Prithviraj Datta
@prithvirajdatta.bsky.social
Political theorist, Franklin & Marshall College. Work on campaign finance, political inequality, and freedom of speech. Reposts go on the reading list
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
NYT pushed its “Dems must go moderate” take again yesterday. In a new piece out today, @adambonica.bsky.social shows even more clearly why the data don’t support it. It also shows what a skilled empiricist and teacher Adam is.
Very proud of my pal’s public work.
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Very proud of my pal’s public work.
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
The New York Times’ “Moderation Advantage” Is a Statistical Illusion
After accounting for money and incumbency the supposed electoral bonus for moderate candidates vanishes entirely.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NYT pushed its “Dems must go moderate” take again yesterday. In a new piece out today, @adambonica.bsky.social shows even more clearly why the data don’t support it. It also shows what a skilled empiricist and teacher Adam is.
Very proud of my pal’s public work.
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Very proud of my pal’s public work.
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Great paper that captures the main effect of US constitutional institutions: minority veto power.
"Most representational failures occur because Congress failed to pass a popular bill, rather than because it passed a bill that the public did not want."
"Most representational failures occur because Congress failed to pass a popular bill, rather than because it passed a bill that the public did not want."
August 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Great paper that captures the main effect of US constitutional institutions: minority veto power.
"Most representational failures occur because Congress failed to pass a popular bill, rather than because it passed a bill that the public did not want."
"Most representational failures occur because Congress failed to pass a popular bill, rather than because it passed a bill that the public did not want."
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Just published in @jpube.bsky.social:
"Old money: Campaign finance and gerontocracy in the United States"
By @adambonica.bsky.social & @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#econsky #publiceconomics
"Old money: Campaign finance and gerontocracy in the United States"
By @adambonica.bsky.social & @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#econsky #publiceconomics
August 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Just published in @jpube.bsky.social:
"Old money: Campaign finance and gerontocracy in the United States"
By @adambonica.bsky.social & @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#econsky #publiceconomics
"Old money: Campaign finance and gerontocracy in the United States"
By @adambonica.bsky.social & @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#econsky #publiceconomics
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Excellent piece from @gelliottmorris.com explaining why Matt Yglesias' insistence on the importance of political moderation by Democratic candidates is so off-base.
The bottom line: The effect is small and uncertain, and it's *far* outweighed by other factors, like just being a good fundraiser!
The bottom line: The effect is small and uncertain, and it's *far* outweighed by other factors, like just being a good fundraiser!
Data over dogma: A reply to Matt Yglesias
Further thoughts and data on the declining electoral benefit to ideological moderation.
www.gelliottmorris.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Excellent piece from @gelliottmorris.com explaining why Matt Yglesias' insistence on the importance of political moderation by Democratic candidates is so off-base.
The bottom line: The effect is small and uncertain, and it's *far* outweighed by other factors, like just being a good fundraiser!
The bottom line: The effect is small and uncertain, and it's *far* outweighed by other factors, like just being a good fundraiser!
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
@adambonica.bsky.social and I are economists now (economist salary coming soon, I imagine)
Ungated until the end of September: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ungated until the end of September: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Old money: Campaign finance and gerontocracy in the United States
Politicians in the United States rank among the oldest globally. This study examines how money in politics contributes to age inequality in political …
www.sciencedirect.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:20 PM
@adambonica.bsky.social and I are economists now (economist salary coming soon, I imagine)
Ungated until the end of September: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ungated until the end of September: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Even as small donors flooded in, campaign finance inequality hit record highs in 2024. For the first time, the top 0.01% (1 in 10K voters) share exceeds 50% of $s. The top 400 donors now exceed 25%.
Citizens United opened the door, but soaring wealth inequality is what's driving these extremes.
Citizens United opened the door, but soaring wealth inequality is what's driving these extremes.
November 14, 2024 at 10:55 PM
Even as small donors flooded in, campaign finance inequality hit record highs in 2024. For the first time, the top 0.01% (1 in 10K voters) share exceeds 50% of $s. The top 400 donors now exceed 25%.
Citizens United opened the door, but soaring wealth inequality is what's driving these extremes.
Citizens United opened the door, but soaring wealth inequality is what's driving these extremes.
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Glad to share a symposium on my book "How the Radical Right Has Changed Capitalism and Welfare" with SER: academic.oup.com/ser/advance-....
Featuring @alexandreafonso.bsky.social, @vapunkt.bsky.social, @ankehassel.bsky.social, @danielk24.bsky.social, @gscheiring.bsky.social, & rejoinder by myself 👇
Featuring @alexandreafonso.bsky.social, @vapunkt.bsky.social, @ankehassel.bsky.social, @danielk24.bsky.social, @gscheiring.bsky.social, & rejoinder by myself 👇
July 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Glad to share a symposium on my book "How the Radical Right Has Changed Capitalism and Welfare" with SER: academic.oup.com/ser/advance-....
Featuring @alexandreafonso.bsky.social, @vapunkt.bsky.social, @ankehassel.bsky.social, @danielk24.bsky.social, @gscheiring.bsky.social, & rejoinder by myself 👇
Featuring @alexandreafonso.bsky.social, @vapunkt.bsky.social, @ankehassel.bsky.social, @danielk24.bsky.social, @gscheiring.bsky.social, & rejoinder by myself 👇
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
1/2 Out now! "Independence, Globality, and the Battle of Ideas: A Dialogue on Liberty" by Quentin Skinner (@qmul.bsky.social) & @tomaashby.bsky.social (@utokyoofficial.bsky.social), a wide-ranging, scholarly, & full-length discussion article - the first at GIH! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
July 8, 2025 at 6:46 PM
1/2 Out now! "Independence, Globality, and the Battle of Ideas: A Dialogue on Liberty" by Quentin Skinner (@qmul.bsky.social) & @tomaashby.bsky.social (@utokyoofficial.bsky.social), a wide-ranging, scholarly, & full-length discussion article - the first at GIH! www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
New blog post about Lords reform. How ideas about semi parliamentary systems can give a clear purpose to change alexparsons.co.uk/blog/posts/s...
Don't replace the Lords - split the Commons
What an elected second chamber is for.
alexparsons.co.uk
June 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
New blog post about Lords reform. How ideas about semi parliamentary systems can give a clear purpose to change alexparsons.co.uk/blog/posts/s...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
In 2013, I argued that social democracy must be reinvented outside of the current “social democratic” parties and the past decade has only strengthened my beliefs.
We need a Gramscian approach, which is neither opposed nor subservient to party politics!
We need a Gramscian approach, which is neither opposed nor subservient to party politics!
Nothing left? In search of (a new) social democracy
(Real) social democracy is not just unknown to several generations of voters, but it is contradictory to their individualist or ethnicized worldview. So far the analyses and prospects do not look prom...
www.opendemocracy.net
May 13, 2025 at 8:50 PM
In 2013, I argued that social democracy must be reinvented outside of the current “social democratic” parties and the past decade has only strengthened my beliefs.
We need a Gramscian approach, which is neither opposed nor subservient to party politics!
We need a Gramscian approach, which is neither opposed nor subservient to party politics!
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Really excited about this online convening May 19-20 to better understand the contemporary challenges and opportunities of Democratic governance in blue trifectas. Important for housing, climate, inflation, and so much more -- especially today! Register: t.co/Pm4bIJHn1O
May 8, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Really excited about this online convening May 19-20 to better understand the contemporary challenges and opportunities of Democratic governance in blue trifectas. Important for housing, climate, inflation, and so much more -- especially today! Register: t.co/Pm4bIJHn1O
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Is America an oligarchy?
Bernie and AOC say yes, touring the country to “Fight Oligarchy.” Other Democratic leaders aren’t so sure.
With the debate heating up, I wanted to share a few insights from our recent paper on who’s funding American politics. 🧵 cup.org/4cfm0Az
Bernie and AOC say yes, touring the country to “Fight Oligarchy.” Other Democratic leaders aren’t so sure.
With the debate heating up, I wanted to share a few insights from our recent paper on who’s funding American politics. 🧵 cup.org/4cfm0Az
May 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Is America an oligarchy?
Bernie and AOC say yes, touring the country to “Fight Oligarchy.” Other Democratic leaders aren’t so sure.
With the debate heating up, I wanted to share a few insights from our recent paper on who’s funding American politics. 🧵 cup.org/4cfm0Az
Bernie and AOC say yes, touring the country to “Fight Oligarchy.” Other Democratic leaders aren’t so sure.
With the debate heating up, I wanted to share a few insights from our recent paper on who’s funding American politics. 🧵 cup.org/4cfm0Az
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
🗳️ Populism is a warning sign.
English local elections show it again: People feel abandoned & look scapegoats.
Drawing on own research & others, I argue 👇🏽
💡 To counter populism: We need to reinvest in citizens, e.g. housing, health & dignity.
Short 🧵
📖 www.socialeurope.eu/to-counter-p...
English local elections show it again: People feel abandoned & look scapegoats.
Drawing on own research & others, I argue 👇🏽
💡 To counter populism: We need to reinvest in citizens, e.g. housing, health & dignity.
Short 🧵
📖 www.socialeurope.eu/to-counter-p...
To Counter Populism and Bolster Security, Europe Must Reinvest In Its Citizens
Facing security threats and rising populism, Europe needs state investment in citizens, not austerity that fuelled discontent.
www.socialeurope.eu
May 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
🗳️ Populism is a warning sign.
English local elections show it again: People feel abandoned & look scapegoats.
Drawing on own research & others, I argue 👇🏽
💡 To counter populism: We need to reinvest in citizens, e.g. housing, health & dignity.
Short 🧵
📖 www.socialeurope.eu/to-counter-p...
English local elections show it again: People feel abandoned & look scapegoats.
Drawing on own research & others, I argue 👇🏽
💡 To counter populism: We need to reinvest in citizens, e.g. housing, health & dignity.
Short 🧵
📖 www.socialeurope.eu/to-counter-p...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
We're in an age of surging right-wing populism here in the US and around the globe, threatening democracy and growth. Should policymakers care? And how should they respond? In an essay for @equitablegrowth.bsky.social, Shayna Strom and I answer these questions: equitablegrowth.org/designing-ec... 1/
Designing economic policy that strengthens U.S. democracy and incorporates people’s lived experiences
Why U.S. policymakers should approach economic policy with an eye to its downstream political effects on democracy and policy approaches.
equitablegrowth.org
May 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
We're in an age of surging right-wing populism here in the US and around the globe, threatening democracy and growth. Should policymakers care? And how should they respond? In an essay for @equitablegrowth.bsky.social, Shayna Strom and I answer these questions: equitablegrowth.org/designing-ec... 1/
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
NEW: Americans need a government that delivers stability and security—not chaos.
Our new essay collection brings together great minds to imagine how democracy can better deliver the economy Americans need and want. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Our new essay collection brings together great minds to imagine how democracy can better deliver the economy Americans need and want. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
April 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
NEW: Americans need a government that delivers stability and security—not chaos.
Our new essay collection brings together great minds to imagine how democracy can better deliver the economy Americans need and want. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Our new essay collection brings together great minds to imagine how democracy can better deliver the economy Americans need and want. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
An entertaining (and broadly correct) piece on "equality vs equity" from Joe Heath.
I may use this as a short intro reading next time I teach "luck egalitarianism versus relational egalitarianism".
(I don't think he's fair to relational egalitarianism towards the end, but ... that's unsurprising.)
I may use this as a short intro reading next time I teach "luck egalitarianism versus relational egalitarianism".
(I don't think he's fair to relational egalitarianism towards the end, but ... that's unsurprising.)
Why philosophers hate that ‘equity’ meme
If you want to annoy your favorite philosopher, one of the best ways to do it these days is to mention the “kids standing on boxes equity meme.” To call it the bane of our existence would be something...
josephheath.substack.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:20 AM
An entertaining (and broadly correct) piece on "equality vs equity" from Joe Heath.
I may use this as a short intro reading next time I teach "luck egalitarianism versus relational egalitarianism".
(I don't think he's fair to relational egalitarianism towards the end, but ... that's unsurprising.)
I may use this as a short intro reading next time I teach "luck egalitarianism versus relational egalitarianism".
(I don't think he's fair to relational egalitarianism towards the end, but ... that's unsurprising.)
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Are lobbyists influential? The public sure thinks so, but applied political science since lobbying registration data emerged (late 90s) struggled to produce evidence that it does. In new review @wmjunk.bsky.social @heathbrown.bsky.social and I chart a wave of research showing that lobbying matters.
How Lobbying Matters | Annual Reviews
For decades, political scientists have struggled to provide empirical evidence that lobbying influences policymaking. A considerable gap arose between widespread public suspicions of lobbying and the ...
www.annualreviews.org
April 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Are lobbyists influential? The public sure thinks so, but applied political science since lobbying registration data emerged (late 90s) struggled to produce evidence that it does. In new review @wmjunk.bsky.social @heathbrown.bsky.social and I chart a wave of research showing that lobbying matters.
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
We use the newly released 2024 CES preliminary release data to show that non-voters are majority Democratic and majority for Harris.
3/n
3/n
April 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We use the newly released 2024 CES preliminary release data to show that non-voters are majority Democratic and majority for Harris.
3/n
3/n
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
"Trump underperformed among wealthy Republican donors while mobilizing new non-wealthy donors. Trump also diversified the donorate, especially by education. That is, Trump built an unusual coalition of wealthy and non-wealthy donors."
With correct link: Just published on APSR First View: "Plutopopulism: Wealth and Trump’s Financial Base" by Sean Kates, Eric Manning, Tali Mendelberg, and Omar Wasow. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
April 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
"Trump underperformed among wealthy Republican donors while mobilizing new non-wealthy donors. Trump also diversified the donorate, especially by education. That is, Trump built an unusual coalition of wealthy and non-wealthy donors."
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
1/🧵 "More voters help Republicans" is reshaping Dem strategy after 2024. We put this claim to the test with a deep dive into voter files and survey data. Results? Non-voters remain disproportionately Democratic while GOP simply turns out their base better.
Does Higher Turnout Now Help Republicans? A Data-Driven Analysis of Partisan Turnout Dynamics (Part 1)
Data analysis reveals Democrats' problem isn't high turnout—it's losing the mobilization battle
open.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:57 AM
1/🧵 "More voters help Republicans" is reshaping Dem strategy after 2024. We put this claim to the test with a deep dive into voter files and survey data. Results? Non-voters remain disproportionately Democratic while GOP simply turns out their base better.
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
www.cambridge.org/core/books/c...
The Cambridge Handbook of Constitutional Theory is now available electronically.
@rbellamy.bsky.social @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social @alixabeth.bsky.social inter alia
The Cambridge Handbook of Constitutional Theory is now available electronically.
@rbellamy.bsky.social @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social @alixabeth.bsky.social inter alia
March 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
www.cambridge.org/core/books/c...
The Cambridge Handbook of Constitutional Theory is now available electronically.
@rbellamy.bsky.social @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social @alixabeth.bsky.social inter alia
The Cambridge Handbook of Constitutional Theory is now available electronically.
@rbellamy.bsky.social @nomiclairelazar.bsky.social @alixabeth.bsky.social inter alia
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
My book is now officially out! How Politicians Polarize introduces and documents the concept of "negative representation" – when representatives focus on the other side rather than their own.
Some key findings: 🧵
www.amazon.com/How-Politici...
Some key findings: 🧵
www.amazon.com/How-Politici...
March 27, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My book is now officially out! How Politicians Polarize introduces and documents the concept of "negative representation" – when representatives focus on the other side rather than their own.
Some key findings: 🧵
www.amazon.com/How-Politici...
Some key findings: 🧵
www.amazon.com/How-Politici...
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
"Centre-left parties have to be resolutely focussed on the lives of ordinary working-class voters."
#BlogVersion of @claire-ainsley.bsky.social's article on the lessons drawn from the challenges that centre-left parties have faced around the world.
#BlogVersion of @claire-ainsley.bsky.social's article on the lessons drawn from the challenges that centre-left parties have faced around the world.
After Biden: Lessons for Labour and the Global Centre-Left from the United States
The failure of former President Biden's extensive economic programme to win support holds important lessons.
politicalquarterly.org.uk
March 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"Centre-left parties have to be resolutely focussed on the lives of ordinary working-class voters."
#BlogVersion of @claire-ainsley.bsky.social's article on the lessons drawn from the challenges that centre-left parties have faced around the world.
#BlogVersion of @claire-ainsley.bsky.social's article on the lessons drawn from the challenges that centre-left parties have faced around the world.
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
God knows we all need solidarity cocktails! Friends of Theory&Event, it's time for our Annual Cocktail Party at the @wpsa.bsky.social conference. Friday April 18 5:30-7:30, Art Marble 21 in Seattle.
March 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
God knows we all need solidarity cocktails! Friends of Theory&Event, it's time for our Annual Cocktail Party at the @wpsa.bsky.social conference. Friday April 18 5:30-7:30, Art Marble 21 in Seattle.
Reposted by Prithviraj Datta
Now out!!
The ethics of asylum with
@rebeccabuxton.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/asylum
The politics of immigration with
@robfordmancs.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukim
The ethics of asylum with
@rebeccabuxton.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/asylum
The politics of immigration with
@robfordmancs.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukim
Upcoming PolPhilPod double bill on imagration & asylum:
The ethics & political philosophy of assylum with @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social
The electoral politics of imagration with @robfordmancs.bsky.social
The ethics & political philosophy of assylum with @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social
The electoral politics of imagration with @robfordmancs.bsky.social
March 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Now out!!
The ethics of asylum with
@rebeccabuxton.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/asylum
The politics of immigration with
@robfordmancs.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukim
The ethics of asylum with
@rebeccabuxton.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/asylum
The politics of immigration with
@robfordmancs.bsky.social www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukim