Humanities & Society

During his four years in office, Joe Biden was hailed as the most pro-union president in recent history. But whether his record translates into votes for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris remains to be seen. Sociologist Jake Rosenfeld, in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, explains why Democrats have lost some union votes and how the parties are responding.

EmpowHer, a program designed to equip women with the knowledge, resources and support system to run a successful campaign and represent their constituents effectively, is being offered Aug. 23-24 at Washington University in St. Louis.

“Envy of the world” or a disgrace? Olin Business School’s John Horn discusses the state of the U.S. economy, President Joe Biden’s economic legacy and what to expect from a future Harris or Trump presidency.

Diana Z. O’Brien, the Bela Kornitzer Distinguished Professor of Political Science in Arts & Sciences, discusses the unique challenges facing female politicians, the importance of representation and more.  

Clarissa Rile Hayward, a professor of political science in Arts & Sciences and an expert on social movements, said that Michael Brown’s death forced law enforcement agencies around the country to grapple with the racism within their departments and led to an uptick in activism and political engagement.

Known as a “gamble for resurrection,” leaders in crisis have long pursued risky actions in a final attempt to resurrect their careers. Dan Butler, professor of political science in Arts & Sciences, says the Democratic party is currently weighing its own gamble following Biden’s disappointing first debate.

New research by Hannah Birnbaum, assistant professor of organizational behavior at Olin Business School, suggests that when people view voting as a duty to others — rather than to themselves — they’re more likely to feel an obligation to vote.

Louisiana’s recent legislation requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom is likely unconstitutional under the current framework of the Establishment Clause, said an expert on law and religion at Washington University in St. Louis.

In her new book, political scientist Taylor Carlson, in Arts & Sciences, explores how political information changes as it flows from the news media to person to person. Her research shows that socially transmitted information becomes sparse, biased, less accurate and mobilizing — fueling a “distorted democracy.”