of it.
First, up, @trounstine.bsky.social and Sarah Anzia in the @apsrjournal.bsky.social on civil service adoption:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
First, up, @trounstine.bsky.social and Sarah Anzia in the @apsrjournal.bsky.social on civil service adoption:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by John Sides
Congress was hiding in plain sight 🤓. Join me & @johnsides.bsky.social for Episode 2 of @goodauth.bsky.social's Where's Congress? We consider the big (yes), beautiful (eye of beholder) bill House GOP are trying to pass thru House --Senate GOP views be damned (for now)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
May 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Congress was hiding in plain sight 🤓. Join me & @johnsides.bsky.social for Episode 2 of @goodauth.bsky.social's Where's Congress? We consider the big (yes), beautiful (eye of beholder) bill House GOP are trying to pass thru House --Senate GOP views be damned (for now)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
In the latest episode of "Where's Congress?" for @goodauth.bsky.social, @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I discuss the Big Beautiful Bill (TM).
Learn what's different about this bill and the politics that are complicating is bigness and beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
Learn what's different about this bill and the politics that are complicating is bigness and beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
Good Authority Podcast | Where's Congress? Episode 2 | John Sides & Sarah Binder
YouTube video by Good Authority
www.youtube.com
May 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In the latest episode of "Where's Congress?" for @goodauth.bsky.social, @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I discuss the Big Beautiful Bill (TM).
Learn what's different about this bill and the politics that are complicating is bigness and beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
Learn what's different about this bill and the politics that are complicating is bigness and beauty.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvfR...
Americans are more pro-choice than people think.
Two studies show that both elected leaders and voters overestimate Americans' conservatism on abortion.
New from me @goodauth.bsky.social.
goodauthority.org/news/the-chr...
Two studies show that both elected leaders and voters overestimate Americans' conservatism on abortion.
New from me @goodauth.bsky.social.
goodauthority.org/news/the-chr...
The chronic misperception of Americans’ abortion attitudes.
Leaders and voters think Americans are more conservative than they are.
goodauthority.org
April 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Americans are more pro-choice than people think.
Two studies show that both elected leaders and voters overestimate Americans' conservatism on abortion.
New from me @goodauth.bsky.social.
goodauthority.org/news/the-chr...
Two studies show that both elected leaders and voters overestimate Americans' conservatism on abortion.
New from me @goodauth.bsky.social.
goodauthority.org/news/the-chr...
Shifts to Trump from 2020-24 are not just a story about the youngest voters or about the youngest men.
They are a story about shifts among *men and women* who are *under 40*.
1,000 takes on the youngest men. Virtually zero on everyone else.
They are a story about shifts among *men and women* who are *under 40*.
1,000 takes on the youngest men. Virtually zero on everyone else.
April 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Shifts to Trump from 2020-24 are not just a story about the youngest voters or about the youngest men.
They are a story about shifts among *men and women* who are *under 40*.
1,000 takes on the youngest men. Virtually zero on everyone else.
They are a story about shifts among *men and women* who are *under 40*.
1,000 takes on the youngest men. Virtually zero on everyone else.
Reposted by John Sides
What tools do Democrats have to do anything in Congress?
The full episode with @johnsides.bsky.social and @sarahbinder.bsky.social is out now on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/goodauth...
The full episode with @johnsides.bsky.social and @sarahbinder.bsky.social is out now on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/goodauth...
April 15, 2025 at 2:23 PM
What tools do Democrats have to do anything in Congress?
The full episode with @johnsides.bsky.social and @sarahbinder.bsky.social is out now on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/goodauth...
The full episode with @johnsides.bsky.social and @sarahbinder.bsky.social is out now on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/goodauth...
Reposted by John Sides
We're live with "Where's Congress?" 🤓🤓
Got topics or questions you'd like me and @johnsides.bsky.social to tackle in future @goodauth.bsky.social episodes? Send them along!
Got topics or questions you'd like me and @johnsides.bsky.social to tackle in future @goodauth.bsky.social episodes? Send them along!
So @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I inaugurated a new regular feature for @goodauth.bsky.social: "Where's Congress?"
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
Good Authority Podcast | Where's Congress? | John Sides & Sarah Binder
YouTube video by Good Authority
www.youtube.com
April 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
We're live with "Where's Congress?" 🤓🤓
Got topics or questions you'd like me and @johnsides.bsky.social to tackle in future @goodauth.bsky.social episodes? Send them along!
Got topics or questions you'd like me and @johnsides.bsky.social to tackle in future @goodauth.bsky.social episodes? Send them along!
So @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I inaugurated a new regular feature for @goodauth.bsky.social: "Where's Congress?"
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
Good Authority Podcast | Where's Congress? | John Sides & Sarah Binder
YouTube video by Good Authority
www.youtube.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
So @sarahbinder.bsky.social and I inaugurated a new regular feature for @goodauth.bsky.social: "Where's Congress?"
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
We talk about why a once-strong Congress became a flabby weak mess. The highlights of this week's episode are...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byct...
Trump is saying trade is bad, but increasingly Americans think trade is good. It happened in his first term. It's happening again. Meet your thermostatic public!
goodauthority.org/news/trade-p...
goodauthority.org/news/trade-p...
On trade, public opinion is already moving away from Trump.
Thermostatic politics rears its head once again.
goodauthority.org
April 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Trump is saying trade is bad, but increasingly Americans think trade is good. It happened in his first term. It's happening again. Meet your thermostatic public!
goodauthority.org/news/trade-p...
goodauthority.org/news/trade-p...
Did naturalized citizens support Trump in 2024? Two major surveys say that they did not.
AP Votecast: Harris 54% - Trump 43%
CES (released today): Harris 54% - Trump 43%
This is a hard group to survey and no estimate is canonical.
But these estimates deserve attention too.
AP Votecast: Harris 54% - Trump 43%
CES (released today): Harris 54% - Trump 43%
This is a hard group to survey and no estimate is canonical.
But these estimates deserve attention too.
April 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Did naturalized citizens support Trump in 2024? Two major surveys say that they did not.
AP Votecast: Harris 54% - Trump 43%
CES (released today): Harris 54% - Trump 43%
This is a hard group to survey and no estimate is canonical.
But these estimates deserve attention too.
AP Votecast: Harris 54% - Trump 43%
CES (released today): Harris 54% - Trump 43%
This is a hard group to survey and no estimate is canonical.
But these estimates deserve attention too.
A new report on legislative effectiveness by my colleague Alan Wiseman and Craig Volden confirms, once again, that Eleanor Holmes Norton is the GOAT.
Vandy story: news.vanderbilt.edu/2025/03/27/l...
Report: thelawmakers.org/wp-content/upl
Vandy story: news.vanderbilt.edu/2025/03/27/l...
Report: thelawmakers.org/wp-content/upl
March 31, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A new report on legislative effectiveness by my colleague Alan Wiseman and Craig Volden confirms, once again, that Eleanor Holmes Norton is the GOAT.
Vandy story: news.vanderbilt.edu/2025/03/27/l...
Report: thelawmakers.org/wp-content/upl
Vandy story: news.vanderbilt.edu/2025/03/27/l...
Report: thelawmakers.org/wp-content/upl
Reposted by John Sides
Big deal—after correcting, it turns out that moderate candidates do not perform better than extreme candidates in general elections.
Kudos to Andy, Dan, and Adam for updating a key question in political science
Kudos to Andy, Dan, and Adam for updating a key question in political science
March 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Big deal—after correcting, it turns out that moderate candidates do not perform better than extreme candidates in general elections.
Kudos to Andy, Dan, and Adam for updating a key question in political science
Kudos to Andy, Dan, and Adam for updating a key question in political science