Victor Shammas
@victorshammas.com
Oslo, Norway-based Associate Professor of Sociology—with a global perspective. Research: victorshammas.com. Newsletter on politics, culture, and social theory: theorybrief.com.
Voters across the board demand Trump “explain his decisions” with regard to possible military action—97% of Democrats and nearly two-thirds of Republicans:
November 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Voters across the board demand Trump “explain his decisions” with regard to possible military action—97% of Democrats and nearly two-thirds of Republicans:
70 percent of Americans polled by CBS/YouGov oppose U.S. taking military action in Venezuela.
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
70 percent of Americans polled by CBS/YouGov oppose U.S. taking military action in Venezuela.
Yes, I would never suggest they’re naive. And Mamdani handled himself well. But, Trump’s predictable playbook—act charming toward those you can’t defeat—carries real risks to politicians who have built a significant part of their momentum on opposition to Trumpism (in addition to affordability).
November 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Yes, I would never suggest they’re naive. And Mamdani handled himself well. But, Trump’s predictable playbook—act charming toward those you can’t defeat—carries real risks to politicians who have built a significant part of their momentum on opposition to Trumpism (in addition to affordability).
A French ICC judge placed under US sanctions for his work on the ongoing Gaza genocide case describes how sanctions have impacted his life: no Amazon, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard; severely restricted banking; hotel bookings canceled—"like being sent back to the 1990s." www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A French ICC judge placed under US sanctions for his work on the ongoing Gaza genocide case describes how sanctions have impacted his life: no Amazon, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard; severely restricted banking; hotel bookings canceled—"like being sent back to the 1990s." www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
As the UK Labour Party tacks rightward, is it any wonder that the Greens are rocketing ahead in the polls?
On migration, the difference between them is palpable: while Labour boasts of 50,000 “returns,” the Greens want to treat “all new migrants as potential citizens” who can “feel at home here.”
On migration, the difference between them is palpable: while Labour boasts of 50,000 “returns,” the Greens want to treat “all new migrants as potential citizens” who can “feel at home here.”
November 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
As the UK Labour Party tacks rightward, is it any wonder that the Greens are rocketing ahead in the polls?
On migration, the difference between them is palpable: while Labour boasts of 50,000 “returns,” the Greens want to treat “all new migrants as potential citizens” who can “feel at home here.”
On migration, the difference between them is palpable: while Labour boasts of 50,000 “returns,” the Greens want to treat “all new migrants as potential citizens” who can “feel at home here.”
Just finished reading this one, which I’ll write about on theorybrief.com. Abundance from the (center-)right.
November 2, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Just finished reading this one, which I’ll write about on theorybrief.com. Abundance from the (center-)right.
Growing Brexit regrets:
October 25, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Growing Brexit regrets:
Required vs. actual in-office attendance. Turns out it’s really hard to force employees to give up what amounts to a significant salary and time bonus (e.g., no commute). (www.wsj.com/lifestyle/wo...)
September 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Required vs. actual in-office attendance. Turns out it’s really hard to force employees to give up what amounts to a significant salary and time bonus (e.g., no commute). (www.wsj.com/lifestyle/wo...)
A majority believe Trump has "gone too far" with tariffs, the use of presidential power, and sending National Guard troops or federal law enforcement officers into U.S. cities. (Around one-third think Trump's actions have been "just about right.")
September 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A majority believe Trump has "gone too far" with tariffs, the use of presidential power, and sending National Guard troops or federal law enforcement officers into U.S. cities. (Around one-third think Trump's actions have been "just about right.")
Negative sentiment growing among U.S. Republicans and Independents. "Overall, 39% of adults approve of the way Trump is handing his job as president and 60% disapprove." (apnorc.org/projects/pes...)
September 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Negative sentiment growing among U.S. Republicans and Independents. "Overall, 39% of adults approve of the way Trump is handing his job as president and 60% disapprove." (apnorc.org/projects/pes...)
A majority of those polled believe Trump has "gone too far," with around one-third saying his actions have been "about right" (and a small core of voters saying Trump hasn't gone far enough), per AP-NORC.
September 19, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A majority of those polled believe Trump has "gone too far," with around one-third saying his actions have been "about right" (and a small core of voters saying Trump hasn't gone far enough), per AP-NORC.
The New Yorker's September 29 cover.
September 19, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The New Yorker's September 29 cover.
I think we are likely to see the direst effects under conditions of hegemonic power à la Trump 2.0, with multiple major economies coalescing around RPPs across the continent. But yes, there are RPPs in positions of authority today. Few would count UK and Germany, but certainly Meloni's Italy.
September 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I think we are likely to see the direst effects under conditions of hegemonic power à la Trump 2.0, with multiple major economies coalescing around RPPs across the continent. But yes, there are RPPs in positions of authority today. Few would count UK and Germany, but certainly Meloni's Italy.
Another case of extrajudicial killings in international waters by the Trump administration. So far, no public evidence that the victims were drug traffickers has been presented. And even if they were, murdering them clearly isn’t an acceptable state response.
More: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/15/p...
More: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/15/p...
September 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Another case of extrajudicial killings in international waters by the Trump administration. So far, no public evidence that the victims were drug traffickers has been presented. And even if they were, murdering them clearly isn’t an acceptable state response.
More: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/15/p...
More: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/15/p...
The gender gap remains striking: 40%. As in many other contexts, young men appear susceptible to far-right messaging—even though support among younger women is rising as well.
(Source: elpais.com/espana/2025-...)
(Source: elpais.com/espana/2025-...)
September 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The gender gap remains striking: 40%. As in many other contexts, young men appear susceptible to far-right messaging—even though support among younger women is rising as well.
(Source: elpais.com/espana/2025-...)
(Source: elpais.com/espana/2025-...)
Spain’s far-right Vox party is polling at around 17%, but its most significant voting intention gains are among young voters.
We need to study and scrutinize the digital ecosystems driving younger voters’ support for the far right across Europe.
We need to study and scrutinize the digital ecosystems driving younger voters’ support for the far right across Europe.
September 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Spain’s far-right Vox party is polling at around 17%, but its most significant voting intention gains are among young voters.
We need to study and scrutinize the digital ecosystems driving younger voters’ support for the far right across Europe.
We need to study and scrutinize the digital ecosystems driving younger voters’ support for the far right across Europe.
Until the left starts advocating clearly and forcefully for the many tangible benefits of immigration, the far right will keep advancing and may come to dominate European politics.
September 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Until the left starts advocating clearly and forcefully for the many tangible benefits of immigration, the far right will keep advancing and may come to dominate European politics.
Democrats’ perception of “big business” is tanking, per Gallup.
Fertile ground for Zohran Mamdani-style democratic socialism.
Fertile ground for Zohran Mamdani-style democratic socialism.
September 8, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Democrats’ perception of “big business” is tanking, per Gallup.
Fertile ground for Zohran Mamdani-style democratic socialism.
Fertile ground for Zohran Mamdani-style democratic socialism.
With three-quarters of the votes counted, Norway’s red-green bloc looks set to win, with Labour likely to remain in power, according to major media outlets.
Worryingly, the right-wing Progress Party has nearly doubled its support since 2021, though it will remain in opposition.
Worryingly, the right-wing Progress Party has nearly doubled its support since 2021, though it will remain in opposition.
September 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
With three-quarters of the votes counted, Norway’s red-green bloc looks set to win, with Labour likely to remain in power, according to major media outlets.
Worryingly, the right-wing Progress Party has nearly doubled its support since 2021, though it will remain in opposition.
Worryingly, the right-wing Progress Party has nearly doubled its support since 2021, though it will remain in opposition.
‘Nearly half of Democrats (49%) report that they are “furious” about the actions of the Trump administration.’ (NBC)
September 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
‘Nearly half of Democrats (49%) report that they are “furious” about the actions of the Trump administration.’ (NBC)
Two final pre-election day polls in Norway look promising for the red-green side—but this is still a close race, with multiple possible outcomes. (Sources: VG, TV2)
September 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Two final pre-election day polls in Norway look promising for the red-green side—but this is still a close race, with multiple possible outcomes. (Sources: VG, TV2)
Trump's fascism has never been more evident.
September 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Trump's fascism has never been more evident.
The Trumponomics-driven slowdown is real:
Under Biden, in June 2024, an additional 87,000 jobs were created; under Trump, in June this year, 13,000 jobs were lost.
U.S. jobs numbers are weak.
Under Biden, in June 2024, an additional 87,000 jobs were created; under Trump, in June this year, 13,000 jobs were lost.
U.S. jobs numbers are weak.
September 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The Trumponomics-driven slowdown is real:
Under Biden, in June 2024, an additional 87,000 jobs were created; under Trump, in June this year, 13,000 jobs were lost.
U.S. jobs numbers are weak.
Under Biden, in June 2024, an additional 87,000 jobs were created; under Trump, in June this year, 13,000 jobs were lost.
U.S. jobs numbers are weak.
Norway’s parliamentary elections are coming up on Monday. I encourage all my Norwegian friends and followers to vote for one of the four parties below in the red-green coalition—against the prospect of a right-wing government built on toxic xenophobia and aggressive neoliberalism.
September 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Norway’s parliamentary elections are coming up on Monday. I encourage all my Norwegian friends and followers to vote for one of the four parties below in the red-green coalition—against the prospect of a right-wing government built on toxic xenophobia and aggressive neoliberalism.