‘Connecticut lawmakers pass measure to give electoral votes to presidential candidate who wins popular vote‘-The Hill Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
This is great for talking about impeachment and/or changes in the modern news media. ‘The big problem with comparing Nixon to Trump‘- Vox News Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
Might make for fruitful class discussion when covering political parties. ‘America’s Six Political Parties‘ Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
I could see using the findings reported in this article to frame a discussion about what drives division within American politics. In Ch. 3 of my textbook, I give a modified Madisonian account, arguing that two perennial drivers of division / conflict are ideology and interests. As I’ve told many Read more…
There’s a lot in here to draw from for American Gov classes. Here are just two. (1) The accurate description of political parties as non-homogeneous coalitions of conflicting interests and ideologies. And (2) his reflections on the motives that drove him into politics, and how they have changed over time. Read more…
Great for talking about media ownership, freedom of the press, and democracy. And don’t forget this one either …. ‘Sinclair “must-run” segment on family separation policy and child detention attacks the media‘-Media Matters Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
This would run the risk of appearing partisan, but I think there’s a lot in this video to facilitate class discussion. I’d probably use it during a unit on public opinion and media, with an emphasis on how (and why) would-be authoritarian rulers seek to discredit the media, and also Read more…
Maybe it’s not quite as bad as some previous studies suggested. ‘New study finds increase in support for democracy — but weaker support among politically disengaged and conservatives‘-Washington Post Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
This post by William Galston provides a nice summary of Chevron deference — which is the legal basis for much federal agency rule-making discretion — and a preview of an important (even if not publicly salient) impact on federal government lawmaking and policy making Kavanaugh could have as SCOTUS justice. Read more…
This would be useful for discussing issues of representation in the Senate, Electoral College, etc. ‘In about 20 years, half the population will live in eight states‘-Washington Post Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
Shouldn’t there be bipartisan support for this? ‘States slow to prepare for hacking threats‘-Politico Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
This might be kind of fun for discussing basic concepts about laws, the legislative process, and judicial review. I’d consider doing it early in the semester as an overview of basics of government or perhaps specifically when discussing judicial branch. The fact that it’s focused on Georgia and features an Read more…