american politics dissertation topics

Research Topics & Ideas: Politics

100+ Politics-Related Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Political science research topics and ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation or thesis. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a politics-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of politically-related research ideas across a range of disciplines, including political theory and philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and policy.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also, be sure to sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Politics-Related Topics

  • Political theory and philosophy
  • Comparative politics
  • International relations
  • Public administration
  • Public policy
  • Examples of politics-related dissertations

Topics & Ideas: Political Theory

  • An analysis of the impact of feminism on political theory and the concept of citizenship in Saudi Arabia in the context of Vision 2030
  • A comparative study of the political philosophies of Marxism and liberalism and their influence on modern politics
  • An examination of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the relationship between individual freedom and collective responsibility in political philosophy
  • A study of the impact of race and ethnicity on French political philosophy and the concept of justice
  • An exploration of the role of religion in political theory and its impact on secular democracy in the Middle East
  • A Review of Social contract theory, comparative analysis of the political philosophies of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
  • A study of the concept of the common good in political philosophy and its relevance to the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe
  • An examination of the relationship between political power and the rule of law in developing African countries
  • A study of the impact of postmodernism on political theory and the concept of truth, a case study of the US
  • An exploration of the role of virtue in political philosophy and its impact on the assessment of moral character in political leaders

Research topic idea mega list

Topics & Ideas: Comparative Politics

  • A comparative study of different models of federalism and their impact on democratic governance: A case Study of South American federalist states
  • The impact of ethnic and religious diversity on political stability and democracy in developing countries, a review of literature from Africa
  • An analysis of the role of civil society in promoting democratic change in autocratic regimes: A case study in Sweden
  • A comparative examination of the impact of globalization on political institutions and processes in South America and Africa.
  • A study of the factors that contribute to successful democratization in authoritarian regimes, a review of the role of Elite-driven democratization
  • A comparison of the political and economic systems of China and India and their impact on social development
  • The impact of corruption on political institutions and democracy in South East Asia, a critical review
  • A comparative examination of the impact of majoritarian representation (winner-take-all) vs proportional representation on political representation and governance
  • An exploration of Multi-party systems in democratic countries and their impact on minority representation and policy-making.
  • A study of the factors that contribute to successful decentralization and regional autonomy, a case study of Spain

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Topics & Ideas: International Relations

  • A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of diplomacy and military force in resolving international conflicts in Central Africa.
  • The impact of globalization on the sovereignty of nation-states and the changing nature of international politics, a review of the role of Multinational Corporations
  • An examination of the role of international aid organizations in promoting peace, security, and development in the Middle East.
  • A study of the impact of economic interdependence on the likelihood of conflict in international relations: A critical review of weaponized interdependence
  • A comparative analysis of the foreign policies of the EU and the US and their impact on international stability in Africa
  • An exploration of the relationship between international human rights and national sovereignty during the Covid 19 pandemic
  • A study of the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO)s in international politics and their impact on state behaviour
  • A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of international regimes in addressing global challenges such as climate change, arms control, and terrorism in Brazil
  • An examination of the impact of the rise of BRICS on the international system and global governance
  • A study of the role of ideology in shaping the foreign policies of states and the dynamics of international relations in the US

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Tops & Ideas: Public Administration

  • An analysis of the impact of digital technology on public administration and the delivery of public services in Estonia
  • A review of models of public-private partnerships and their impact on the delivery of public services in Ghana
  • An examination of the role of civil society organizations in monitoring and accountability of public administration in Papua New Guinea
  • A study of the impact of environmentalism as a political ideology on public administration and policy implementation in Germany
  • An exploration of the relationship between public administration and citizen engagement in the policy-making process, an exploration of gender identity concerns in schools
  • A comparative analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, decentralisation and pay and employment reform in developing countries
  • A study of the role of collaborative leadership in public administration and its impact on organizational performance
  • A systematic review of the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion in police services
  • A study of the impact of corrupt public administration on economic development and regional growth in Eastern Europe
  • An exploration of the relationship between public administration and civil rights and liberties, including issues related to privacy and surveillance, a case study in South Korea

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Topics & Ideas: Public Policy

  • An analysis of the impacts of public policy on income inequality and poverty reduction in South Sudan
  • A comparative study of the effectiveness of legal and regulatory, economic and financial, and social and cultural instruments for addressing climate change in South Korea
  • An examination of the role of interest groups in shaping public policy and the policy-making process regarding land-use claims
  • A study of the impact of globalization on the development of public policies and programs for mitigating climate change in Singapore
  • An exploration of the relationship between public policy and social justice in tertiary education in the UAE
  • A comparative analysis of the impact of health policies for the management of diabetes on access to healthcare and health outcomes in developing countries
  • Exploring the role of evidence-based policymaking in the design and implementation of public policies for the management of invasive invertebrates in Australia
  • An examination of the challenges and opportunities of implementing educational dietary public policies in developing multicultural countries
  • A study of the impact of public policies on urbanization and urban development in rural Indonesia
  • An exploration of the role of media and public opinion in shaping public policy and the policy-making process in the transport industry of Malaysia

Examples: Politics Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a politics-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various politics-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • We, the Righteous Few: Immoral Actions of Fellow Partisans are Judged as Less Possible (Varnam, 2020)
  • Civilizing the State: Civil Society and the Politics of Primary Public Health Care Provision in Urban Brazil (Gibson, 2012)
  • Political regimes and minority language policies: evidence from Taiwan and southeast Asia (Wu, 2021)
  • The Feminist Third Wave: Social Reproduction, Feminism as Class Struggle, and Contemporary Women’s Movements (Angulo, 2019)
  • The Politics of Immigration under Authoritarianism (Joo, 2019)
  • The politics of digital platforms: Sour Dictionary, activist subjectivities, and contemporary cultures of resistance (Okten, 2019)
  • Vote choice and support for diverse candidates on the Boston City Council At-Large (Dolcimascolo, 2022)
  • The city agenda: local governance and national influence in the policy agenda, 1900-2020 (Shannon, 2022)
  • Turf wars: who supported measures to criminalize homelessness in Austin, Texas? (Bompiedi, 2021)
  • Do BITs Cause Opposition Between Investor Rights and Environmental Protection? (Xiong, 2022)
  • Revealed corruption and electoral accountability in Brazil: How politicians anticipate voting behavior (Diaz, 2021)
  • Intersectional Solidarity: The Political Consequences of a Consciousness of Race, Gender and Sexuality (Crowder, 2020)
  • The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Coalitional Representation of Latinxs in the U.S. House of Representatives (Munoz, 2019)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. In other words, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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Politics Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Introduction

Politics is such a vast phenomenon that several dissertation topics can be selected from political issues. However, that selection must have some strong basis and importance in the practical field. Another fact to be kept in mind when choosing a dissertation topic is that some political issues are highly controversial, and they may not be of much value in terms of research and writing.

It should be noted that it is important that the researcher thoroughly enjoys the dissertation topic they are working on.  A boring and dry topic can later trouble them, and they might feel like regretting their selection. The following description enlists some of the dissertation topics that the researcher can select as their politics dissertation topic.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research questions , aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertations  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

View our free dissertation topics database.

2022 Politics Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: politics in a digital age- assessing the impact of social media on public participation and political campaigns..

Research Aim: This study aims to find how the public has utilised social media during elections or political campaigns. This study will also focus on the impact of social networking sites on popular participation in the electoral vote and political debate. This research study will also investigate the effects of new technologies and the digital era on media and political party campaigns and media activities during elections.

Topic 2: Investigating the reasons for the Central African Republic's Rebellion.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the reasons for the central African republic conflicts and different historical factors involved in this conflict. Furthermore, it will also focus on the dynamics of the conflict and how it has resulted in violent clashes between different religious parties. This study will conduct an in-depth analysis of this conflict to give a better understanding.

Topic 3: Investigating the influence of politics on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Research Aim: This study will provide us with a detailed evaluation of the present state of gender equality and women empowerment in developing nations and the influence of politics. It will also provide an understanding of how men, women, politicians, and other powerful individuals view gender equality and women empowerment.

Topic 4: Investigating the Impact of Neo-Fascism on Twentieth-century Europe.

Research Aim: The present study will analyse the impact of neo-fascism on twentieth-century Europe. We will also focus on the history, crisis, various proposals, and methods. We will also analyse how it has helped reproduced their ideologies and formed different legislation in Europe.

Topic 5: Assessing the change in Americans Political perspectives from Trump to Biden Eras.

Research Aim: The election of Joe Biden as a president of the US has resulted in a drastic shift in US’s foreign image. This study aims to investigate the change in the political perspective of people from the Trump to Biden eras. This study will focus on many things, including social, political, and economic factors, to help understand the perspectives of people, and will also look into the country’s situations during these both eras.

Covid-19 Politics Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of covid-19 on global politics.

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of Coronavirus on international politics.

Topic 2: Politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on providing a deep insight into the political agendas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Topic 3: Indian religious politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse how the Indian media provoked a religious conflict amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the role of the government in overcoming it.

Topic 4: The role of the UK government or any country of your choice during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will identify the contributions of government across the world in combatting COVID-19.

Politics Research Topics 2021

Topic:1: evaluating outcomes of the 2007 procurement act transparency of officers in public service of state (abc).

Research Aim: This research will explore the connection between corporate governance and business efficiency. The dynamic collection of relationships between a business and its Board of Directors, managers, owners, employees, customers, creditors is analysed through analysis processes and how effective corporate management can benefit an organisation.

Topic 2: Management intergovernmental ties on local governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse corporate governance’s compatibility in the state’s local government tiers.

Topic 3: Financing problems and opportunities in the delta state (a case study of ABC local government areas)

Research Aim: this project aims to explore the challenges and opportunities in the funding of Delta State Local government accounts, cost management, and income problems of local governments.

Topic 4: The effect of corporate governance on the competitiveness of a business of corporate management

Research Aim: This study is intended to examine corporate governance compatibility at the state’s local government levels.

Topic 5: Analysis of youth service corps (NYSC) United States effective leadership and success organisational

Research Aim: The research will assess successful leadership’s influence on organizational success in Nigeria through the Kogi State Office of the National Youth Service Corps.

Topic 6: The introduction of e-governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to introduce E-governance in not only the pandemic conditions but also in the daily governance operation to ease the system of governance of Country ABC.

Dissertation Topics: Impacts of 9/11 on World Politics

The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are an unforgettable phenomenon in the history of politics. It contributed immensely to strengthening relationships between some countries and making bonds weaker between the others.

Dissertation topics can be based on the events related to these attacks because this discussion has always been influential and surely can provide a sound basis for your research. Some of the dissertation topics that can be extracted out of the 9/11 terrorism catastrophe are listed as follows:

  • Analysis and significance of the most catastrophic event – The terrorist attacks of 9/11
  • In what ways the international relations between the Middle East and the West were affected after 9/11. A critical analysis.
  • Lessons learnt on political grounds after the terrorist attacks of 9/11—a debate on the positive and negative impacts.
  • 9/11 and its linkages to the world of trade. Critically analyze.
  • The actual events that led to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Critical analysis.
  • Development of strategies and improvements in the political system after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Dissertation Topics: Problems Related to Africa

Contradictions in the policies and politics of Africa can be subjected to various dissertation topics. The researcher can find a focus point on which the dissertation can be based. Some dissertation topics related to the politics of Africa are listed below:

  • Reasons for Western contradictions with African policies and politics.
  • Traditional beliefs and old rituals of African nations cause their problems with other countries—analysis of the past and future trends.
  • Colonial rule and political issues in Africa. Critical Analysis.
  • Contributions from the rest of the world in resolving problems between African nations.
  • Future trends and projections regarding the relationship of Africa with the rest of the world.
  • Forces stopping the West to snatch African weapons. Critical analysis.

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Find 100s of dissertation topics for other research areas. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

China Politics Dissertation Topics

It is a known fact that China’s laws and policies are quite different from the rest of the world. Still, this fact twisted later in the 21st century when China started incorporating Western thoughts and views in technology and other areas related to economic development and increasing urbanization.

Some dissertation topics with regards to the incorporation of Western ideas into Chinese politics are listed as follows:

  • Incorporation of Western ideas into the Chinese political system. Critical analysis.
  • Reasons why China has opted to “open” its economy, which previously was closed in its own distinctive way. A debate on the major reasons.
  • Is China a threat to Western ethics? Critical analysis.
  • How is the West being affected by Chinese expeditious economic expansion? A detailed analysis.
  • The impact of Chinese political principles on Western Politics. A debate on the positive and negative outcomes.
  • Human rights and the complexity in the Chinese and the Western political system.

Also Read: Project Management Dissertation Topics

Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis: Dissertation Topics

The Arabs and the Israelis have such complexity and problems in their relationship, primarily focused upon the Palestinian state. Their journey over the last sixty years also paved difficulties in relationships with other countries.

So, in this context, a researcher can find various issues to investigate in detail as a research topic. Following is the list of some of the suggestions for dissertation topics regarding this phenomenon of politics.

  • Reasons behind making the recognition of the Palestinian state so complex. Discuss
  • Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis in accordance with Western politics.
  • Long term rivalry between the Arabs and the Israelis. Discuss the reasons.
  • Role of the West in resolving the Arab-Israeli issues. Critical analysis.
  • Strategies to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Critical analysis.
  • Considering the events of the past how the UN can be utilized to resolve the Arab-Israeli dispute.

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“British Foreign Policy”: Dissertation Topics

The image of a country in different parts of the world is also dependent on its foreign policy and how efficiently it is maintained. There are many issues from British foreign policy that can make for an interesting topic for your politics dissertation.

  • What are the basics of Britain’s foreign policy and how can it be justified. Reasons and critical analysis.
  • Is Britain’s foreign policy successful? Reasons, cause and critical analysis.
  • In what way Britain’s foreign policy is in close affiliation with the US. Critically analyze.
  • Justifications showing the US strong impact on Britain’s foreign policy.
  • Britain’s foreign policy in relation to its impact on Europe. Critically analyze.
  • In what ways the creation of a “single European Entity” has influenced Britain’s foreign policy principles and goals.
  • Britain’s foreign policy goals and principles are usually stern and limited. Give reasons to justify and discuss.
  • Is Europe the reason behind Britain’s economic and social disputes? Discuss.

Relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Dissertation Topics

Pakistan and Afghanistan share so much in common based on their history, faith, and heritage. In the war against Soviet occupation, Pakistan supported 3.5 million Afghans because it shared certain interests with Afghanistan, but recently the settlement of Afghan refugees in various parts of Pakistan has been considered an undesirable phenomenon due to the increasing threat of terrorism and crime.

In Islamabad, actions are being taken to demolish the illegal Afghan settlements in response to the increasing threat of violence, crime, and terrorism. It is believed that the people involved in various illegal acts settle in these areas and carry out their violent acts from safe heavens. So, this phenomenon has a strong political basis, and certain dissertations can be based on it. Here’s a list of some of the dissertation topics in this regard:

  • Strategies are being adopted to demolish the illegal Afghan resettlements in Pakistan. Critical analysis.
  • Reasons for the development of hurdles between Pak-Afghan friendly relationships. Discuss.
  • To what extent violence and terrorism can be linked to Afghanistan. Discuss and analyze.
  • Strategies to resolve Pak-Afghan disputes. Discuss.
  • Political history of Pak-Afghan relationships from 1947 till current scenario. Discuss major events and their flaws.
  • Demolishing the illegal slums of Islamabad occupied by Afghan refugees. Reasons and justifications.
  • “War of independence against Soviet occupation.” Discussion of the major events and the impacts.
  • 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Pak-Afghan relationships till then. Discuss
  • Pakhtoonistan issue and the challenges faced by Pakistan. Critical analysis.
  • Educational opportunities for the Afghan refugees. Discuss the positive and negative impacts.

Politics and Media Dissertation Topics

Modern media is a powerful weapon in communicating what is happening throughout the world to people around the globe. Media has a strong influence on people perceiving different scenarios, which might actually not even be true.

There are certain politics involved in what media has to show and deliver to the people behind the screens. Depending on various external factors, media can either positively or negatively portray different scenarios and facts. Below is the list of some of the suggested dissertation topics if you would like to base your dissertation on media and politics.

  • Can media be held responsible for the change in politics? Discuss.
  • Politics, media and the ways they affect public opinions and thoughts.Critical analysis.
  • The linkage between media and democracy. Discuss.
  • Can media be held responsible for the spread of terror among people regarding various threats and crimes? Critical analysis.
  • Long term politics is involved behind media impacting youth and children. Critically analyze based on justifications.
  • Competition between different news channels and political support behind them. Discuss and critically analyze.
  • The US politics behind various features of social media. Critical analysis.
  • Politics affecting media in Indonesia. Discuss.
  • TV commercials and politics. Critical analysis.
  • The role media plays during elections. Discuss.
  • Social media and its role in politics. Discuss
  • Political debates and social media. Discuss
  • Media as a carrier of perceptions. Critical analysis.
  • Fundraising by different political parties and support of media.
  • Politics and media as a source of exploitation of moral values. Critical analysis.
  • Limitations politics impose on media. Critical analysis

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Political Parties Dissertation Topics

Political parties have always been one of the major elements of the development of politics. Any comparison between two or more parties can be worked upon by the researcher, or any other issue in this regard can be studied. Political parties of any country can be selected, and a dissertation can be based on their differences and similarities.

For instance, the two famous political parties of the UK- the Labor Party and the Conservative Party can be compared or individually studied by the researcher. The following are some interesting dissertation topics from this area of politics.

  • Which party (Labour Party and the Conservative Party) is working dedicatedly? Critical analysis.
  • Reasons that favour the Conservative Party in terms of its dedication towards the betterment of the country. Discuss.
  • Which party is better in terms of public acceptance? Discuss
  • Role of media in supporting the Labour Party and the Conservative Party. Critical analysis.
  • In the future, which of the UK’s political parties will come into power, or which political parties will collapse? Discuss.

US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

The US is the most powerful country globally and has a considerable influence on the world’s politics. The following are some of the dissertation topics related to US foreign policy.

  • With other nations, are the principles and goals of the US foreign policy justified? Discuss.
  • China is developing at a rapid rate in terms of economic growth. Is there any threat to the US regarding Chinese economic development?
  • The biggest threat to US foreign policy. Discuss.
  • Development of nuclear power in the Middle East with US foreign policy. Discuss.
  • US foreign policy aims at policing other parts of the world. Can this approach be termed as “bullying”? Critical analysis.
  • Who is the mastermind and behind the control of US foreign policy? Critical analysis.
  • What are the current goals of US foreign policy? Are they justified?
  • How influential is US foreign policy on various other nations of the world? Discuss.
  • What are the similarities and differences between the US foreign policy and the British foreign policy? Discuss and critically analyze.

Also Read: History Dissertation Topics

Politics and Religion: Dissertation Topics

Religion and politics are two separate entities, but they also impact each other, especially in today’s world. Below is a list of the topics related to politics and religion that the researcher can opt to aim his or her dissertation on:

  • Religious beliefs and politics must be treated as separate entities. Discuss
  • Is religion being used as a weapon on political grounds? Critical analysis
  • Terrorism, politics and religion. Discuss the linkage between the three.

Important Notes:

As a student of politics looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing politics theories – i.e., to add value and interest in your research topic.

The field of politics is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , engineering management , healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , marketing and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best politics dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample politics dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Politics Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgements
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References : Make sure to complete this following your University’s requirements
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find politics dissertation topics.

For politics dissertation topics:

  • Follow global political news.
  • Analyze policy gaps or conflicts.
  • Study historical political movements.
  • Explore international relations issues.
  • Review academic journals.
  • Select a topic reflecting your passion and relevance.

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100 Original Political Science Research Topics

Updated 13 Jun 2024

political science research topics

Political Science research papers can easily become overly complex and weak if there are too many ideas scattered across assignment. In order to remedy such situation, choose suitable political science research topics that not only meet initial requirements, but suit author’s personal interest and skills. It should be noted that such assignments are written by Law students, educators, sociologists, or philosophers.

At EduBirdie, we offer professional research paper for sale service, providing direct contact with assigned writer and plagiarism-free work. With expert checking of grammar, structure, formatting, 24/7 online support, as well as academic sources inclusion, excellent results are guaranteed.

5 Do’s & 5 Don’ts of Political Papers

Things that are important for any political science research paper:

  • Always make sure that opposite opinion or counter argument paragraph is included before conclusion part.
  • Backup provided facts with reliable academic sources.  
  • Turn to statistics & data to support provided ideas.
  • Research related literature & similar projects.  
  • Adhere to one idea - one paragraph rule.

Things that you should avoid while completing a research paper for political science class:

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  • Unless working with personal reflection, avoid portrayal of only one side of an issue.
  • Stay neutral when talking of political parties. In such way, it allows seeing benefits & flaws of each actor on his or her own.
  • Do not use extensive quoting unless absolutely necessary.
  • Avoid colloquial language along with slang term elements.

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100 Political Science Research Topics

Political science research topics on comparative politics.

This study field focuses on empirical approach, including comparative methods. Practical examples may include domestic politics, institutions analysis, and diverse conflicts related to domestic or international issues. When choosing such topic, it’s necessary to focus not on study object per se, but on method that is implemented for particular political science issue analysis. Examples can be two parties politics comparison, check some research topics:

  • Comparative Analysis of Electoral Systems in Democracies Worldwide
  • The Impact of Political Culture on Policy Making: A Cross-National Study
  • Federalism vs. Unitarism: A Comparative Study of Government Structures
  • Political Party Systems: A Comparative Analysis of European Countries
  • The Role of Civil Society in Democratic Consolidation: A Comparative Perspective
  • Authoritarian Regimes in the 21st Century: A Comparative Study
  • Comparative Study of Political Corruption in Emerging Economies
  • Welfare State Models in Scandinavia and Southern Europe: A Comparative Analysis
  • The Influence of Religion on Politics: A Comparative Study of Middle Eastern and Western Countries
  • Political Responses to Immigration: A Comparative Study of the U.S. and Europe
  • Environmental Policies: A Comparative Analysis of Developed and Developing Countries
  • The Impact of Globalization on National Sovereignty: A Comparative Study
  • Women in Politics: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Quotas in Different Countries
  • The Effectiveness of Counter-Terrorism Policies: A Comparative Study
  • Social Media and Political Mobilization: A Comparative Analysis of Different Political Regimes

International Relations Political Science Research Topics

Quoting Hans Morgenthau, one can assume that international politics deal with power balance between actors in the international arena. All these struggle involved, filled with conflicts, negotiations, along with controversies take minds of scientists all over the world as they try their best to achieve peaceful resolution of occurring issues. From human rights, global poverty to global ethics, globalization, environmental issues, and security. Here are research topic examples:

  • The Role of International Organizations in Mediating Global Conflicts
  • China's Rising Influence in International Politics: Opportunities and Challenges
  • The Impact of Globalization on Sovereignty of Nation-States
  • Climate Change Diplomacy: International Efforts and Agreements
  • Cybersecurity and International Relations: Emerging Threats and Policies
  • The Effectiveness of Economic Sanctions as a Foreign Policy Tool
  • The Role of Soft Power in Shaping International Public Opinion
  • Post-Brexit European Union: Challenges and Prospects for International Relations
  • The Influence of Non-State Actors in Shaping Global Policies
  • Nuclear Proliferation and International Security: Case Studies of Iran and North Korea
  • The United Nations' Role in Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution
  • Human Rights and International Law: Case Studies of Violations and Responses
  • The Impact of International Trade Agreements on National Economies
  • Refugee Crises and International Response: Policy and Humanitarian Perspectives
  • The Dynamics of US-China Relations in the Context of Global Power Shifts
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Political science philosophy research topics.

This science branch deals with fundamental state legislation aspects, government, liberty, democracy, justice, and legal code mechanics as issued by authority. Most political science essay topics dealing with this subject speak about how society should be set up, what ethics should be applied. There are many political topics to write about. Here are practical topic examples:

  • The Evolution of Social Contract Theory from Hobbes to Rawls
  • Analyzing Machiavelli's Influence on Modern Political Thought
  • The Concept of Justice in Plato’s and Aristotle’s Philosophies
  • John Locke's Political Philosophy and Its Impact on Liberal Democracies
  • The Role of Power and Ethics in Foucault's Political Analysis
  • Hannah Arendt’s Views on Totalitarianism and Modern Political Crises
  • Karl Marx's Theory of Class Struggle and Its Relevance Today
  • The Intersection of Feminist Theory and Political Philosophy
  • Rousseau’s Concept of General Will and Its Implications for Modern Democracy
  • The Philosophy of Human Rights: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
  • Utilitarianism in Political Decision-Making: Benefits and Limitations
  • Libertarianism vs. Communitarianism: A Philosophical Debate
  • The Impact of Postmodernism on Contemporary Political Theory
  • Thomas Hobbes and the Notion of State of Nature in Political Philosophy
  • The Concept of Liberty in the Philosophies of Isaiah Berlin and John Stuart Mill

Political Science Research Topics on Public Administration

This science studies daily functions performed by governmental structures, public administrators work, and various agencies implementation that administer functioning of laws, regulations, as well as introduced policies. Also, many subjects deal with Sociology. Our experts offer such research topics:

  • The Role of Public Administration in Crisis Management and Response
  • E-Government and Digital Transformation in Public Administration
  • Public Policy Analysis: Case Studies of Successful Policy Implementations
  • The Impact of Public Administration on Urban Development and Planning
  • Comparative Study of Bureaucratic Systems in Different Countries
  • Public Sector Reforms: Best Practices and Lessons Learned
  • The Role of Ethics and Accountability in Public Administration
  • Public-Private Partnerships: Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities
  • The Influence of Political Leadership on Public Administration Efficiency
  • Innovations in Public Service Delivery: Case Studies from Around the World
  • The Impact of Globalization on National Public Administration Systems
  • Decentralization and Local Governance: Challenges and Opportunities
  • The Role of Public Administration in Environmental Policy and Sustainability
  • Human Resource Management Practices in the Public Sector
  • The Effectiveness of Public Administration in Healthcare Policy Implementation

Political Science Research Topics on Public Law

It is part of law that studies relationships between state and public members. In terms of challenges, it covers broad range of topics from administrative law, constitution, taxes, and criminal legislation among others. It should not be confused with Private Law that deals with families, small groups, private businesses where economics and more personal issues are considered. Public Law deals with administrative authority in relation to citizens. As an example, when certain decision is questioned, individual society member can ask for plea or review analysis by state authority. Even if it sounds too complex, here are interesting political science research questions samples to inspire you for a great research topic:

  • The Evolution of Constitutional Law in Emerging Democracies
  • Judicial Review and Its Impact on Democratic Governance
  • Comparative Analysis of Civil Liberties in Different Legal Systems
  • The Role of International Law in Resolving Territorial Disputes
  • Human Rights Legislation: Global Trends and National Impacts
  • The Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Laws in Different Political Systems
  • Public Law and Its Role in Regulating Cybersecurity and Privacy
  • Environmental Law and Policy: International Agreements and National Implementation
  • The Influence of Lobbying on Public Policy and Lawmaking
  • Legal Frameworks for Immigration and Refugee Policies in Various Countries
  • The Intersection of Public Law and Health Care Policies during Pandemics
  • Freedom of Speech and Press: Legal Boundaries and Political Implications
  • The Impact of Public Law on Economic Development and Trade Policies
  • Gender Equality Legislation: Comparative Studies of Different Nations
  • The Role of Public Law in Regulating Artificial Intelligence and Technology

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Political Science Research Topics

What we have here is analysis and an in-depth study of processes that relate to politics. A scientist can approach certain event and study cause-and-effect of an issue, study political leader personality or write reflection essay about police officers behavior that have bias towards African American teenagers or those that wear a hood. It does cover sensitive topics, yet what makes it unique is scientific approach along with paper structure. Political science research paper topics should be researchable and include sufficient amount of academic sources. Here are some topics to consider:

  • The Political Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Global Governance
  • Analyzing the Role of Social Media in Modern Political Revolutions
  • The Influence of Space Exploration on International Relations and Policy
  • Political Consequences of Climate Change on Small Island Developing States
  • The Rise of Virtual States: Implications for Traditional Sovereignty
  • Cyber Warfare and Its Effects on National Security Policies
  • The Politics of Pandemics: COVID-19 and Global Political Transformations
  • The Role of Youth Movements in Shaping Contemporary Political Agendas
  • The Impact of Cryptocurrencies on National and Global Economics
  • Political Dimensions of Deep Sea Resource Exploitation
  • The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Political Campaigns and Elections
  • The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Shaping Environmental Policies
  • The Politics of Water Scarcity and Its Global Security Implications
  • The Intersection of Neuroscience and Ethics in Political Decision Making
  • The Future of Work: Political Responses to Automation and AI in the Labor Market

Political Theorists Research Topics

As with any scientific field, theorists works take honorary place, especially when student should complete dissertation and include extensive literature review. To make matters easier, it is recommended by most college professors in the United States to examine works and political science theorists legacy. While such paper may not provide answers to global issues. Moreover, students can also choose comparative politics research questions by comparing several important personalities. Check this research topic ideas:

  • The Political Theories of John Rawls and Their Contemporary Relevance
  • Hannah Arendt's Analysis of Totalitarianism in the 21st Century
  • Michel Foucault's Concept of Power and Its Application in Modern Politics
  • The Influence of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan on Modern State Theory
  • Karl Marx's Critique of Capitalism: Relevance in Today's Global Economy
  • Machiavelli's The Prince and Its Impact on Modern Political Leadership
  • The Contributions of Simone de Beauvoir to Feminist Political Thought
  • Jürgen Habermas and the Concept of the Public Sphere in Democratic Societies
  • Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy and Its Modern Interpretations
  • The Political Ideas of Frantz Fanon and Post-Colonial Studies
  • Isaiah Berlin's Two Concepts of Liberty and Modern Liberal Thought
  • Ayn Rand's Objectivism and Its Influence on Libertarian Politics
  • The Relevance of Rousseau's Social Contract in Contemporary Political Debates
  • Antonio Gramsci's Theory of Cultural Hegemony and Its Modern Applications
  • John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism and Its Role in Contemporary Policy Making

Political Conflicts Research Topics

Ranging from economic battles and elections to interests of each country in natural resources, most American senior college professors in different disciplines advice choosing social issues topics . Just look at countries that are in the middle of conflicts and focus on causes & effects at each stage. Here are several research topic examples:

  • The Geopolitical Dynamics of the South China Sea Dispute
  • The Political and Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen: Causes and Consequences
  • The Role of International Actors in the Syrian Conflict
  • The Impact of Brexit on Political Stability in Europe
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Historical Roots and Future Prospects
  • The North Korean Nuclear Crisis: Regional and Global Implications
  • The Political Ramifications of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
  • The United States-Iran Tensions: A Study of Escalation and Diplomacy
  • The Venezuelan Crisis: Political, Economic, and Social Dimensions
  • The Kashmir Conflict: Historical Background and Current Developments
  • The Role of Ethnicity in the Rwandan Genocide
  • The Cyprus Dispute: A Study of Divided Nations and International Mediation
  • The Impact of Climate Change on Political Conflicts in Africa
  • The Political Aftermath of the Arab Spring in the Middle East
  • The Role of Resource Wealth in Fueling Conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa

Political Science Research Topics on Conflict Resolution

It studies peaceful resolution methods of conflicting issues that vary from custody battles, gender bias in the workplace, and up to international conflicts with several countries involved. Most conflicts relate to social studies project topics because there is always socio-cultural argumentation to start with. Each conflict should be analyzed by offering background, methodology, clear structure, and strong thesis. Here are interesting topics for brainstorming:

  • The Effectiveness of the United Nations in Mediating International Conflicts
  • Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Reconciliation in Rwanda
  • The Role of Women in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
  • The Impact of International Sanctions on Conflict Resolution
  • The Oslo Accords: Lessons in Middle East Peace Negotiations
  • The Use of Track II Diplomacy in Resolving International Disputes
  • The Challenges of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration in Post-Conflict Societies
  • The Role of Regional Organizations in Conflict Resolution: The Case of ASEAN
  • The Impact of Natural Resources on Conflict and Its Resolution in Africa
  • Cyber Conflict Resolution: Emerging Trends and Strategies
  • The Role of International Courts in Resolving Territorial Disputes
  • The Impact of Climate Change on Resource Scarcity and Conflict
  • The Effectiveness of Peacekeeping Missions in Civil War Situations
  • The Role of Grassroots Movements in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
  • The Influence of External Actors on Internal Conflict Dynamics and Resolution Strategies
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Political Science Research Topics on Mediation & Negotiation

While negotiation deals with finding suitable compromise or conditions in a process, mediation stands for intervention in certain dispute with an aim to resolve it. It can be compared to arbitration, yet with involvement of good third party that is impartial. Topics also relate to conflicts and elections often covered by media.

  • The Role of Mediation in Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
  • International Mediation Efforts in the Syrian Civil War
  • The Effectiveness of UN Mediation in Global Conflict Zones
  • The Impact of Cultural Differences on International Negotiation Processes
  • The Use of Shuttle Diplomacy in Modern International Relations
  • The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Conflict Mediation
  • Mediation Strategies in the South China Sea Territorial Disputes
  • The Influence of Economic Interests in International Negotiation Outcomes
  • The Challenges of Mediating Conflicts in Failed States
  • The Evolution of Mediation Techniques in Diplomatic Relations
  • The Role of Track II Diplomacy in De-escalating Political Tensions
  • The Impact of Social Media on Public Perception of International Negotiations
  • The Use of Mediation to Resolve Electoral Disputes in Developing Countries
  • The Effectiveness of Good Offices in International Dispute Resolution
  • The Role of International Law in Mediation and Negotiation Processes

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Home > USC Columbia > Arts and Sciences > Political Science > Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

A Comparative Measure Of Judicial Legitimacy , Rahul Hemrajani

Where the Constitution Is Silent: Indigenous Rights Jurisprudence in the United States , Anthony Wayne Hobert Jr.

Prosecutorial Discretion: District Attorneys, Public Opinion,and the Localized Rule of Law , Yu-Hsien Sung

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Changing Environment. Changing Attitudes? , Lindsey Brooke Hendren

Interstate Rivalry, Domestic Politics, and Economic Coercion , Shaoshuang Wen

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

International Conflict, Political Leaders, and Accountability , William Thomas Christiansen

Liberalization First, Democratization Later: The Linkage Between Income Inequality, Economic Development, and Democratization , Yi-Tzu Lin

Social Trust and Soft Power: The Role of Social Trust in Democratic Countries’ Soft Power Use , Judit Trunkos

Economic Interdependence, Power, and Peace: A Rationalist Study of Commercial Liberalism , Yuleng Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Essays on the Political Economy of International Trade and Coups , William Akoto

Judicial Legitimacy and the Dearth of State Supreme Court Knowledge , TJ Kimel

Women in the Governor's Mansion: Breaking the Barrier to Competition , Helen Adair King

Causes and Consequences of Police Militarization , Edward Eugene Lawson, Jr.

Dynamic Environments and Judicial Power , Monica Lineberger

The Dynamics of Vote Buying in Developing Democracies: Party Attachment and Party Competition in Southeast Asia , Matthew Louis Wagner

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Deepening Democracy: Inclusion, Deliberation, And Voice In The Grassroots South , Annie L. Boiter-Jolley

Evangelicals, Perceived Marginalization and Expressive Mobilization , Christin E. McMasters

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Economic Foundations of Authoritarian Rule , Clay Robert Fuller

Partisan Polarization, Social Identity, and Deliberative Democracy in the United States , Ryan Strickler

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Being Strategic: Black Legislative Representation In The Republican-Controlled South Carolina House of Representatives , Willie James Black

Leaders in Search of the Bomb: Institutional Incentives for Nuclear Decisions , Paige Price Cone

The Three Dimensionality Model Of State Security And Armed Conflict: Internal And External Dimensions And Lessons From The Middle East , Juri Kim

The Impact of Supreme Court Precedent in a Judicial Hierarchy , Ali Masood

How The European Union’s Criteria For Membership Move Public Opinion , Douglas Page

Information Heterogeneity and Economic Voting: A Cross-National Analysis , Chia-yin Wei

Nothing is the Matter with Kansas: White Southern Exceptionalism in American Politics , Paul White Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Turkish Foreign Policy Under The Justice And Development Party (AKP): A Paradigm Shift? , Ali Demirdas

The Liberal Commercial Peace, Regional Considerations: International Relations of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the European Union Countries , Chienwu Hsueh

The Political Economy of Property Rights In China: Local Officials, Incentive Structure, And Private Enterprises , Ingrid Yingxia Li

The Domestic Adoption of International Human Rights Law: the Roles of Regional and National High Courts in Latin America , Rebecca Ann Reid

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

TOWARDS COMMON EUROPEAN ENERGY POLICY , Mariam Dekanozishvili

Essays on Battle Clusters in Internal Armed Conflicts and Insurgencies: Concept, Causes and Consequences , Chifeng Liu

The Effects of Political Control and Institutional Structure on State Ethics Commissions , William Jonathan Rauh

Do Americans’ Perceptions of the Prevalence of Prejudice Impact Their Racial Policy Preferences? Investigating Meta-Stereotypes as a Potential Causal Mechanism , Alexandra Reckendorf

How Much Do Groups Still Matter to Politics? An Examination of Group Influences on Public Opinion , Lauren E. Smith

Microfinance and Poverty Reduction: How Risks Associated With Government Policies Affect Whether Microfinance Alleviates Poverty in Latin-America , Brian Warby

Taking Interests and International Conflict More Seriously , Chong-Han Wu

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Protracted Social Conflict: A Reconceptualization and Case Analysis , Melissa M. C. Beaudoin

Race, Class, Gender, and Linked Fate: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of African American Political Partisanship, 1996 and 2004 , Sherral Yolanda Brown-Guinyard

Holding International Public-Private Partnership Accountable: An Analysis of Sensitivity and Vulnerability Dynamics In Ghana'S Water Sector Reform and Its Impact On the Target Population , Xi Chen

The Impact of Ideology and Attorneys On Precedent Usage: An Analysis of State High Courts , Benjamin Kassow

Environmental Footprints of Violent Conflict , Swapna Pathak

Economic Agreements and Interstate Conflict: A Policy Substitution Model of Coercion , Matthew Daniel-Marion Shaffer

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Religion, Electoral Rules and Women's Representation: A Cross National Examination , Wafaa Adnan Alaradi

Postcolonial and Constructivist Theoretical Explanations of Women'S Traditional Agency In Sociopolitical Participation and Reproductive Rights In Present Day Mali and the Pilipinas , Jennifer Almeda

South Africa In Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Integration In the Southern African Development Community Using Hegemonic Stability Theory , William Andrew Jennings

The Relationship Between State Dissatisfaction and the Level of Conflict In State Dyads: the Revised Power Transition Theory , Hsiao-chuan Liao

Fighting In Space: Understanding the Opportunity and Willingness to Pursue Space Weapons , Michael James Martindale

Capital offenses, Non-Capital offenses, and Party Capability: Habeas Corpus Litigation in U.S. District Courts , Nicholas A. Mostardo

How Rivalries End: Understanding Dynamics of the Rivalry Termination Process , Soonkun Oh

State Implementation of the Children's Health Insurance Program: Analyses of Variation In Policy Adoption , Rebecca Layne Russ-Sellers

Female Legislators and the Power of the Purse: Does Gender Affect Government Spending? A Cross-National Analysis , Jennifer Suzanne Tison

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Judging the Bureaucrats: Understanding the Dynamics of Court-Agency Interaction , Michael P. Fix

La Ruta Maya: The Effects of tourism and the State On the Political Behavior Choices of the Maya , Heather Lea Hawn

Presidents and Terminal Logic Behavior: Term Limits and Executive Action In the United States, Brazil, and Argentina , Genevieve M. Kehoe

The Questions of Compliance With the NPT Regime and Complex Multilateral Nuclear Negotiations: A Comparative Analysis of North Korea and Iran As Defector States , Jihyun Kim

The Rule of Law In Times of War: A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of War On High Court Decision-Making , Susanne Schorpp

Between and Beyond Borders: Conflict, International Response, and Forced Migration , Young Hoon Song

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The War On Terrorism In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An Academic Analysis of the Growing Phenomenon of Political Violence In the Kingdom. , Faisal M. Al-Madhi

Re-Defining Public Service In An Era of Networked Governance: An Examination of the Influence of Public Service Motivation On Contractors In Homeland Security , Alexa Haddock Bigwarfe

The Power and Authority of the Committee On the Rights of the Child , Aleksandra Chauhan

Does Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) Affect Conflict? theIntertwined Relationship Between Multinational Corporations (Mncs) and Nation-States , Yi-Hung Chiou

Counterinsurgency Colonels: The Role of the Practitioner In the Evolution of Modern Counterinsurgency , Garrett Scott DeWitt

The Geometry of Racial Politics: The Role of Policy Entrepreneurs In Fostering Triangulation Among U.S. Racial and Ethnic Groups, 1800-1964 , Athena M. King

Passionate Political Talk: Social Networks and the Emotional Impact of Political Discussion , Bryan Michael Parsons

Judges and Their Loyalties: A Comparative Study Focused On the Venezuelan Supreme Court , Raul A. Sanchez Urribarri

International Law In the Supreme Court of the United States: An Empirical Analysis , Alan Michael Tauber

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Wolves In Chic Clothing: Gender, Media and the Securitization of Female Suicide Bombers , Mekell Mikell

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100 Best Political Science Research Topics

June 3, 2024

Political science is an incredibly broad and variated discipline, containing numerous subfields that attract immense amounts of research. Researchers in the field can utilize diverse empirical or theoretical methodologies, sometimes in combination. There are specialized fields based on geographic areas, time periods, political forms and institutions, and bodies of thought. Researchers might aim to impact policy, inspire advocacy, or produce knowledge about the nature of political ideas, systems, and processes. There are even sub-disciplines that focus separately on either relations or comparisons between nation-states (international relations and comparative politics, respectively). Given this expansiveness, it can be challenging to quickly pick out compelling political science research topics.

This article provides a broad sample of political science topics. Most of the topics are already the subject of intensive research, which is ultimately something to look for when identifying a topic. Understanding the themes and subfields that already structure study in the field can ultimately help toward locating a unique research interest. From there, it’s a matter of refining interests into specific topics and, eventually, questions that drive research.

Picking Political Science Research Topics

Finding political science topics usually involves doing two things, sometimes simultaneously. The first requires understanding what prominent topics already exist in the field(s). After all, this discipline has been around for many decades, with incredible amounts of published research each year. It’s best to not try to wholly reinvent the wheel in this case, or risk selecting a topic for which there is no available research. The second entails reflecting on what feels important to research. A topic could be significant because it is remarkably timely or because there is some pragmatic outcome in mind. The researcher might even have a personal connection with the topic on top of these other kinds of factors. Pursuing research that feels important is an evergreen recommendation – otherwise, research can be produced without any clear purpose or benefit in mind.

So, when picking political science research topics, consider these processes and resources:

1) Start with what interests you. Take inventory of your personal and intellectual experiences and how they might intersect with what you know about political research. How would you map your experiences geographically or historically? What themes in the political sphere grab your attention? In what ways have you and others around you interacted with formal politics? Understanding what you are motivated to learn about makes the process of selecting among political science topics more organic.

Picking Political Science Research Topics (Cont.)

2) Consider what feels urgent. Political science has a good deal of overlap with the discipline of history. But perhaps even more than historians, political scientists are committed to understanding and improving politics in the present. A great deal of tremendous scholarship is sparked from this presentist impulse. What news items are persistently interesting or seem to revolve around intractably complex problems? A topic connected to widely recognized issues in the present will almost immediately justify the resulting research.

3) Survey field categories and literature. Usually, topics that are timely will already be drawing attention from other researchers. It’s also possible to spark curiosity through understanding how others have framed topics and questions. However, the most important reason for this step is to ensure that a research topic will have enough published writing around it to warrant attention. There are many ways to complete a survey within or across political science fields. To start, fields like comparative politics have field-specific journals and anthologies with useful descriptions and citations. There is the Journal of Comparative Politics , a journal called Comparative Political Studies , and a big anthology called Comparative Politics: A Practical Guide . Another extremely helpful resource is the research database known as Oxford Bibliographies . There, political science scholars compile bibliographic entries that define subfields and provide key citations.

Again, these are not strictly sequential steps. Often, it’s necessary to engage existing topics and research questions and use them to inspire reflection on what feels significant. Or it’s likely that specific interests will help delimit subfields, making it easier to comb through topics.

It’s important to narrow topics so that a researcher could reasonably become an expert on. In Oxford Bibliographies, many times they break very broad topics into multiple subtopics, each with its own body of literature. But it can also be useful to think about the research question that might stem from the broad topic. What specifically is it that needs to be known about this topic? What causes and effects are involved in phenomena we can see and describe but have not yet analyzed? Or what can be critiqued, evaluated, improved or replaced? Finding how a broad topic can lead to descriptive, analytical, or evaluative research questions is the most effective way to identify compelling and specific topics.

The List – Political Science Research Topics (1-30)

African politics.

1) African Ethnic, Linguistic, and Religious Minority Political Representation

2) Authoritarianism in the Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa

3) Comparative Political Structures of African Urban Governments

4) Democratization Policies and Political Movements in Africa

5) Ethnic and Religious Plurality in the Politics of Nigeria

6) National and Transnational LGBTQ Political Movements in Africa

7) Political Organization Around Climate Crises in Africa

8) Public Opinion on International NGOs in Africa

9) South Africa’s Governmental Policies for COVID Vaccination

10) Women in African Politics

Asian Politics

11) Competing Claims to Sovereignty in the South China Sea

12) Economic and Cultural Effects of China’s One-Child Policy

13) Labor Politics in China

14) Media Politics and Expression in Asian Countries

15) Nationalism and Religious Minorities in India

16) Philippine Politics and the Illicit Drug Economy

17) Social Movements in East Asia

18) South Korean Policies Addressing Demographic Decline

19) Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong

20) Youth Protest Movements in Taiwan

Comparative Politics

21) Authoritarian Populism in Brazil, Hungary, and India

22) Countries that Host Foreign-Owned Nuclear Weapons

23) Diasporas and National Politics in South and East Asian Countries

24) Differences in Environmental Politics Between the Global North and Global South

25) Elections in Sierra Leone and Their Differences from Other Countries

26) Governmental Responses to Gang Violence in Different Latin American Countries

27) Income Inequality in Advanced Democracies

28) Indigenous Rights and Politics in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

29) Laws Surrounding Abortion in the U.S. and the U.K.

30) State Legitimacy and Authority in Botswana and Somalia

Political Science Topics (31-60)

European politics.

31) Authoritarianism and Media Politics in Turkey

32) Austerity, White Identity Politics, and Brexit

33) Ethnic and Religious Minority Representation in the European Union

34) European Public Opinion on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

35) Far-Right Political Mobilization in Europe

36) France’s Political Opposition to Multicultural Pluralism

37) Immigration, Islamophobia, and European Union Political Campaigns

38) Political Challenges and Opportunities for European Integration

39) Regime Transitions in Post-Communist Eastern Europe

40) Welfare State Development in Western Europe

International Relations

41) Border Security Politics, Immigration, and International Relations

42) Efficacy of International Criminal Justice Bodies

43) Energy Politics of International Relations

44) Global Economy of Illicit Drugs

45) Global Politics of Intellectual Property

46) International Conflict Management

47) International NGOs and Their Effects on National Politics

48) Political Responses to Transboundary Pollution

49) Preferential Trade Agreements and Tariff Wars

50) Regulation of International Private Corporations

Latin American Politics

51) Authoritarianism and Democratization in Brazil’s Political History

52) Christian Transnational Political Mobilization in Latin America

53) Electoral Volatility and Suppression in Venezuela

54) Government Responses to Organized Crime in Mexico and Central America

55) Guerilla Insurgencies in Latin America

56) Neoliberalism and Democracy in Latin America

57) Military Government in Latin America, 1959-1990

58) Populism’s Role in Shaping Latin American Politics

59) Poverty, Inequality, and Development in Latin America

60) Regional Economic, Political, and Cultural Integration in Latin America

Political Science Research Topics (61-90)

Methodology.

61) Accuracy and Reliability of Models Predicting Election Outcomes

62) Applying Game Theory to Understand Political Strategies

63) Development of Survey Methods and Research

64) Ethical Problems Surrounding the Use of Experiments in Political Research

65) Experimental Methods for Promoting Voter Turnout

66) Impact of Survey Design and Sampling Techniques on Validity in Public Opinion Polls

67) Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Political Research

68) Machine Learning Techniques and Political Science

69) Researching Politics Through Big Data

70) Using Ethnography to Study Political Behavior and Institutions

Middle Eastern Politics

71) Comparative Politics of the Middle East and North Africa

72) Democracy, Statehood, and the Israel-Palestine Peace Process

73) Immigrant Labor Politics in Oil-Rich Middle East Countries

74) Mobilization and Oppression Through Media Control in the Arab Spring

75) Oil Wealth, Political Stability, and Economic Development in the Middle East

76) Political Islam, National, and International Politics in the Middle East

77) Postcolonialism and the Political Development of Iran

78) S. Foreign Policy and Its Effects on Stability and Governance in the Middle East

79) Women’s Political Participation in the Middle East and North Africa

80) Water Politics and Their Impact on Middle Easter International Relations and Security

Political Theory

81) Critical Political Theory and the Frankfurt School

82) Development of Political Thought in Ancient China

83) Effects of New Media (i.e., TVs, CDs, social messaging platforms) in Politics

84) Feminist Interventions in Political Thought

85) Hegelian and Counter-Hegelian Political Thought

86) Intersectionality in Political Theory

87) Nationalist and Cosmopolitan Political Thought

88) Religion in Classical and Contemporary Political Thought

89) Political Representation and Policy Responsiveness to Public Opinion

90) Postcolonial and Decolonial Political Theory

Political Science Topics (91-100)

U.s. politics.

91) Age and Generational Differences in U.S. Politics

92) Asian American Politics and Political Movements

93) Campaign Advertising in U.S. Elections

94) Celebrity Influence on Political Campaigns in the U.S.

95) Interest Groups and Modern U.S. Conservativism

96) Litigation Strategies in Political Contests Over Abortion

97) Politics of Electoral Redistricting in the U.S.

98) Politics of U.S. Healthcare System and Reform

99) S. Politics and Policies of Mass Incarceration

100) Voter Opinion on Women Political Candidates

Final Thoughts on Political Science Research Topics

Political science topics are rarely one-size-fits-all. Like many humanistic and other modes of research, topics typically suit the specific interests and motivations of the researcher. Do you want to improve a method or practical process? Are you interested in the politics of a specific region, or motivated to learn about something especially urgent? Where is the conversation within or across fields, and where might you have the most to contribute? Combining careful self-assessment and knowledge of research fields is the best way to effectively carve out your own chunk of the gigantic discipline that is political science.

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Tyler holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri and two Master of Arts degrees in English, one from the University of Maryland and another from Northwestern University. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in English at Northwestern University, where he also works as a graduate writing fellow.

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American Politics Research

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For over 40 years, American Politics Research has served as an integral forum for the dissemination of the latest theory, research and analyses in American political science.   Comprehensive...

American Politics Research presents original works by distinguished authors from a wide range of fields concerned with American politics. Articles examine and explore topics in every area of government, from local and state to regional and national. American Politics Research brings you the most recent scholarship on such subject areas as:

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Political Science Research Topics

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Political science plays an important role in how we shape the world around us. It offers insight into governments, political systems, public policies, international relations, and more. This makes it a broad subject to explore. But it can also be challenging to find a captivating political science research topic. 

To make things easier, we’ve collected multiple political science research paper topics that suit any taste and need. We made a step further and divided these ideas into accessible categories. Choose the area you are most interested in and get ready to find a bunch of political science research topics in your domain.

But first things first, let’s figure out what politics is all about.

What Are Political Science Research Topics?

Politics is the study of governments, public policies, and political processes. It investigates how societies make decisions. Political science also examines how decisions affect people, both on a small scale, like a neighborhood, and on a global scale, like international relations.

Political science research paper topics can range widely within this discipline. Depending on your interests and goals, you could explore anything from voting behavior to gender equality in politics. You can also study global diplomatic relations, electoral systems, or the influence of media on political outcomes.

Characteristics of Good Political Science Research Paper Topics

Politics shapes our world in myriad ways. Every aspect of it bears relevance and offers a platform for thoughtful discourse, making it a fertile field for academic exploration.

However, good political science topics aren’t just about selecting a subject itself. Great ideas require elements of intrigue, relevance, and potential for in-depth examination, all while showcasing your input. So, what should you consider while choosing between different political research topics? Well, your passion and expertise are pivotal. Your topic should resonate with your interests and align with your academic focus.

Here's a brief overview of characteristics that make up engaging political science research topics:

  • Relevant and contemporary
  • Balanced in its scope
  • Well-documented and containing enough material
  • Interesting to you as well as your readers
  • Suitable for follow-up studies and/or additional research.

How to Choose a Political Science Research Topic?

Stumped about which political science topic to choose for your research paper? It's a common dilemma for many students. You shouldn’t just pick a theme. You must ensure that your topic sustains your interest, meets academic requirements, and resonates with your audience.

No need to stress, though! This blog is here to help you navigate these tricky waters. Our online essay writer team has shared these step-by-step guidelines to help you choose a successful topic for your political science paper:

  • Start with something you’re passionate about. Your enthusiasm and interest will animate the project and guide you to success.
  • Come up with an original idea that hasn’t been explored in depth before or is still relevant today.
  • Find something that’s timely and engaging to a wider audience. This should be something that people care about and are actively discussing.
  • Look for hidden connections, patterns, and solutions. Make sure your political science research topic is complex enough to ensure in-depth research.
  • Gather the necessary materials beforehand. Ensure availability of information before you begin analyzing your theme.

List of Political Science Research Topics

Before you plunge into our expertly compiled list, remember to double-check your instructor's guidelines. Aligning your choice with your course requirements is vital. Now, prepare to browse through the most captivating politics research topics that could be the launchpad for your future paper.

  • Understanding democracy: An evolving concept.
  • Rise of populism in 21st-century politics.
  • Climate change and global governance.
  • Role of United Nations: Effectiveness and criticisms.
  • Politics behind nuclear disarmament.
  • Influence of social media on political campaigns.
  • Immigration policies: A comparative study.
  • Human rights and foreign policy.
  • Impact of political instability on economic growth.
  • Cybersecurity in international relations.
  • Decoding political symbolism in public spaces.
  • Feminism and its political impact.
  • Role of youth in politics.
  • Is healthcare a political issue?
  • Examining political bias in media.

Easy Political Science Research Topics

While the field of political science can seem intricate, there are areas within it that are more accessible, yet equally intriguing. If you're new to the discipline or prefer less complex issues, this list of simple political science paper topics could be your go-to. Each topic is designed to offer an easy entry point into political science, but still, provide room for critical analysis .

  • Defining basic political ideologies: Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism.
  • How does voting work? An overview.
  • Impact of political cartoons on public opinion.
  • Presidential vs. parliamentary systems.
  • Role of lobby groups in shaping policy.
  • Political satire and its influence.
  • Environmental policy: Understanding basics.
  • What role does local government play?
  • Does every vote count in elections?
  • How accurate are public opinion polls?
  • Politics in sports.
  • Privacy rights in a digital era.
  • Gender representation in politics.
  • Patriotism vs. nationalism: Understanding the difference.
  • Role of celebrities in political campaigns.

Interesting Political Science Research Topics

Political science never falls short of captivating topics. With its dynamic nature and its intricate connection to real-world issues, there's always something noteworthy to explore. We've done our utmost to curate a list of topics in political science that will pique anyone’s curiosity:

  • Lessons from literature on dystopian governance.
  • The war on drugs policy.
  • What influence does propaganda have on contemporary governance?
  • How governing ideologies influence art.
  • Balancing national security with personal freedoms.
  • Importance of whistleblowers in democratic societies.
  • Rhetoric and reality behind political speeches.
  • Implications of artificial intelligence on governance.
  • Attainability of world peace: A critical perspective.
  • Dynamics of power in non-democratic systems.
  • Global pandemics and their effects on governance.
  • Competing for Mars: A new space race.
  • Impact of religion on governance.
  • Perspective on animal rights from a political viewpoint.
  • Food accessibility: Who decides who gets to eat what?

Good Topics for a Political Science Research Paper

Scoring points with your professor often comes down to choosing compelling and thought-provoking research paper ideas . The following list includes good political science research questions that are in tune with contemporary discourse. Each topic offers plenty of room to showcase your analytical skills and knowledge.

  • Evaluating e-democracy: Benefits and drawbacks.
  • How migration policies shape nations.
  • Media as a tool for political persuasion.
  • Political philosophy in science fiction literature.
  • Trade wars and global relations.
  • Is there a global shift towards autocracy?
  • Understanding diplomatic immunity: Rights and abuses.
  • Role of non-state actors in shaping international policy.
  • Rise of nationalism in globalized societies.
  • Impact of climate change on national security.
  • Examination of censorship laws across nations.
  • Can blockchain technology revolutionize voting systems?
  • Decoding political rhetoric in campaign promises.
  • Gender pay gap: A policy analysis.
  • Influence of economic inequality on social unrest.

Best Political Science Research Topics

We have curated an irresistible list of political science topics for a research paper. These ideas range from pressing international issues to more granular policy questions, all guaranteed to challenge your analytical skills.

  • Exploring causes and effects of global populism.
  • Transparency as a key to ethical political leadership.
  • Evaluating the role of social media censorship in political landscapes.
  • Influence of multiculturalism on policy development.
  • Unpacking the outcomes and justifications of military interventions.
  • Corruption's destructive role in democratic systems.
  • Merits and pitfalls of technocracy.
  • Interplay of bureaucracy and governance.
  • Pathways to address political polarization.
  • Effects of historical colonization on current government structures.
  • Role of extremism in shaping international relations.
  • How global climate commitments affect nations.
  • Using sanctions as a diplomatic tool.
  • Conflict resolution through international law.
  • Geopolitics in outer space exploration.

Current Research Topics in Political Science

Political science is a progressing field, so the problems you research will always be relevant. Our list of up-to-date topics of political science will help you make sure your paper is on point.

  • Artificial intelligence in global governance.
  • Global health governance in pandemics.
  • Impact of digital currencies on economies.
  • Changes in contemporary immigration attitudes.
  • Climate crisis' role in diplomatic dialogues.
  • Social movements and societal change.
  • Tech giants and information control.
  • Civil liberties in pandemic responses.
  • Gender disparities in political representation.
  • Decolonization trends in the 21st century.
  • Cyber warfare and national security.
  • Ethics of drone warfare.
  • Crypto-anarchy and state sovereignty.
  • Right-wing extremism in the digital age.
  • Power dynamics in international space law.

Political Science Research Topic Ideas for Students

Navigating politics can be overwhelming for students, given its broad nature and intersecting disciplines. With the right research topics for political science, however, this complexity transforms into an opportunity for a decent study. Our list of political science research topics ideas is designed with students in mind, focusing on engaging, relevant, and manageable themes.

Political Science Research Paper Topics for College Students

For college students, political science topics for research papers should strike a balance between complexity and approachability. With that in mind, here's a collection of college-level political topics to write about.

  • Leadership styles across governments.
  • Impact of gender roles in election campaigns.
  • Role of think tanks in shaping public opinion.
  • Studying historical revolutions and their aftermath.
  • Influence of socio-economic status on voting behavior.
  • Exploring ethical dilemmas in international relations.
  • Cultural diplomacy and its effectiveness.
  • Sovereignty disputes and their resolution.
  • Rise and implications of digital citizenship.
  • Evaluating meritocracy as a system of governance.
  • Role of peacekeeping operations in conflict resolution.
  • Comparing capitalist and socialist economies.
  • Decoding cyber diplomacy in the digital age.
  • Relationship between economic crises and political changes.
  • Minority rights in democratic societies.

Political Science Research Topics for University

When it comes to political topics to talk about in university, politics offers a variety of interesting options. Here's a list of captivating research ideas that are sure to get you top grades:

  • Political revolutions in the digital age.
  • Comparative study of political systems.
  • Effectiveness of international climate agreements.
  • Unraveling political consequences of economic sanctions.
  • Studying neocolonialism in modern economies.
  • Impact of income inequality on social stability.
  • Debating political implications of universal basic income.
  • Role of international courts in global governance.
  • Influence of cultural diversity on national policies.
  • Dissecting geopolitics in Arctic resource exploitation.
  • Understanding post-conflict reconciliation processes.
  • Evaluating state responses to refugee crises.
  • Study of civil disobedience in democratic societies.
  • Role of soft power in international relations.
  • Disentangling politics of global water disputes.

Political Science Research Topics by Subjects

Political science is a diverse field, consisting of multiple subdomains. To help you spot a fitting theme, we've organized research paper topics for political science according to these subjects. From international relations to public policy, this assortment promises a treasure trove of research opportunities just waiting to be explored.

Philosophy Political Science Research Topics

Philosophy politics research topics explore the intersection of political science and philosophical thought. These themes focus on fundamental questions, such as the purpose of politics and its effects on society. Here are a few ideas to get your started:

  • Relevance of Machiavelli's theories today.
  • Understanding justice in Plato's Republic.
  • Influence of Kantian ethics on governance.
  • Are human rights universal or culturally relative?
  • Interplay of liberty and equality in societies.
  • Exploring Hobbes' notion of social contract.
  • Rawls versus Nozick: theories of justice compared.
  • Feminist perspectives on political participation.
  • Role of ethics in bureaucratic institutions.
  • Marx's theory of capitalism: A critical review.
  • Foucault's perspectives on power and control.
  • Locke's influence on modern democracies.
  • Concepts of civil disobedience in Thoreau's writings.
  • Arendt on violence, power, and authority.
  • Exploring Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony.
  • Derrida's deconstruction: A political tool?
  • Nietzsche’s perspectives on societal structure.
  • Understanding politics through Spinoza's lens.
  • Evaluating communitarianism in contemporary societies.
  • Habermas on communicative action in politics.

>> View more: Philosophy Paper Topics

Political Science Research Topics on Public Law

Public law is one of the most popular subdomains of political science, as it focuses on legal systems and state power. It's a domain that lets you explore how laws are formulated, implemented, and impact society. Below you can find various political research questions in public law, including constitutional issues, administrative governance, and individual rights, among others.

  • Role of constitution in shaping governance.
  • Impact of judicial activism on democracy.
  • Analyzing separation of powers in governments.
  • Free speech rights in digital platforms.
  • Repercussions of surveillance laws on privacy.
  • Comparative study of electoral laws.
  • Analyzing federalism in constitutional law.
  • Police power and civil liberties.
  • Effectiveness of anti-discrimination laws.
  • Administrative discretion: Power and accountability.
  • Impact of immigration laws on societies.
  • Understanding lawmaking process in parliamentary systems.
  • Role of supreme courts in constitutional interpretation.
  • Law enforcement and minority rights.
  • Legal aspects of environmental protection.
  • Hate speech laws and freedom of expression.
  • Public health laws in times of crisis.
  • Legal mechanisms to fight corruption.
  • Analyzing gun control laws across nations.
  • Legal challenges in the implementation of welfare policies.

>> Learn more:  Law Research Topics

Research Topics in Political Science on Public Administration

Public administration is the study of how governments and other public institutions are managed. It examines their structures, operations, policies, and politics to understand how they work in practice. Here's a collection of project topics for political science on public administration worth attention:

  • Understanding bureaucracy in modern governance.
  • Role of public administrators in policy implementation.
  • Effect of administrative reforms on public services.
  • Importance of ethics in public administration.
  • Evaluating public financial management systems.
  • Role of e-governance in public service delivery.
  • Analyzing gender representation in public administration.
  • Public administration in urban planning.
  • Role of public-private partnerships in governance.
  • Crisis management strategies in public administration.
  • Leadership challenges in public organizations.
  • Role of transparency in public service delivery.
  • Organizational culture in public administration.
  • Analyzing the politics-administration dichotomy.
  • Decision-making processes in public organizations.
  • Evaluating accountability mechanisms in public administration.
  • Human resource challenges in public services.
  • Impact of corruption on public administration.
  • Role of citizens' participation in public administration.
  • Comparative study of public administration models.

Political Science Research Paper Topics on Comparative Politics

Comparative politics research topics offer a window into how different political systems operate, what works, and what needs reevaluation. It encourages you to step outside the boundaries of your local context and grasp a more global perspective on political processes. The following political essay topics and paper ideas will fit any compare and contrast essay or project.

  • Social welfare measures across democracies.
  • Examining stability in different governmental systems.
  • Comparative analysis of electoral mechanisms.
  • Impact of societal culture on governance.
  • Federalism versus unitary systems: A comparative study.
  • Scrutinizing corruption in diverse economies.
  • A cross-nation study of education systems.
  • Protection of minority rights across countries.
  • Comparing freedom of the press globally.
  • Role of armed forces in various governmental structures.
  • Analyzing constitutional designs across nations.
  • A study on decentralization efforts in different countries.
  • Comparative research on party systems.
  • Gender and leadership: A cross-country examination.
  • Populism in different societal contexts.
  • Comparative view of environmental conservation measures.
  • Human rights protections in different nations.
  • Influence of colonial history on modern governance.
  • Cross-national study of immigration rules.
  • Role of religion in different governance systems.

Political Science Research Topics on Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is an essential field in political science, focusing on the methods and strategies used to mitigate disputes on local, national, and international levels. It opens up opportunities to explore how peace is achieved, maintained, and sometimes lost. Below you can find political issues to write about if you want to focus on different disputes.

  • Peacebuilding strategies in post-war societies.
  • Role of diplomacy in averting conflicts.
  • Effectiveness of international arbitration.
  • Power sharing as a tool for peace.
  • Influence of civil society on conflict resolution.
  • Role of United Nations in global peacekeeping.
  • Mediation strategies in intra-state conflicts.
  • Women in peace negotiations.
  • Strategies for resolving territorial disputes.
  • Analyzing post-conflict reconciliation processes.
  • Impact of economic sanctions on conflict resolution.
  • Role of international law in conflict mitigation.
  • Effectiveness of non-violent resistance.
  • Analyzing the success of peace treaties.
  • Study of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes.
  • Resolving resource-based conflicts.
  • Role of third parties in conflict resolution.
  • Approaches to addressing ethnic conflicts.
  • Influence of climate change on conflict resolution.
  • Cyber conflict resolution strategies.

Political Science Research Topics on Meditation and Negotiation

Mediation and negotiation sit at the heart of conflict resolution, focusing on peaceful strategies to address disputes and foster cooperation. These techniques find wide application in various contexts, from local disagreements to international conflicts. These interesting research topics in political science allow you to understand how these processes work in theory and practice:

  • Role of intermediaries in peace processes.
  • Strategies for successful diplomatic discussions.
  • Comparative analysis of negotiation techniques.
  • Dialogue styles in international diplomacy.
  • Analyzing the success of secret diplomatic talks.
  • Role of non-state actors in negotiation.
  • Gender dynamics in discussion processes.
  • Influence of cultural factors on dispute resolution.
  • Role of international organizations in diplomatic dialogues.
  • Arbitration in maritime territorial disputes.
  • Use of discussions in trade agreements.
  • Role of trust in successful dialogues.
  • Addressing power asymmetry in discussions.
  • Track II diplomacy in mediation.
  • Impact of communication technology on dispute settlement.
  • Role of empathy in successful negotiation.
  • Influence of domestic politics on international mediation..
  • Conflict resolution strategies in labor disputes.
  • Role of transparency in negotiations.
  • Evolution of dispute resolution techniques over time.

>> View more: Communication Research Topics

International Relations Political Research Topics

International relations explores connections among nations, the roles of sovereign states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations. This field offers a multitude of engaging research topics ranging from issues of diplomacy, international conflict, global cooperation, to international trade. Here are some political science research ideas that focus on international relations:

  • Role of multinational corporations in global governance.
  • Cross-border environmental cooperation.
  • Effectiveness of international law enforcement.
  • Influence of globalism on sovereignty.
  • Impact of digital diplomacy in foreign relations.
  • Evolution of global power structures.
  • Influence of cultural diplomacy in global partnerships.
  • Strategies for global poverty reduction.
  • Understanding geopolitics in Arctic exploration.
  • Challenges to global health collaboration.
  • Role of non-state actors in global governance.
  • Interplay of economics and international relations.
  • Humanitarian interventions: A critical analysis.
  • Cross-border migration and its global implications.
  • International responses to global pandemics.
  • Role of international courts in justice delivery.
  • Diplomacy in the age of information technology.
  • Analyzing global disarmament efforts.
  • Global efforts in counter-terrorism.
  • Evolution of international trade agreements.

American Politics Research Paper Topics

American politics is a wide-ranging field, including issues from the local, state, to national levels. It incorporates diverse aspects like public opinion, public policy, ideological shifts, and more. The United States' unique political system offers abundant potential for research. Here are American politics research topics for your next project:

  • Evolution of American federalism.
  • Impact of Supreme Court decisions on society.
  • Understanding American political polarization.
  • Role of third parties in U.S. elections.
  • Influence of social movements on legislation.
  • Examining executive orders' effectiveness.
  • Shifts in public opinion on climate change.
  • Impact of lobbying on American health care reform.
  • Influence of Presidential debates on voters.
  • Effects of gerrymandering on electoral outcomes.
  • Analyzing campaign finance reform in U.S.
  • Role of think tanks in shaping U.S. policy.
  • Implications of immigration reform on U.S. economy.
  • Gun control debate and policy outcomes.
  • Social justice and law enforcement reform.
  • Influence of race and ethnicity on voting patterns.
  • Role of the media in shaping public opinion.
  • Analyzing the U.S. response to global pandemics.
  • Examination of U.S. trade policies.
  • Impact of technology on U.S. governance.

Government Research Paper Topics

Government is a broad field that includes many different subdomains and politics topics to discuss. It revolves around the structures, processes, and functions of governing bodies, allowing you to explore the inner workings of various political systems. Here are some useful ideas on government:

  • Evaluating the meritocracy in civil services.
  • Digitization of public services: Impact and challenges.
  • Understanding state surveillance: Balancing security and privacy.
  • Impact of decentralization on local development.
  • Government's role in disaster management.
  • Analyzing the government's role in fostering innovation.
  • Study on government initiatives for financial inclusion.
  • Role of government in mitigating income inequality.
  • Government strategies in promoting renewable energy.
  • Analysis of government responses to recessions.
  • Public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.
  • Government regulation of the gig economy.
  • Role of government in promoting cultural heritage.
  • Public sector reforms for better governance.
  • Government interventions in housing markets.
  • Assessing government transparency initiatives.
  • Government's role in universal health care provision.
  • The impact of political term limits on governance.
  • Government initiatives in curbing the opioid crisis.
  • The role of governments in combating online misinformation.

Political Science Research Questions

Research questions provide a clear direction to your studies, defining what you want to achieve. Here are some unique research questions for political science that span a wide array of sub-areas:

  • How does social media shape public opinion on climate change policy?
  • How can local governments boost civic engagement?
  • How does income inequality impact political participation?
  • How do trade policies affect domestic industries?
  • How do immigration laws influence national identity?
  • How does political advertising affect voter turnout?
  • How does corruption impact public trust in government?
  • How does gender representation in government influence policy decisions?
  • What role does education play in political awareness?
  • How does political satire influence public perception of politicians?
  • How have government responses to pandemics evolved over time?
  • How does foreign aid impact the donor-recipient relationship?
  • How can governments leverage technology to improve public services?
  • How does cybersecurity impact national defense strategies?
  • How do international treaties impact national sovereignty?
  • How do political ideologies shape foreign policy?
  • How can governments promote sustainable urban development?
  • What is the role of youth in shaping future politics?
  • How does political stability affect economic growth?
  • How does political rhetoric shape public perception of immigration?

Extra Political Science Topics for Research Papers

Although the topics for political science research papers given above should help you kickstart your project, here are a few extra ideas to make sure you write an excellent project:

  • Green parties' influence on environmental sustainability.
  • Significance of political graffiti in social movements.
  • Virtual reality's potential in public engagement.
  • Role of cognitive psychology in voter behavior.
  • Understanding biopolitics: control and manipulation.
  • Space law's implications for international cooperation.
  • Implications of Internet of Things (IoT) for national security.
  • Analysis of language used in peace treaties.
  • Incorporating indigenous governance in modern state systems.
  • Decoding humor in political satire.
  • Political underpinnings in fantasy literature.
  • Political landscapes in virtual communities.
  • The politics of cryptocurrency regulation.
  • Using machine learning to predict election outcomes.
  • Role of street art in political protests.
  • Exploring the politics of veganism.
  • Political dimensions of genetic engineering ethics.
  • Pop culture's influence on political consciousness.
  • Influence of climate fiction ("cli-fi") on environmental policy.
  • Geopolitical consequences of the commercialization of space.

Bottom Line on Political Science Topics

We did our best to provide you with an assortment of good topics for political science research paper in every subdomain. Whether you're interested in philosophy, public law, international affairs, or something else entirely – this collection should have it all. We hope that at least one of these themes motivates you to do your best work yet! Remember that you can buy coursework or any other academic paper from certified writers with solid experience.

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies > Theses and Dissertations

Government and International Affairs Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Standing Her Ground: Legal Constraints on Women Who have been Victims of Violence , Janae E. Thomas

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Struggling Against the Odds: Social Movements in Pakistan During Authoritarian Regimes , Sajjad Hussain

The Domestic Reality of Foreign Policy: The 1994 Clinton Administration Response to the Crises in Rwanda and Haiti , Camara Kemanini Silver

American Military Service and Identity: From the Militia to the All-Volunteer Force , Andrew C. Sparks

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Decolonizing Human Trafficking: A Case Study of Human Trafficking in Edo State Nigeria , Oyinkansola Adepitan

Borges, el Escritor Italiano: Precursores Italianos en/desde Borges , Sara Boscagli

A Dangerous New Era: Analyzing the Impact of Cyber Technology on International Conflict , Kenneth Brown

Networks in the Norm Life Cycle and the Diffusion of Environmental Norms , James E. Fry

Power, Property Rights, and Political Development: A property rights theory of political development and its application to the study of development in Honduras and Costa Rica , Ricardo R. Noé

Bodily Harm: An Analysis of the Phenomenological and Linguistic Aspects of Harm and Trauma , Grant Samuel Peeler

Mystic Medicine: Afro-Jamaican Religio-Cultural Epistemology and the Decolonization of Health , Jake Wumkes

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Humanitarian Gaze and the Spectatorial Nature of Sympathy , Michelle Assaad

The Progressive Transformation of Medellín- Colombia: A Successful Case of Women's Political Agency , María Auxiliadora González-Malabet

Restoring International Justice: Exposing the Limitations of Retributive Justice and Proposing a Restorative Dimension , Nazek Jawad

Human Rights, Emotion, and Critical Realism: Proposing an Emotional Ontology of International Human Rights , Ben Luongo

When Faced with a Democracy: political socialization of first-generation ethnic Russian immigrants in Central and South Florida , Marina Seraphine Mendez

Structure of Turkey-USA Bilateral Relations and Analysis of Factors Affecting Bilateral Relations , Hanifi Ozkarakaya

Soviet Nationality Policy: Impact on Ethnic Conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia , Nevzat Torun

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Influence of The Armenian Diaspora on The American Foreign Policy , Fatih Aydogan

Discourse, Affinity and Attraction: A Case Study of Iran's Soft Power Strategy in Afghanistan , Hiva Feizi

Becoming Legitimate: How PMSCs are Seeking Legitimacy in the International System , Sommer Mitchell

De Mestizas a Indígenas: Reindigenization as a Political Strategy in Ecuador , Pamela X. Pareja

Star Power, Pandemics, and Politics: The Role of Cultural Elites in Global Health Security , Holly Lynne Swayne

Strategic Negligence: Why the United States Failed to Provide Military Support to the Syrian Resistance in 2011-2014 , Konrad J. Trautman

The Viability of Democratic Governance in De Facto States: A Comparative Case Study of Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria Rojava , Chelsea Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Cyber Deterrence against Cyberwar between the United States and China: A Power Transition Theory Perspective , Yavuz Akdag

The Role of Elites in the Formation of National Identities: The Case of Montenegro , Muhammed F. Erdem

Measuring Trust in Post-Communist States: Making the Case for Particularized Trust. , Nicole M. Ford

Hidden: A Case Study on Human Trafficking in Costa Rica , Timothy Adam Golob

Latino Subgroups Political Participation in American Politics: The Other Latinos’ Electoral Behavior , Angelica Maria Leon Velez

Re-ethnicization of Second Generation Non-Muslim Asian Indians in the U.S. , Radha Moorthy

Structural Racism: Racists without Racism in Liberal Institutions within Colorblind States , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Venezuela, from Charisma to Mimicry: The Rise and Fall of a Televised Political Drama , Rebecca Blackwell

Containment: A Failed American Foreign Policy and How the Truman Doctrine Led to the Rise in Islamic Extremism in the Muslim World , Christopher Jonathan Gerber

The Role of Religion in Mitigating Cancer Disparities Among Black Americans , Samar Hennawi

Where is the Survivor’s Voice? An Examination of the Individual and Structural Challenges to the Reintegration of Immigrant Human Trafficking Survivors , Michelle Cristina Angelo Dantas Rocha

Changes and Challenges in Diplomacy: An Evaluation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Dominican Republic , Yudelka Santana

How Presidents Can Become "Hip" by Using High Definition Metaphors Strategic Communication of Leadership in a Digital Age , Mirela Camelia Stimus

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

At the Intersection of Human Agency and Technology: Genetically Modified Organisms , James Libengood

The Triumvirate of Intersectionality: a Case Study on the Mobilization of Domésticas in Brazil , Kristen Lei Nash

Strategic Missile Defense: Russian and U.S. Policies and Their Effects on Future Weapons Proliferation , Diana Marie Nesbitt

Staring Down the Mukhabarat: Rhizomatic Social Movements and the Egyptian and Syrian Arab Spring , Stephen Michael Strenges

The Effect of Neoliberalism on Capabilities: Evaluating the Case of Mexico , James Paul Walker

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Human Trafficking from Southern Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala: Why These Victims are Trafficked into Modern Day Florida , Timothy Adam Golob

The Effects of U.S. Middle East Foreign Policy on American Muslims: A Case Study of Muslims in Tampa Bay , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

Does Revolution Breed Radicalism? An Analysis of the Stalled Revolution in Syria and the Radical Forces Since Unleashed , Ryan King Little

The United States Prison System: A Comparative Analysis , Rachel O'connor

Fair Trade in Transition: Evolution, Popular Discourse, and the Case of the CADO Cooperative in Cotopaxi, Ecuador , Robyn Michelle Odegard

Challenging the Democratic Peace Theory - The Role of US-China Relationship , Toni Ann Pazienza

Continuation in US Foreign Policy: An Offensive Realist Perspective , Bledar Prifti

The Syrian Civil War: Four Concentric Forces of Tensions , Majid Rafizadeh

Key Ingredients in the Rule of Law Recipe: The Role of Judicial Independence in the Effective Establishment of the Rule of Law , Lauren A. Shumate

Leges, Plebiscita, et Rogationes: Democratization and Legislative Action, 494 - 88 BC , Eric Wolters

An Analysis of State Building: The Relationship between Pashtun 'Para-State' Institutions and Political Instability in Afghanistan , Rebecca Young Greven

Accessibility's Influence on Population Location near Light Rail in the Denver Region , Christophe Michael Zuppa

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

A Comparative Study: How Educational and Healthcare Preparedness Affected Marketization of the Chinese and Indian Economies , Cindy Arjoon

Accidental Detention: A Threat to the Legitimacy of Venezuelan Democracy , Mabel Gabriela Durán-Sánchez

European Union Institutions, Democratic Discourse, and the Color Revolutions , Lizette G. Howard

The End of Anarchy: Weapons of Mass Destruction and the States System , Gregory Edward Johnson

Trends in the Contracting out of Local Government Services , Cristiane Carvalho Keetch

Framing Colombian Women's Beliefs, Values and Attitude Towards Sex and Sexual High-Risk Behaviors , Rosa Ore

Impacts of U.S. Foreign Policy and Intervention on Guatemala: Mid-20th Century , Patricia M. Plantamura

Maximizing Citizenship with Minimal Representation: An Analysis of Afro-Argentine Civil Society Organizing Strategies , Prisca Suarez

From Zaire to the DRC: A Case Study of State Failure , Adam Zachariah Trautman

Guanxi, Networks and Economic Development: The Impact of Cultural Connections , Patricia Anne Weeks

Comparative Political Corruption in the United States: The Florida Perspective , Andrew Jonathon Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Modernization From Above: Social Mobilization, Political Institutionalization and Instability: A Case Study of Iran (1953-1979) , Jeffrey Robert Cobb

The Relationship between the Social Construction of Race and the Black/White Test Score Gap in , Toriano M. Dempsey

The Causes and Effects of Get Tough: A Look at How Tough-on-Crime Policies Rose to the Agenda and an Examination of Their Effects on Prison Populations and Crime , Cheyenne Morales Harty

Hegemonic Rivalry in the Maghreb: Algeria and Morocco in the Western Sahara Conflict , Michael D. Jacobs

The Politics of Pentecostalism; Does it Help or Hinder Democratic Consolidation in Brazil? , Amber S. Johansen

Women's Political Representation in Europe: An Analysis of Structural and Attitudinal Factors , Jenna Elaine Mcculloch

Examining the Relationship between Participatory Democracy and Nonwhite Domestic Workers in Porto Alegre, Brazil: Issues of Race, Class and Privilege , Alexis Nicole Mootoo

The Indigenous Movement and the Struggle for Political Representation in Bolivia , Angelica T. Nieves

MAS and the Indigenous People of Bolivia , Maral Shoaei

Cyberwar and International Law: An English School Perspective , Anthony F. Sinopoli

The Homegrown Jihad: A Comparative Study of Youth Radicalization in the United States and Europe , William Wolfberg

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The State and the Legalization of Dual Citizenship/Dual Nationality: A Case Study of Mexico and the Philippines , Pamela Kim Anderson

The Integration of African Muslim Minority: A Critique of French Philosophy and Policy , Amber Nichole Dillender

Elections and Tensions and Constitutions! Oh, My! A Process-Oriented Analysis of Bolivian Democratization from 1993 to 2009 , Laurel Kristin Dwyer

Cuban Medical Internationalism: A Case for International Solidarity in Foreign Policy Decision Making , Eric James Fiske

The Threat to Democracy in Brazil's Public Sphere , Daniel Nettuno

Prospects for Political Reform in China , Jody Lee Tomlin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Positive- and Negative-Right Conceptions of Freedom of Speech and the Specter of Reimposing the Broadcast Fairness Doctrine ... or Something Like It , Adam Fowler

The Christian Zionist Lobby and U.S.-Israel Policy , Mark G. Grzegorzewski

An Analysis of U.S. Policies Targeting the Iranian Nuclear Program , Bryan T. Hamilton

Religion and Resistance: The Role of Islamic Doctrine in Hamas and Hezbollah , Matthew Lawson

Prospects for Nuclear Non-Proliferation: An Actor-Oriented Case Study of Iran’s Future , James Martin Lockwood

Impact of Globalization on Socio-Economic and Political Development of the Central Asian Countries , Karina Orozalieva

Mubarak’s Machine: The Durability of the Authoritarian Regime in Egypt , Andrea M. Perkins

International Society Cosmopolitan Politics and World Society , Kimberly Weaver

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

From China to Cuba: Guerilla Warfare as a Mechanism for Mobilizing Resources , Jorge Barrera

Neoliberalism and Dependence: A Case Study of The Orphan Care Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa , Christine Concetta Gibson

City Level Development New Key to Successful Development , Gina Herron

The neoconservative war on modernity: The Bush Doctrine and its resistance to legitimation , Ben Luongo

The Security and Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: An Offensive Realism Perspective , Bledar Prifti

Transdiscursive cosmopolitanism: Foucauldian freedom, subjectivity, and the power of resistance , Joanna Rozpedowski

Making and Keeping the Peace: An Analysis of African Union Efficacy , Nicholas Temple

Social Implications of Fair Trade Coffee in Chiapas, Mexico: Toward Alternative Economic Integration , Joseph J. Torok

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Role of Culture in Economic Development: China Study of China and Latin America , Amira Fellner

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The Center for American Political Studies Dissertation Research Fellowships on the Study of the American Republic are made possible by a generous challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and matched by generous Harvard University Alumni. Eligible applications must contain dissertation topics with a direct engagement with the history, principles, and politics of the American Republic. These fellowships are inclusive to students inside the field of political science, as well as History, English and American Literature, Philosophy, American Civilization, Sociology, Economics, Anthropology, and others, whose presence would enrich the collective discussion of enduring political, historical and philosophical themes of the American Republic. Relevant themes include (but are not restricted to) the politics, history and philosophy of the American Founding and the Early Republic, the political philosophy of republicanism (particularly as applied to the United States), the Civil War and its legacies, the politics of slavery and abolition, and political institutions in the United States.

Dissertation Research Fellowships will be awarded for academic year 2020-2021. Dissertation Research Fellowships provide a monthly stipend (one term) in an amount set annually by GSAS, and are awarded in either the Fall or Spring term, depending on the Fellow’s preference. Fellowship winners will be expected to share their work at CAPS-sponsored occasions during the award year.

Eligibility, Terms, and Conditions: Any Harvard Ph.D. candidate in the above-mentioned graduate programs may apply if he or she is doing a dissertation about some aspect of the American Republic. Comparisons across nations are eligible if the study of the American Republic is the major focus of the project. Projects in normative political theory are also eligible, provided that empirical patterns are a major aspect of the study. The specific guidelines for the research and completion fellowships are below.

Guidelines for the CAPS Dissertation Research Fellowship on the American Republic: ▪ Completion of all departmental requirements and an approved dissertation prospectus before the start of academic year 2020-2021. A fellowship designee will forfeit the award if the prospectus has not been approved by July 1, 2020. ▪ Any student entering year G-5 and below may apply for a research fellowship. ▪ Students who apply for a research fellowship may not simultaneously apply to other centers for a completion fellowship. ▪ Research fellowship winners may do a small amount of teaching/thesis advising equivalent to .10 or less while taking their stipend, but such supplementary work must not conflict with the Ph.D. research plan and CAPS must be consulted prior to acceptance. Questions about these guidelines may be sent to [email protected] .  Application Procedures and Schedule: Applications must be submitted Friday, February 7, 2020 via CARAT application. No hard copy is required. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.

Application Requirements:

  • A signed cover letter with the following information: a one-paragraph synopsis of your dissertation research; the names of two recommenders; your planned teaching responsibilities during the fellowship term; and any other information you consider pertinent.
  • Statement of purpose (two to four pages, double spaced) clearly describing the dissertation topic’s direct engagement with the history, principles, and politics of the American Republic. There should be a brief indication of your progress to date and timetable for completion.
  • A bibliography identifying major primary and secondary sources.
  • Current resume, not to exceed two pages.
  • Current transcript.
  • Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the dissertation advisor. CARAT will generate a request to your recommenders once you input their information.The deadline for letters of recommendation is Friday, February 7, 2020.
  • Written confirmation from your graduate program coordinator stating that your prospectus was approved or, if your prospectus has not been approved, the anticipated date of approval.

Former CAPS Dissertation Fellows: 2022-23: Matthew Brooke 2016-17: Ekedi Mpondo-Dika 2015-16: Carly Knight 2014-15: Beth Truesdale 2013-14: Jeremy Levine 2012-13: Deirdre Bloome 2009-10: Corina Graif 2008-09: Christopher Bail 2007-08: Charles Loeffler

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DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

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American Political Economy

American Political Economy (APE) is an emerging subfield of political science that examines the interplay between politics and markets in the United States.  Motivated by real-world problems, whose understanding typically requires examining issues from multiple institutional and behavioral vantage points, the study of APE is methodologically eclectic.

APE at Northwestern is distinctive for its emphasis on:

  • Historical and developmental processes
  • Relationship between race, ethnicity, and gender and public policy
  • The political power of organized actors, including political parties and interest groups
  • Comparative and international analyses of the American political economy

Topics of central concern include, but are not limited to:

  • Policymaking institutions
  • Labor politics and policy
  • Organizing, collective action, and social movements
  • Politics of credit, debt, and financial regulation
  • Wealth and influence
  • Fiscal policy
  • Information and expertise
  • Inequality and social policy
  • U.S. foreign policy

APE scholars at Northwestern have ties to the national Consortium on the American Political Economy and APSA’s new American Political Economy organized section.

Within the Northwestern Political Science Department, research on APE intersects with other subfields including American Political Development , Comparative-Historical Analysis , Law and Politics , Political Parties , and Race, Ethnicity, and Politics . Across the university, APE scholarship is featured in several kindred departments and programs, including Black Studies , History , the Institute for Policy Research , Kellogg School of Management , Legal Studies , Northwestern Law School , and Sociology .

In addition to the political science faculty listed below, our APE group includes Alexander Furnas (Kellogg), Joanna Grisinger (Legal Studies), Ajay Mehrotra (Law School), and Ann Shola Orloff (Sociology).

In political science, APE scholars include:

Daniel J. Galvin

Department of English

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Terekhov, Jessica (September 2022) -- "On Wit in Relation to Self-Division"

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Mahoney, Cate (June 2020) – “Go on Your Nerve: Confidence in American Poetry, 1860-1960”

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Williamson, Andrew (June 2019) – “Nothing to Say:  Silence in Modernist American Poetry”

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Green, Elspeth (January 2019) – “Popular Science and Modernist Poetry”

Braun, Daniel (January 2019) – Kinds of Wrong: The Liberalization of Modern Poetry 1910-1960”

Rosen, Rebecca (November 2018) – “Making the body Speak: Anatomy, Autopsy and Testimony in Early America, 1639-1790”

Blank, Daniel (November 2018) – Shakespeare and the Spectacle of University Drama”

Case, Sarah (September 2018) – Increase of Issue: Poetry and Succession in Elizabethan England”

Kucik, Emanuela  (June 2018) – “Black Genocides and the Visibility Paradox in Post-Holocaust African American and African Literature”

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Padilla, Javier  (September 2017) – “Modernist Poetry and the Poetics of Temporality:  Between Modernity and Coloniality”

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Glover, Eric (May 2017) – "By and About:  An Antiracist History of the Musicals and the Antimusicals of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston"

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Dauber, Maayan (March 2015) – "The Pathos of Modernism: Henry James, Virginia Woolf, and Gertrude Stein (with a coda on J.M. Coetzee)”

Hostetter, Lyra (March 2015) – “Novel Errantry: An Annotated Edition of Horatio, of Holstein (1800)”

Sanford, Beatrice (January 2015) – “Love’s Perception: Nineteenth-Century Aesthetics of Attachment”

Chong, Kenneth (January 2015) – “Potential Theologies: Scholasticism and Middle English Literature”

Worsley, Amelia (September 2014) – “The Poetry of Loneliness from Romance to Romanticism”

Hurtado, Jules (June 2014) – “The Pornographer at the Crossroads: Sex, Realism and Experiment in the Contemporary English Novel”

Rutherford, James (June 2014) – "Irrational Actors: Literature and Logic in Early Modern England”

Wilde, Lisa (June 2014) – “English Numeracy and the Writing of New Worlds, 1543-1622”

Hyde, Emily (November 2013) – “A Way of Seeing: Modernism, Illustration, and Postcolonial Literature”

Ortiz, Ivan (September 2013) – “Romanticism and the Aesthetics of Modern Transport”

Aronowicz, Yaron (September 2013) – “Fascinated Moderns: The Attentions of Modern Fiction”

Wythoff, Grant (September 2013) – “Gadgetry: New Media and the Fictional Imagination”

Ramachandran, Anitha (September 2013) – "Recovering Global Women’s Travel Writings from the Modern Period: An Inquiry Into Genre and Narrative Agency”

Reuland, John (April 2013) – “The Self Unenclosed: A New Literary History of Pragmatism, 1890-1940”

Wasserman, Sarah (January 2013) – “Material Losses: Urban Ephemera in Contemporary American Literature and Culture”

Kastner, Tal (November 2012) – "The Boilerplate of Everything and the Ideal of Agreement in American Law and Literature"

Labella, John (October 2012) – "Lyric Hemisphere: Latin America in United States Poetry, 1927-1981"

Kindley, Evan (September 2012) – "Critics and Connoisseurs: Poet-Critics and the Administration of Modernism"

Smith, Ellen (September 2012) – "Writing Native: The Aboriginal in Australian Cultural Nationalism 1927-1945"

Werlin, Julianne (September 2012) – "The Impossible Probable: Modeling Utopia in Early Modern England"

Posmentier, Sonya (May 2012) – "Cultivation and Catastrophe:  Forms of Nature in Twentieth-Century Poetry of the Black Diaspora"

Alfano, Veronica (September 2011) – “The Lyric in Victorian Memory”

Foltz, Jonathan (September 2011) – “Modernism and the Narrative Cultures of Film”

Coghlan, J. Michelle (September 2011) – “Revolution’s Afterlife; The Paris Commune in American Cultural Memory, 1871-1933”

Christoff, Alicia (September 2011) – “Novel Feeling”

Shin, Jacqueline (August 2011) – “Picturing Repose: Between the Acts of British Modernism”

Ebrahim, Parween (August 2011) – “Outcasts and Inheritors: The Ishmael Ethos in American Culture, 1776-1917”

Reckson, Lindsay (August 2011) – “Realist Ecstasy: Enthusiasm in American Literature 1886 - 1938"

Londe, Gregory (June 2011) – “Enduring Modernism: Forms of Surviving Location in the 20th Century Long Poem”

Brown, Adrienne (June 2011) – “Reading Between the Skylines: The Skyscraper in American Modernism”

Russell, David (June 2011) – “A Literary History of Tact: Sociability, Aesthetic Liberalism and the Essay Form in Nineteenth-Century Britain”

Hostetter, Aaron (December 2010) – "The Politics of Eating and Cooking in Medieval English Romance"

Moshenska, Joseph (November 2010) – " 'Feeling Pleasures': The Sense of Touch in Renaissance England"

Walker, Casey (September 2010) – "The City Inside: Intimacy and Urbanity in Henry James, Marcel Proust and Virginia Woolf"

Rackin, Ethel (August 2010) – "Ornamentation and Essence in Modernist Poetry"

Noble, Mary (August 2010) – "Primitive Marriage: Anthropology and Nineteenth-Century Fiction"

Fox, Renee (August 2010) – "Necromantic Victorians: Reanimation, History and the Politics of Literary Innovation, 1868-1903"

Hopper, Briallen (June 2010) – “Feeling Right in American Reform Culture”

Lee, Wendy (June 2010) -- "Failures of Feeling in the British Novel from Richardson to Eliot"

Moyer, James (March 2010) – "The Passion of Abolitionism: How Slave Martyrdom Obscures Slave Labor”

Forbes, Erin (September 2009) – “Genius of Deep Crime:  Literature, Enslavement and the American Criminal”

Crawforth, Hannah (September 2009) – “The Politics and Poetics of Etymology in Early Modern Literature”

Elliott, Danielle (April 2009) – "Sea of Bones: The Middle Passage in Contemporary Poetry of the Black Atlantic”

Yu, Wesley (April 2009) – “Romance Logic: The Argument of Vernacular Verse in the Scholastic Middle Ages”

Cervantes, Gabriel (April 2009) – "Genres of Correction: Anglophone Literature and the Colonial Turn in Penal Law 1722-1804”

Rosinberg, Erwin (January 2009) – "A Further Conjunction: The Couple and Its Worlds in Modern British Fiction”

Walsh, Keri (January 2009) – "Antigone in Modernism: Classicism, Feminism, and Theatres of Protest”

Heald, Abigail (January 2009) – “Tears for Dido: A Renaissance Poetics of Feeling”

Bellin, Roger (January 2009) – "Argument: The American Transcendentalists and Disputatious Reason”

Ellis, Nadia (November 2008) – "Colonial Affections: Formulations of Intimacy Between England and the Caribbean, 1930-1963”

Baskin, Jason (November 2008) – “Embodying Experience: Romanticism and Social Life in the Twentieth Century”

Barrett, Jennifer-Kate (September 2008) – “ ‘So Written to Aftertimes’: Renaissance England’s Poetics of Futurity”

Moss, Daniel (September 2008) – “Renaissance Ovids: The Metamorphosis of Allusion in Late Elizabethan England”

Rainof, Rebecca (September 2008) – “Purgatory and Fictions of Maturity: From Newman to Woolf”

Darznik, Jasmin (November 2007) – “Writing Outside the Veil: Literature by Women of the Iranian Diaspora”

Bugg, John (September 2007) – “Gagging Acts: The Trials of British Romanticism”

Matson, John (September 2007) – “Marking Twain: Mechanized Composition and Medial Subjectivity in the Twain Era”

Neel, Alexandra (September 2007) – “The Writing of Ice: The Literature and Photography of Polar Regions”

Smith-Browne, Stephanie (September 2007) – “Gothic and the Pacific Voyage: Patriotism, Romance and Savagery in South Seas Travels and the Utopia of the Terra Australis”

Bystrom, Kerry (June 2007) – “Orphans and Origins: Family, Memory, and Nation in Argentina and South Africa”

Ards, Angela (June 2007) – “Affirmative Acts: Political Piety in African American Women’s Contemporary Autobiography”

Cragwall, Jasper (June 2007) – “Lake Methodism”

Ball, David (June 2007) – “False Starts: The Rhetoric of Failure and the Making of American Modernism, 1850-1950”

Ramdass, Harold (June 2007) – “Miswriting Tragedy: Genealogy, History and Orthography in the Canterbury Tales, Fragment I”

Lilley, James (June 2007) – “Common Things: Transatlantic Romance and the Aesthetics of Belonging, 1764-1840”

Noble, Mary (March 2007) – “Primitive Marriage: Anthropology and Nineteenth-Century Fiction”

Passannante, Gerard (January 2007) – “The Lucretian Renaissance: Ancient Poetry and Humanism in an Age of Science”

Tessone, Natasha (November 2006) – “The Fiction of Inheritance: Familial, Cultural, and National Legacies in the Irish and Scottish Novel”

Horrocks, Ingrid (September 2006) – “Reluctant Wanderers, Mobile Feelings: Moving Figures in Eighteenth-Century Literature”

Bender, Abby (June 2006) – “Out of Egypt and into bondage: Exodus in the Irish National Imagination”

Johnson, Hannah (June 2006) – “The Medieval Limit: Historiography, Ethics, Culture”

Horowitz, Evan (January 2006) – “The Writing of Modern Life”

White, Gillian (November 2005) – “ ‘We Do Not Say Ourselves Like That in Poems’: The Poetics of Contingency in Wallace Stevens and Elizabeth Bishop

Baudot, Laura (September 2005) – “Looking at Nothing: Literary Vacuity in the Long Eighteenth Century”

Hicks, Kevin (September 2005) – “Acts of Recovery: American Antebellum Fictions”

Stern, Kimberly (September 2005) – “The Victorian Sibyl: Women Reviewers and the Reinvention of Critical Tradition”

Nardi, Steven (May 2005) – “Automatic Aesthetics: Race, Technology, and Poetics in the Harlem Renaissance and American New Poetry”

Sayeau, Michael (May 2005) – “Everyday: Literature, Modernity, and Time”

Cooper, Lawrence (April 2005) – “Gothic Realities: The Emergence of Cultural Forms Through Representations of the Unreal”

Betjemann, Peter (November 2004) – “Talking Shop: Craft and Design in Hawthorne, James, and Wharton”

Forbes, Aileen (November 2004) – “Passion Play: Theaters of Romantic Emotion”

Keeley, Howard (November 2004) – “Beyond Big House and Cabin: Dwelling Politically in Modern Irish Literature”

Machlan, Elizabeth (November 2004) – “Panic Rooms: Architecture and Anxiety in New York Stories from 1900 to 9/11”

McDowell, Demetrius (November 2004) – “Hawthorne, James, and the Pressures of the Literary Marketplace”

Waldron, Jennifer (November 2004) – “Eloquence of the Body: Aesthetics, Theology, and English Renaissance Theater”

381 American Politics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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  • Barack Obama as a Transformational Leader In this instance, Barack Obama’s approach was that of a transformational leader: he urged the American citizens to desire change and take measures towards achieving the transformation.
  • George Washington and Abraham Lincoln: Similarities and Differences George Washington and Abraham Lincoln appear to be the most prominent personalities in the entire history of the United States. Considering the fact that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln lived in different historical periods, it […]
  • George Washington: Life and Achievements His role in the French and Indian War was significant, as he was a commander of the Virginia Regiment, raised to oppose the French in the Ohio Valley.
  • “The Atlanta Compromise Speech” by Booker T. Washington The idea was that if it became clear to the whites that the black community was ready to contribute to national and global development, the barriers of social inequity and racial injustice would gradually diminish.
  • Barack Obama’s Charismatic Leadership In Obama’s Case, the sparkle and invisible energy as defined by Rao pushed him to the presidency and continues allowing him some loyal following albeit the fact that some are being disappointed by the slow […]
  • “Farewell Address” by George Washington The significant aspect of the president’s speech was the value of unity, loyalty to party over the nation, and the danger of foreign entanglements.
  • The “Obama’s Deal” Documentary Reflection The world was not privy to the level of lobbying that happened behind the scenes, and the cost to his popularity, bipartisan ideals, and open government.
  • The Life of George Washington Truett Due to the strong conviction of the church leadership and its congregation, he was persuaded to become a minister in 1890.
  • Blackstone’s Influence on American Political Philosophy This collection of comments and discussions highlighted the role of the citizen in the country and greatly influenced the formation of the American ideas of the common law.
  • Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson Comparison The two presidents managed to contribute to the development of the country in different ways. However, both of them managed to contribute greatly to the development of the USA and its empowerment.
  • Natural and Revealed Law: American Political Philosophy While its roots go back to Ancient Greece and Rome, natural law has remained a part of modern history.[1] In particular, the rise of Christianity contributed to the evolution of natural and revealed law and […]
  • The Challenges of Racism Influential for the Life of Frederick Douglass and Barack Obama However, Douglass became an influential anti-slavery and human rights activist because in the early childhood he learnt the power of education to fight inequality with the help of his literary and public speaking skills to […]
  • Franklin Roosevelt and Veto Power In the United States, and as per the constitution, every bill passed by the House of Representatives is given to the president for assent.
  • Rhetorical Theory Applied to Michelle Obama’s Speech The next step was the discussion of the candidate’s history, her skills, and the nature of the election. In conclusion, this rhetorical analysis reveals the strengths and weaknesses of Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic […]
  • President Obama’s Inaugural Speech Analysis In his speech, Obama was seen to take advantage of the significance of that moment to address the Americans’ main concerns.
  • Donald Trump: Theory X and Autocratic Decision-Style Methods He has managed to maintain success using this style of headship in the real estate business in America and across the world.
  • The American Political System Of course, there are some controversies, but it is possible to note that the political system of the country does work.
  • The Reagan-Bush Years: 1981-1993 The 1980s would not be considered a Go-Go economy as there was significant instability in the earlier years of the decade with the adoption of Reaganomics.
  • Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Oppression Donald Trump, the current President of the United States of America, is planning to run again in the 2020 election with the same platform and will likely become the Republican nominee.
  • Franklin Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler: Leaders Ways This paper aims to reveal the cause of the problems faced by the United States and Germany as identified by their leaders in inaugural speeches and the ways Roosevelt and Hitler were planning to solve […]
  • Political Institutions Comparison: USA, UK and France In UK, the prime minister is elected into office through the house of the commons. In conclusion, France is the most interesting system of government due to its ceremonial prime minister and does not have […]
  • Four Freedoms by President Roosevelt Throughout the discussion we shall elaborate the four freedoms in a broader way for better understating; we shall also describe the several measures that were put in place in order to ensure the four freedoms […]
  • Is Barrack Obama Like Hitler? According to his book, Obama on the other hand recognizes and desires to change the problems in the American functional government and state of politics. This has generated a lot of criticism and the continued […]
  • George Washington’s Achievements and Farewell Address Washington was a successful leader because he promoted democracy, led the country through the revolutionary war, and achieved most of the goals which he had promised the people.
  • Barack Obama’s Family History Payne, on the other hand, was born in the year 1922 in Wichita, Kansas and she died 86 years later on November 3, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Role of Politics in American Society The president, the congress, and the Judiciary share power reserved to the national government while the federal governments share powers with the state government.
  • Clinton’s Plan and Obamacare: Healthcare Policy In September 1993, the president gave a major speech on health care in the US Congress, where he introduced the parts of the healthcare reform, including a mandate for employers, which forced them to cover […]
  • Bush Tax Cuts Debate Calls to end the federal tax cuts are majorly spearheaded by the democrats because they are of the opinion that the tax cuts majorly favor the rich and consequently lead to the growth of the […]
  • Biden’s 2023 State of the Union Address Analysis It is good that Biden highlighted the achievements of his administration, which included the lowest unemployment rate in history and efforts to minimize the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis.
  • Political Culture of American Government This type of political culture influenced the German government’s hesitation because they did not want to spoil the relationship with the Russian government.
  • “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” by Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton’s speech about women’s rights effectively convinces her audience that women rights are an indispensable part of human rights through the use of logical argument, repetition, historical facts, and emotional stories.
  • Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan The changes essentially affect the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that allows federal student loan borrowers to receive payment credits. As part of the plan, Biden paused the extension of loan repayment.
  • Obama Had Authority to Order Operation Geronimo The public opinion of the US citizens supported the president and military force actions because of the ongoing conflict between the USA and Al-Qaeda.
  • Editorial on Donald Trump in 2024 Presidential Race This is a liberal view as the editors feel that the president will reverse some of the gains made towards creating a society where everyone feels entitled to the benefits that the nation has to […]
  • Washington’s Farewell Speech Analysis With the help of James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, Washington composed a letter in Philadelphia in what later became described as the “Farewell Address”.
  • Donald Trump’s Election Campaign for 2024 A few days after the results of the midterm elections for the U.S. According to Trump, his rivals suspended the counting of votes in important states of the country in order to get additional ballots […]
  • The Port Huron Statement: American Political System The manifesto was written in historically difficult times for the United States, which fell on the aggravation of relations with the USSR, the beginning of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the development of […]
  • The Role of Japan in Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework This paper addresses the challenges that led to the framework’s creation, the IPEF’s four pillars, and the participation of the other nations in the region.
  • The American Political Campaigns: Major Historical Eras A breakdown of the remaining three eras, how congressional candidates can capitalize on campaign laws, the primary factors in a congressional campaign, and the role of media in driving the public’s understanding of candidates for […]
  • Joe Biden’s First Two Years in Office The outcome of the midterm elections for the US Congress, where the Republicans received a majority of the votes, is evidence that Biden did not act quickly enough to address the issues arising in society.
  • Rhetoric in Obama’s 2008 Speech on Racism When the audience became excited, it was Obama’s responsibility to convey his message in a more accessible form. To conclude, Obama’s speech in 2008 facilitated his election as the first African American President in history.
  • Barak Obama and Donald Trump: Communication Styles Nonetheless, it is essential to determine which of the factors play a decisive role by comparing the communication styles of Barak Obama and Donald Trump, examining the examples of their debates and speeches across their […]
  • Barack Obama’s Biography and Political Leadership The main reason why many see him as an inspiration is that he was the first person of color to hold the office of president, but there is so much more to him and what […]
  • Donald Trump: The Law Violations The former president of the US, Donald Trump, has been the subject of heated political and legal discussions due to the numerous charges he faces because of violating the law on several accounts.
  • Foreign Policy of the Clinton Administration The foreign policy strategies of Clinton and Bush Jr.differed significantly. In contrast, Bush Jr.was focused on isolation and confrontation with the principles of globalization.
  • President Obama’s Justification for Killing bin Laden In Schlag’s opinion, the secrecy of lawyers in working on the legal actions surrounding the plot of Bin Laden’s death raised concerns regarding the justification of his killing.
  • Requesting a Warrant for Trump’s Home Search In his opinion piece for KCRA, Alanna Durkin observes that a checklist of stringent conditions governs the procedure of getting a search warrant. Durkin notes that the court could have only authorized the request if […]
  • Conservatism in the Clinton and Obama Administrations Thus, the Clinton and Obama administrations have examples of how the presidents challenged the rise of conservatism and were considered the continuation of it simultaneously.
  • Biden’s Student Loan Dilemma by Barbaro & Cowley The podcast Biden’s Student Loan Dilemma by Michael Barbaro and Stacy Cowley examines the state of student debt loans in the U.S.
  • Joe Biden’s Inaction on the Need to Eliminate Existing Tariffs The main effect of this decision was retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural imports to China, which led to a decrease in the export of soybeans.
  • Trump’s Trade Dump: Agreement With China According to detractors, it is the sort of management trade policy that the U.S.has long opposed, particularly about China and its economic control.
  • Women in the USA: The Emergence of Political Power The role of factors determining the status of American women in the state and society and the degree of influence of women themselves on the development of state policy in general and concerning the female […]
  • George W. Bush’s Inaugural Speech It is rather interesting that, in the text, Bush says that “the best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world”. This text also helps to think about […]
  • Black Lives Matter and Trump’s Use of Secret Police He has tried to hide the truth and the police brutality that took Floyd’s life, just as it endangered the lives of other black Americans.
  • Trump Tells Story About Killing Terrorists With Bullets Dipped in Pigs’ Blood The text reflects on Donald Trump’s recollection of the myth that terrorists were killed before the bullets used were dipped in pig blood.
  • President Biden’s State of the Union Address in 2022 The measures taken to date will help reduce the share of unresolved problems and give some impetus to the development of the well-being of America and its citizens.
  • Michele Obama’s Speech: A Rhetorical Analysis The main message of the First Lady was to draw attention to the suppression of the advertising of unhealthy food to minors.
  • Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Ideas The decision to promote progressive ideas was not spontaneous, and he saw the movement as the possibility to protect the real rule of humans.
  • George Washington’s Farewell Address He considered the most important element of the success of the state and society to be the preservation and promotion of peaceful coexistence with all forces.
  • Rhetorical Analysis: Logos and Pathos in Trump’s Truth In the third chapter, “The Truth Is the Greatest Enemy of the State,” attention is paid to Trump’s speeches and promises.
  • 1968: The Turning Point in American Politics and Society Over the years of existence in the modern United States, there have been numerous iterations of the party systems and political structures in the attempts to address the differences between Democrats and Conservatives.
  • The Speech About the Assassination of Osama bin Laden by Barack Obama To conclude, we can consider this speech as a good example of weighted but at the same time pompous and threatening speech regarding the issue of national security.
  • President Obama’s Inaugural Address in 2009 First, the inclusion of certain phonological elements such as alliteration, consonance, and assonance works to beautify the language, which causes it to resonate with the listener.’Pounded the pavement’ or ‘picked up the phones’ is an […]
  • Michelle Obama’s Tuskegee University Commencement Speech The commencement speech of Michelle Obama at the Tuskegee University primarily focused on the continuing and detrimental effects of racism, but even more improtantly on the concept of a post-racial America.
  • Progressive Ideology by President Roosevelt In addition, the key role of the progressive lies in addressing the problems of the other, for which reason they are to remain enthusiastic and inspiring under any circumstances.
  • Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in Hillary Clinton’s Speech Looking at the example of the Clinton speech, her address focuses on the rights of women and the need to protect them.
  • Biden’s Push to Increase Tax on the Rich From New York Times The major reason for this news is Biden’s will to increase taxes for the rich to fund his plan of reshaping the economy.
  • Biden Ends Workplace Immigration Raids, Reversing Trump Policy Firstly, the announcement will contribute immensely towards the integrity of most employers in the sense that it is going to push employers to pursue only documented immigrants for labor without putting excessive pressure on the […]
  • George Washington’s and John Adams’s Policies George Washington is the first popularly elected President of the United States of America, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, a participant in the War of Independence, and the founder of the American institution of the […]
  • The COVID-19 Bill Proposal by President Biden As the standing committees to introduce the bill to, the budget committees of the House and the Senate will be involved.
  • The Actions of Roosevelt During the New Deal The period from 1929 to 1941, including the Great Depression and the New Deal, is undoubtedly one of the most important in American history.
  • Watergate – American Biggest Political Scandal In an attempt to do so, participants of Nixon’s Committee to Re-Elect the President broke into Watergate headquarters of the Democratic National Committee.
  • “Industrial Education for the Negro” by B. T. Washington In the article, the author insists on the introduction of industrial education to the curriculums of all black students to ensure that they understand the value of labor.
  • Academic Reforms of George W. Bush The development and establishment of the Every Student Succeed Act, is an attribute of Bush’s education reforms from his initiative to provide every child with the right to education in his bipartisan act of No […]
  • What Explains the Increased Use of Drones Under The Obama Administration in Pakistan The C.I.A.holds the responsibility for the Drone attacks in Pakistan.”The C.I.A.began using drones in Pakistan in 2004, even though the United States was not engaged in a war with that country.
  • Washington vs. Texas Court Case No. 649: Issue, Facts, and Summary Still, the court authorities denied him a request to listen and consider the testimony of a witness or an accomplice, because of which the court’s verdict turned in the opposite direction.
  • Booker T. Washington’s Position Regarding the Black Problem Washington saw the main goal of education in the social and cultural teaching of African Americans, thanks to the emphasis on the acquisition of technical skills.
  • Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Exposition Speech The appeal to the white population was based on a call to reduce pressure on African Americans to build a socially equal society.
  • W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington on African American Education The effects of racial discrimination and the resulting segregation echoed in every area in the late 19th and early 20th century, causing the debate concerning the need for integrated schools to become rather polarizing even […]
  • Biden’s Stimulus Package: Impact on Society The new legislation will also provide direct payments to individuals through the US, and this is the second reason why I support it strongly.
  • American Wars and American Political Development In his article “Wars and American Politics,” David Mayhew argues that there were at least five major wars faced by the US which determined its fate as a progressive state: the War of 1812, the […]
  • Text Analysis of Trump’s Tweets Besides, the Network has a system of comments on the posts of politicians, which can also help to understand the mood of the public.
  • American Political Thought in the Pre-Revolutionary Period Hence, the Enlightenment and Great Awakening played a central role in shaping the colonists’ ways of thinking, which significantly changed the way that the residents of North American colonies regarded the authorities.
  • President Obama’s and Sen. Cruz’s Hanukkah Greetings The speeches reveal that upholding the celebration is an important event in commemorating the justice of redemption of Jerusalem and rededication of the second temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt.
  • President Roosevelt’s New Deal in Tennessee The United States was in the middle of the Great Depression when Roosevelt was elected. In conclusion, the election of Roosevelt seemed like a solution to the impacts of the Great Depression.
  • The Washington Consensus and 21st-Century Socialism The relation between market trade and the involvement of the state from one of the primary aspects upon which such models are compared. Both policies demonstrate particular differences in the context of the balance between […]
  • Barack Obama Policies in Healthcare: Ethical and Unethical Behavior The United State should not have health care reform when members are working but it has to support every child and provide him/her with quality healthcare services.
  • Obama’s Health Care Speech to Congress Summary He said that the failing economy was affecting businesses and homeowners and there was a need for decisive action to cut costs and therefore ensure the survival of the Americans by not counting the returns […]
  • Franklin Roosevelt and The New Deal The New Deal was initiated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, he was the 32nd president of the United States. His administration inherited the devastation of the Great Depression.
  • Cooper’s “Perfect” Feedback Regarding Trump’s White House Address The segment featured a live Trump’s speech a few days before the election was called and had to be cut off due to the President’s remarks a few minutes into the session.
  • Is Political and Racial Equality Possible in American Society? The study of this issue is important to modern American politics as it directly reflects the problems and opportunities of racial and ethnic minorities. It is also important to strive for justice and equality in […]
  • Opioid Crisis During Trump, Obama, and Bush Presidency The president is the head of government, meaning that this political figure has the power to solve the existing problems. Trump declared the opioid crisis a national emergency, meaning that sufficient attention was necessary to […]
  • Social Media Helped Obama Win The theory of hegemony is instrumental in understanding the relationship that exists between media and power as it can go a long way in reinforcing certain beliefs.
  • The Under-Representation of Asian Americans in US Politics The vast disproportion between the percentage of Asian American individuals within the overall US population and the rate of their representation in office might be addressed by improving the likelihood of this community engaging in […]
  • Leadership Lessons from Donald Trump: Analysis of Success Factors His leadership style seems to be visionary in regards to his managerial skills and the ability to focus on the future rather than focusing on past events.
  • “Michelle Obama Calls on You to Serve” Address Michelle pointed out initiatives and actions that were implemented and asked people to join her and the President to serve communities and build the foundation for the state’s future growth with the help of the […]
  • Media Influence on Donald Trump’s Career Trump is the focus of this essay as a prominent case of a worldwide discourse regarding the negative effects of media on a politician’s image.
  • A Critique of President Obama’s Administration Position on Contraception The paper comes from the premise that after all contraception is widely used in the US but not all the women can afford the contraceptive.
  • Barack Obama: Ambassador Leadership Style The history and current experiences of the leaders determine the approaches to the management of contemporary institutions. The advantage of this leadership is that the staff gains a lot of experience as they become more […]
  • Constitutional Issues vs. Obama Healthcare Law This is because of government involvement in subsidizing the medical cover costs and putting it mandatory for everyone to have a medical cover or pay a fine.
  • Obama’s Health Reform and Weak Points Revealed Consequently, the chief goal of the US administration is to re-focus the benefits promised by the medical care in the USA on citizens but not on medical products manufacturers.
  • Clinton Health Policy Formulation Its main components included the formulation of a national health board that was supposed to regulate the health care structure in the United States.
  • The Trump Travel Ban The aim of the current paper is to explore the ban and review the implications of its enactment for the affected individuals and the global community as a whole.
  • The Role of Interests and Factions in American Politics Thinking about the consequences of unregulated factions politics, the first idea that comes to mind is that the weaker groups will always be outsiders that are unable to promote their interests. Nevertheless, in my opinion, […]
  • Stories From the Great Depression: President Roosevelt At the same time, the era of the Great Depression was the time when many Americans resorted to their wit and creativity.
  • Political Communication: Donald Trump’s Insult Politics The purpose of this paper is to analyze Donald Trump’s insult politics and the role of racism and religion in it.
  • Progressive Policies After Theodore Roosevelt’s Term By centralizing power in the federal government, he diminished the chances of misrepresentation by municipal governments and ensured close monitory of the United States affairs to the fulfillment of the will of the people.
  • Trump’s Advocacy for Waterboarding: A Comprehensive Analysis In addition, as Trump said, waterboarding is a good method to gather information from the enemy and predict national or international threats.
  • Success and Mistakes of Barack Obama’s Foreign Policy This paper aims at discussing the achievements and shortcomings of the 44th U.S.president’s foreign policy. The second mistake of Obama’s foreign policy seems to be its expansive nature.
  • Barack Obama Made History: The First Black President of the United States In addition to becoming the first black president of the united states, Barack Obama has numerous prominent achievements that will remain the history of the United States.
  • President Obama’s Budget Proposal for the United States The budget is also expected to have an expansion of the earned income tax credit for the working poor. Contrary to the above, Republicans argue that raising the tax of the wealthy during a downturn […]
  • Roosevelt’s New Deal and Its Influence on the Society The meaning of the policy of “New Deal” was described by Roosevelt in a speech to the voters, as elements of economic planning for a “more equitable distribution of wealth and goods and supplies, the […]
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt His credits as a leader are tied to his successful leadership amidst the alarming economic depression that was a challenge to his administration. These are just a few of the great thing Roosevelt achieved during […]
  • The Healthcare Reform Law by Obama: Budget of the Healthcare Reform The proposed healthcare reform has an estimated budget of $828 billion; half of which is scheduled to be acquired from the expansion of Medicaid with an extra $29 billion stipulated to aid in the funding […]
  • The American Army: Political Science John wanted to become a warrior, belong to the company of the best soldiers in the world, to see the world, and to have financial stability.
  • Satiric Cartoons on American Politics In this cartoon, a stout man in a formal suit is depicted. In this cartoon, there is a snake cut into parts.
  • Bush on God: Bushisms From a Satirical Point of View According to the latest news, more and more people believe in the coming of the new Prophet. The witnesses claim, he was receiving a new message from the God at that moment.
  • Franklin Roosevelt: The Evolution of an American Idea The following paper is intended to discuss and explain why the first inaugural speech of Franklin Roosevelt, the retirement announcement made by Lou Gehrig, John Kennedy’s inauguration address, and Martin Luther’s “Dream” disclosure are considered […]
  • Will Donald Trump Make a Good President? Donald Trump might be a successful businessman and a true patriot, but he lacks the skills and experience to be a good leader of a country and represents opposition to core American values.
  • Public Opinion About American Politics All three articles perform in depth analysis of the events, or offer all the necessary information for such an analysis, hence, whether these are discussion of a public opinion, description of the governor’s actions, or […]
  • The Debate Over Gay Rights in American Politics Proponents of gay rights vigorously dispute these interpretations, but many people on both sides of the issue do not realize that the Bible has historically been used to argue many things in the past including […]
  • Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson in American Presidency Theodore Roosevelt is known as the 26th President of the United States and the first president to have served the full cadence in the 20th century.
  • Colonialism Questions: George Washington and Monroe Declaration He believed that the US was in danger if it would entangle itself in the foreign affairs of other nations particularly those from Europe. The convention of 1800 saw an end to all the treaties […]
  • Obama’s Health Care Bill: Legaslation`s Changes Review It is imperative to note that the passage of the bill involved wrangling from what appeared as proposition and opposition sides of the Health Care Reform bill.
  • President Obama’s Wall Street Reforms The new “bill stipulates that the amount of fees charged by banks to process debit card transactions need to be realistic and relative to the cost of the transaction”.
  • George Washington: The First President of the Great Free Country He was recognized not only as the commander in chief but also as one of the leaders who assisted in crafting the new constitution.
  • The Jesus Factor in G. W. Bush’s Political Career This time marked the turning point in the life of George Bush as he was able to receive Jesus as his personal savior this was how Bush explained. The friends of Bush were able to […]
  • Obama’s Deal: The Problem of Healthcare Reform The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the problem of healthcare reform, which was raised in the documentary Obama’s Deal, and to evaluate the impact of lobbyists’ efforts on the legislative process.
  • Barack Obama as an Exceptional Leader According to Huffington, “the first one hundred days of Obama in office has had a lot of achievements and intangible transformational leadership”.
  • Barack Obama’s Leadership Skills Between the ages of six and ten, the young Barrack lived in Indonesia before coming back to the US to complete his education which culminated in a degree from Harvard Law School.
  • American History: Key Events in Social and Political Life In the beginning of the 18th century, half of the labor was provided by the African slaves while the rest was being provided by the Native Americans with the latter providing the Spanish farms or […]
  • Donald Trump: Leadership Ability As a leader, Trump is committed to direct involvement in every business that has his name on it. As a leader, Trump is able to build strong business relationships and rally people behind his ideas […]
  • Bush Plan on Immigrants Since the program seeks to vet all aliens entering our country, it will be bound to increase the security in our country considerably. According to the program, all foreigners entering our country will have to […]
  • American Politics and Power Decentralization The investigation done on policymaking for the period of 1947-1998 presented enough information on the subject of national government to decentralize its power to state government.
  • President Obama and Congress on Healthcare System The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between Obama and the congress over the health care plan. Using the power of the media, he is appealing to the voters to maintain his […]
  • The Barack Obama Presidency in the United States This essay discusses President Obama’s administration policies on foreign and domestic issues, the challenges he faces, the strengths he can utilize, and what he needs to do in order to deliver the promises he made […]
  • The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama In the book The Breakthrough, Gwen Ifill addresses the political background and what part the women and men the author calls “the breakthrough politicians” or what the editor of the New Yorker David Remnick refers […]
  • The Influence of Evangelical Christianity on American Politics and Culture The others are the belief in the supremacy of the bibles authority and the reiteration of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • George W. Bush’s Activities and Forecasts for Barack Obama So far, all he has done to show that he would make a better president, was to overturn a number of decisions made during the Bush administration.
  • Obama: The Rule of Law and the Chrysler Debacle The Rule of law is also well known as Supremacy of law and it establishes the fact that nobody should be considered above the law of a particular nation.
  • Theodore Roosevelt as the Man and the American I at once announced that I would continue unchanged McKinley’s policies for the honor and prosperity of the country, and I asked all the members of the Cabinet to stay. This emphasizes that he was […]
  • Obama’s Tax Relief Plan Analysis The following graph outlines the proposed tax cut relief plan in detail and it would be analyzed in terms of the effect that it has had on the economy and it’s bearing on the American […]
  • Political Parties in the Modern America Political parties introduce the political life of the country through the ideas and considerations which are put in the basis of these parties and are the main differential features, which make the opposite.
  • Barack Obama and Joe Biden Committing to Domestic Reform The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt is mostly renowned for his policy of progressivism, which initially arose at the end of the nineteenth century as a response to the vast changes brought […]
  • Obama: Successes and Failures But Obama has not relented on the plan; in his speech to the Congress about the plan, he challenged them to face the plan as a way of tackling health issues.
  • Obama vs. Lincoln: Presidents’ Comparison The people of the nation are the first line to be affected with how the president handles the state that is why they are very keen in evaluating the current president.
  • American Political and Economic History of the 20th Century While a part or parts of this statement maybe true, it is not in the way it is presented. The fall of its communism marked the end of its superpower regime and a global change […]
  • President Bush’s Tax Cut Policies The impact of the tax cuts on the high-income households, the middle-income households and the low-income households have been assessed. Taylor argues that the tax cut policies of President Bush have minimized the amount of […]
  • Obama and Solving the Problem of Racial Inequality One of the most important problems in this sphere is the growing tendency of authorities to influence the work of mass media.
  • Inauguration of President Barack Obama on 2009 He smiled and waved to the audience, he was confident in correcting the Chief Justice during the oath and he was strong in his speech speaking of what has been done wrong in the past […]
  • Global Security Interests of Bush and Clinton This was probably one of the several factors that led to the formation of the Clinton’s administration policy of enlargement and engagement.
  • Americanization of Canadian Political Culture Nowadays, the Canadian political culture boasts of a great sense of collective responsibility as demonstrated by the general support of the universal care, foreign control, as well as gun control social programs However, as already […]
  • The Death of George Washington He is considered to be one of the most prominent politicians in the history of the United States. The twentieth century was marked with increased attention to the death of George Washington.
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Great Depression The Austrian school of thought is regarded to be the most truthful in the matters of the Great Depression, as The economics profession during the 1930s was at a loss to clarify the Depression.
  • Political Campaigns Finance Reform in USA Right from winning the primaries to winning the nomination of the party members, candidates have to spend a lot of money so that they remain in the public memory, appear as worthy candidates and hope […]
  • Roosevelt’s New Deal and the Great Depression The crash of the stock market in 1929 first was regarded as the beginning of the end, as it provided complex problems in the economy of the United States but it is not considered as […]
  • American Politics: Judges Selection and Appointment The elected judiciary leads to an out-of-control judicial system and unfair results while in the appointment the public has no power in the process which makes them not to be transparent because it does not […]
  • Obama and McCain’s Taxation Policy The first two sections deal with the positions of McCain and Obama on the issue of taxes and a look at the merits and demerits of the same.
  • Biography of Bill Clinton: Interpretation of Personality Hillary Rodham Clinton, his life partner had played a vital role to boost up his political career and she gained immense popularity after the rejection of his health care reform bill by Congress in the […]
  • Comparing Obama and Mccain Plans
  • George Bush, Love Him or Hate Him
  • B. Obama H. Clinton: Peculiar Individuals in US History
  • Barack Obama as the Next President of the USA
  • The Gilded Age as an Important Political Turning Point in American History
  • President Bush and United States Congress
  • F. D. Roosevelt and L. B. Johnson: USA Presidents
  • Barrack Obama Is a United States Presidential Candidate
  • Vice President in the Political System of the USA
  • Barack Obama: The First Black President Ever
  • Bill Clinton’s Accomplishments as President
  • Barrack Obama’s Campaign Review
  • Political Function of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  • George W. Bush’s Foreign Policies
  • Trump’s Contributions to Healthcare Policy
  • Tea for Trump Public Relation Campaign: ROPE Theory
  • American History vs. Donald Trump
  • President Trump’s Impeachment: For and Against
  • American vs. Russian Government & Politics
  • Sentimentalism in American Political Culture
  • Turnover Rate at President Trump’s White House
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Definition of Freedom
  • President Trump’s Impact on Economy
  • Politics and Justice Challenges in American Society
  • Barack Obama’s Charisma in Leadership
  • Barack Obama’s Presidential Leadership and Charisma
  • 2016 Presidential Elections: Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio
  • The Heroic Deeds of George Washington
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt as an Admirable Historical Figure
  • Bill Clinton’s Impeachment From Post-9/11 Perspective
  • Roosevelt’s First New Deal and the Second New Deal
  • Asian Americans’ Political Involvement
  • The Politics of Theorizing African American Families
  • Obama Campaign vs. Save the Children Initiative
  • Power, Politics, Government in Canada and America
  • George Washington: Leader in the United States
  • Politics in America Between 1820 and 1850
  • Judicial System and Politics in American History
  • American History and Politics in the 19th Century
  • The American Revolution and Political Legitimacy Evolution
  • Ethical Factors in Trump Campaign Funding
  • The Evolution of Trump’s Muslim Ban in the United States
  • Trump’s Trade Restrictions and International Mechanisms
  • Franklin Roosevelt’s Presidency and Its Influences
  • Political Cartoon: Trump’s Healthcare Amendments
  • Bush’s Best Baked Beans: International Expansion
  • Is Obama “The Reagan of the Left”?
  • Trump Phenomenon: Why Was He Popular?
  • Internet in American Politics, Society, Economics
  • American Political Ideology
  • Brexit and Trump’s Election in Online News Media
  • Popular Politics, Populism, and Donald Trump
  • Trump’s Refugee Order: Suppression or Protection
  • Trump’s Presidency: A Legitimate Change Amidst Global Instability
  • Racism in Trump’s and Clinton’s Campaigns
  • Anti-Trump Protests for Third Night on CNN
  • Hip-Hop and Politics Correlation in the USA
  • Hillary Clinton and John Mccain: Media’s Defeat
  • Importance of Religion in American Politics
  • Why Franklin Delano Roosevelt Was Most Popular Presidents?
  • Did President Obama Save the Auto Industry?
  • Barack Obama and Race Impact on American Politics
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Presidential Era
  • George Washington’s Leadership Style and Character
  • Hillary Clinton’s View on Religion and Politics
  • Intelligence Problem in the Trump Administration
  • Hillary Clinton’ Education Policy
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  • Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’ Debates
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  • New York Times: Obama Vows to Push Immigration Changes
  • Presidential Elections Analysis: Clinton vs. Cruz
  • The Congress by George Bush
  • Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney’s Economic Plans
  • First Presidential Debate: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama
  • Political Issues of Marijuana in America
  • Presidential Campaign: Barack Obama’s Message and Its Power
  • King’s and Obama’s Views on Racism in America
  • Press and Politics Relations in America
  • Historical Event: Barack Obama’s Election
  • Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton – Leaders Comparison
  • Political Sciences: American Immigration
  • Political Rhetoric: Barack Obama’s March 18 Speech
  • Washington, Jefferson and Parker’ Role in the US History
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Era
  • Roosevelt’s Plan to End the Great Depression
  • Donald Trump: His Political Course and Contribution as a President
  • President Clinton’s Impeachment
  • The Challenges That Being Black Creates for Douglass and Obama
  • George W. Bush Role in Foreign Policy of the United States
  • American National Politics
  • Ronald Reagan Revolution Through Obama
  • President Barack Obama’s Healthcare Reforms
  • Effects of the Indigenous Movements to the Politics of Modern Latin America
  • Obama’s First Election and Racism
  • Has President Obama’s Presidency Changed the US?
  • The Political Views of Muslim Americans
  • Economic, Political, Social, and Racial Concerns Affecting Mexican Americans
  • How Obama’s First Election Has Been Affected by Racism?
  • The Controversial Health Policy in the USA Initiated by the Obama’s Administration
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  • Bill Clinton Leadership
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  • Political Regimes and Business Environment Comparison Between China and USA
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  • Cultural and Political History in the USA: Flight to Canada by Ishmael Reed and The Making of Americans by Gertrude Stein
  • American Political Parties in the Late Nineteenth Century
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  • Religion and American Politics
  • Lifespan & Personality: Towards Explaining President Barrack Obama’s Personality Traits
  • Role of Politics in American Social Microstructures
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  • Politics in America: President and Congress
  • American Political Culture
  • Addressing Barack Obama’s Presidency Issues
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  • Political Structure and Process in America
  • American Political Culture History
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  • The Views on the Debate of President Obama and Romney on 10/3/12
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  • Rhetoric in American Politics
  • Public Speaking by American Politicians
  • The Political Landscape of America
  • Bush Doctrine, Explanation of the Administration and War on Terror
  • Immigration as Political Issue in the USA
  • Welfare Expenditure Reduction: Obama’s Federal Worker “Tax”
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  • President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt
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  • Concepts of Bill Clinton
  • President Obama’s State of the Union Address on January 1, 2011
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  • The Era of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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  • Roles That Political Parties Play and Have Played in American Politics
  • T. Roosevelt as a Rough Rider
  • California History Essay Titles
  • Civil War Titles
  • Federalism Research Ideas
  • Cold War Topics
  • Democracy Titles
  • Immigration Titles
  • Franklin Roosevelt Questions
  • International Politics Questions
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 2). 381 American Politics Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/american-politics-essay-topics/

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Graduate Fellowships

Red, Blue and Grey Abstract pattern

The Center for American Political Studies currently has two Fellowship programs, the CAPS Fellows, launched in 2022-23, and the Dissertation Research Fellowships on the Study of the American Republic.

The CAPS Fellows Program

The CAPS Fellows program, launched in 2022, provides research funding, research assistance (RA) support, conference support, and mentorship to the Fellows. Their appointment as Fellows is for the length of their time as graduate students. Fellows are selected annually from nominations made by Harvard faculty. New fellows are appointed each spring.

Dissertation Research Fellowships on the Study of the American Republic

Made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Center for American Political Studies offers Dissertation Research Fellowships on the Study of the American Republic. Eligible applications must contain dissertation topics with a direct engagement with the history, principles, and politics of the American Republic. These fellowships are inclusive to students inside the field of political science as well as History, English and American Literature, Philosophy, American Civilization, Sociology, Economics, Anthropology, and others – whose presence would enrich the collective discussion of enduring political, historical, and philosophical themes of the American Republic. Relevant themes include (but are not restricted to) the politics, history, and philosophy of the American Founding and the Early Republic, the political philosophy of republicanism (particularly as applied to the United States), the Civil War and its legacies, the politics of slavery and abolition, and political institutions in the United States.

Interested in the CAPS Study of the American Republic application guidelines? Click here to learn more.

Graduate Seed Grant

To encourage innovative research by graduate students on any aspect of contemporary American politics, CAPS offers Research Seed Grants to support data collection, research-related travel, or expenses connected with making presentations at professional or scholarly meetings. Grants up to a maximum of $1,000 are available to cover expenses of data collection or travel to obtain research materials; grants up to a maximum of $500 are available to help cover costs of travel to present a paper at a professional meeting or research conference. 

Interested in the CAPS Graduate Seed Grant guidelines? Click here to learn more.

PEG PhD Dissertations and Job Placements

In this section.

  • Degree Requirements
  • Current Students
  • Dissertations & Job Placements
  • Faculty & Research

Learn about the dissertations of our PhD in Political Economy and Government graduates and their job placements directly following graduation.

2023-present

Salvador ascencio pastora (government track).

Dissertation Title: Essays in Environmental Economics Advisor:  Torben Iversen Job Placement: Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Kennedy School

Caterina Chiopris (government track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in Political Economy Advisor:  Jeffry Frieden Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies; Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Columbia University

Antonio Coran (Economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in Public Economics and Labor Economics Advisor:  Stefanie Stantcheva Job Placement: Economist, Bank of Italy

Francesca Miserocchi (Economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays on Gender Inequality and Migration Advisor:  Amanda Pallais Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Harvard Business School; Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Tilburg University

Clara Sievert (Economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays on the Economics of Culture and Health Advisor:  Nathan Nunn Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education-Economics Institute (CERGE-EI)

Kevin deluca (government track)

Dissertation Title: Newspaper Endorsements, Candidate Quality, and Election Outcomes in the United States Advisor:  James M. Snyder Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Yale University

josé Ramón Enríquez (government track)

Dissertation Title: Essays on the Political Economy of Development Advisor: Jeffry Frieden ,  Rema Hanna Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Digital Economy Lab & Golub Capital Social Impact Lab, Stanford Graduate School of Business

casey Kearney (government track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in International Finance and the Political Economy of Capital Flows Advisor: Jeffry Frieden Job Placement: Assistant Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science

casey Petroff  (government track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in Political Economy Advisor: Jeffry Frieden Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Rochester

Awa Ambra seck  (economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in Economic Development and Political Economy Advisor:  Nathan Nunn , Emily Breza Job Placement: 

  • Assistant Professor, BGIE Unit, Harvard Business School
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Harvard Academy

Sarah Armitage

Dissertation Title: Essays in Environmental Economics Advisor: Joseph Aldy Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Boston University

Kevin Connolly (economics track)

Dissertation Title: The Economic, Social and Health Effects of America's Two-Year Public College Advisor:  Edward Glaeser Job Placement: to be confirmed

alley Edlebi (economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays in Applied Economics Advisor: Crystal Yang Job Placement: to be confirmed

Michael-David Mangini

Dissertation Title: How Commerce Becomes Compromised: Economic Coercion and Credibility in the Age of the Global Economy Advisor: Jeffry Frieden Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance

Hillary Stein

Dissertation Title: Essays on International Finance and Political Economy Advisor:  Kenneth Rogoff Job Placement: Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Augustin Bergeron

Dissertation Title: Essays in Development and Public Economics Advisor:  Nathan Nunn Job Placement:

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Southern California
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Stanford King Center on Global Development

Enrico Di Gregorio

Dissertation Title: Essays in Public Finance and Political Economy Advisor:  Stefanie Stantcheva Job Placement: Economist, International Monetary Fund

Felipe Jordán

Dissertation Title: Essays on the Influence of Western Institutions on Indigenous Societies Advisor: Rema Hanna Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Brian Wheaton

Dissertation Title: Essays on Political Economy and Macroeconomics Advisor: Robert J. Barro Job Placement: 

  • Assistant Professor, Anderson School of Management, University of California Los Angeles
  • Hoover Fellow 2021-2022, Hoover Institution  

Andrea Passalacqua (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Banking and Corporate Finance Advisor: Jeremy Stein Job Placement: Economist, Federal Reserve Board  

Juan Sebastián Galán (government track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on the Political Economy of Latin American Development Advisors: Melissa Dell ,  Nathan Nunn Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia

Siddharth George (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Development Economics Advisor: Rohini Pande Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College

Soeren J. Henn (government track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on State Building and Economic Development Advisors:  Torben Iversen ,  Nathan Nunn Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Innovations for Poverty Action, University of Chicago  

Pamela Ban (government track)

Dissertation Title:  The Changing Influence of Committees in Congress Advisor:  James M. Snyder, Jr. Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of California San Diego

Laura Blattner (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Finance and Economic Policy Advisors:  Gita Gopinath ,  Jeremy Stein Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Finance, Finance Group, Stanford Graduate School of Business

John Coglianese (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on the Macroeconomics of Labor Markets Advisor: Lawrence Katz Job Placement: Economist, Research Division, Labor Markets Group, Federal Reserve Board

Andrew Garin (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on the Economics of Labor Demand and Policy Incidence Advisors:  Nathaniel Hendren ,  Lawrence Katz Job Placement: Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Edoardo Teso (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Political Economy Advisor:  Alberto Alesina Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

Jonathan Weigel (Government track)

Dissertation Title:  Taxation, Corruption, and Engagement With the Formal State: Experimental Evidence From the D.R. Congo Advisor: James Robinson Job Placement: Assistant Professor of International Development, International Development Department, London School of Economics and Political Science  

Marek Hlavac (Government track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Political Economy Advisor:  Torben Iversen Job Placement: Economics Teacher, United World Colleges (UWC) Adriatic

Danial Lashkari (Economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Innovation and Growth Advisors:  Pol Antràs ,  Marc Melitz Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Boston College

Sara Lowes (economics track)

Dissertation Title:  Understanding the Process of Economic Development: Essays on Culture and Institutions Advisor:  Nathan Nunn Job Placement: Assistant Professor, Bocconi University

MaliHeh Paryavi (economics track)

Dissertation Title: Essays on Gender and Decision Marking in Political Economy Advisor: Iris Bohnet Job Placement: Consultant, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, The World Bank

Guilherme Lichand

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Development Economics Advisor:  Nathan Nunn Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Department of Economics University of Zurich

Mauricio Fernández Duque

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Social Influence in Political Economy: How Expectations and Identity Affect Pro-Social Leading and Following Advisor:  Michael Hiscox Track: Government

Job Placement: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Harvard University

Angela Fonseca Galvis

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Political Economy Advisor:  James Robinson Track: Government

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Pontificia Universidad Javeriana 

Sabrina Howell

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Energy Economics and Entrepreneurial Finance Advisors: Josh Lerner ,  David S. Scharfstein Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Department of Finance New York University Stern School of Business

Dissertation Title:  The Clash of Brothers: Wars to Avoid Diffusion in a Contagious World Advisors: James Robinson ,  Andrei Shleifer Track: Government

Job Placement: Economist Core Data Science Division Facebook

James Mahon

Dissertation Title:  Essays in U.S. Fiscal Policy Advisors:  Raj Chetty ,  Edward Glaeser Track: Economics

Job Placement: Manager Transfer Pricing Division Deloitte Tax

Jesse Schreger

Dissertation Title:  Essays in International Finance and Macroeconomics Advisors: Gita Gopinath ,  Kenneth Rogoff Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Harvard Business School (Post-Doc at Princeton University, Department of Economics)

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Economic Geography Advisors:  Edward Glaeser ,  Marc Melitz Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Department of Economics Michigan State University (Post-Doc at Dartmouth College)

Jessica Blankshain

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Interservice Rivalry and American Civil-Military Relations Advisor: Daniel Carpenter Track: Government

Job Placement: Assistant Professor United States Naval College

Joana Naritomi

Dissertation Title:  Essays in Public Finance and Development Economics Advisor:  Raj Chetty , Michael Kremer Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics London School of Economics and Political Science

Arash Nekoei

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Unemployment and Labor Supply Advisor:  Raj Chetty , Lawrence Katz Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics Institute for Economic Studies

Hye Young You

Dissertation Title: Three Essays on Lobbying Advisor:  James M. Snyder, Jr. Track: Government

Job Placement: Assistant Professor Department of Political Science Vanderbilt University

Paul Novosad

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Local Economic Growth in India Advisor:  Asim Khwaja Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics Dartmouth College

Eliana Carranza

Dissertation Title: Economics Sources of Son Preference, Sex-Differential Treatment and Household Fertility Behavior Advisor:  Lawrence Katz Track: Economics

Job Placement: Economist The World Bank

Dissertation Title:  Politics and Policy: Essays in Economics Advisor:  Andrei Shleifer Track: Economics

Job Placement: Associate McKinsey & Company

Supreet Kaur

Dissertation Title:  Essays on Labor Markets in Developing Countries Advisor:  Sendhil Mullainathan Track: Economics

Job Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics and International Affairs Columbia University

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7 big issues at stake in the 2024 election

Demonstrators protest outside the U.S. Supreme

WASHINGTON — The policy contrasts between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are sharpening as the general election campaign gets fully underway.

But what does the choice represent for ordinary voters and the economic and cultural issues they care about? A rematch between the Democratic incumbent and his Republican predecessor may feel uninspiring to many voters, but the policy stakes are enormous for tens of millions of Americans — and the world.

Here are seven big issues at stake in the 2024 election.

The contrast: Biden favors federal abortion protections; Trump opposes them. Trump supported nationwide restrictions on abortion as president but now downplays the need for a federal ban, as Republicans are divided over the issue. Biden does not support federal limits.

Biden has championed the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill to protect abortion rights in all 50 states under federal law and prohibit medically unnecessary hurdles to accessing the procedure. He has asked voters to send him a Democratic Congress that supports legal abortion to achieve that.

Trump has boasted that he "broke Roe v. Wade" by picking three of the five Supreme Court justices who overturned it, delivering on a four-decade goal of the GOP. More recently, Trump has openly fretted that the backlash may cost him and his party the election. Last week, Trump said the issue should be left to states, a shift from his support for nationwide restrictions when he was president. His new stance has drawn pushback from GOP allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina , and anti-abortion-rights advocates, who say that he is wrong and that Republicans should not be deterred from their long-standing goal of enacting some nationwide abortion limits.

Some Republicans downplay the prospects of federal abortion restrictions’ passing Congress, even if they win full control. Biden and his allies are telling voters to look at the GOP’s long history of championing federal restrictions and not their recent rhetoric.

Immigration

The contrast: Trump has promised a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration and tougher executive actions; Biden is asking Congress to give him more tools to manage an overwhelmed border and create new legal pathways to immigrate to the U.S.

Trump has called existing border laws an existential threat to the U.S., saying migrants are “ poisoning the blood of our country” and bringing new “ languages .” His campaign website says: “President Trump will shut down Biden’s border disaster. He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico , and eliminate asylum fraud. In cooperative states, President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals.”

After having rescinded some of Trump's policies, Biden has recently shifted to support stricter immigration laws as the system remains overwhelmed. He championed a bipartisan bill to raise the bar for gaining asylum, grant more U.S. resources to process asylum claims and turn away migrants who do not qualify, and empower the president to temporarily shut down the border if migration levels hit certain triggers. (Republicans blocked the bill in the Senate amid lobbying by Trump , who wants to use the border as an election issue.) Biden has also endorsed the U.S. Citizenship Act , which would grant a pathway to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally if they pass background checks and pay their taxes.

Fundamentally, Trump has aligned with forces who want less immigration into the country, while Biden has embraced the belief that immigrants make the U.S. better.

Health care and prescription drugs

The contrast: Biden wants to extend Affordable Care Act provisions and empower Medicare to negotiate more prescription drugs; Trump has aggressively criticized the ACA but not offered a health care plan.

Biden, who was vice president when the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, sees it as a cherished achievement to protect and strengthen. The law, also known as "Obamacare," which has extended coverage to 45 million people through subsidies, insurance mandates and a Medicaid expansion, continues to face conservative opposition.

Separately, Biden has touted a provision in his party-line Inflation Reduction Act that empowers Medicare to negotiate lower prices for 10 prescription drugs. He said he wants to boost that to 50 if he is re-elected, with the goal of $200 billion in savings.

Trump spent his four years as president fighting unsuccessfully to repeal and unravel the law — through legislation and executive action and endorsing lawsuits to wipe it out. In November, Trump called for revisiting plans to "terminate" the ACA . He has recently sought to downplay that and insists he only wants to improve the law. But he has not offered a health care plan. Many of his GOP allies in Congress still favor repealing or undoing the ACA, including a budget by the Republican Study Committee, which boasts about 80% of the House GOP conference as members, including Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana.

The contrast: Trump's 2017 tax cuts expire at the end of next year, and he has called for extending them; Biden has called for raising taxes on families earning over $400,000 to fund various priorities.

A series of Trump tax cuts, which Republicans passed on a party-line basis in 2017, expire at the end of 2025. Congress and the winner of the election will decide what happens to them.

In a recent private speech to wealthy donors, Trump s aid his policies include "extending the Trump tax cuts" if he is elected, according to a Trump campaign official. That would preserve lower rates across the income spectrum, with the biggest benefits for top earners.

Biden has attacked that law as a giveaway to the wealthiest Americans, vowing to make "big corporations and the very wealthy finally pay their fair share." He has backed a corporate tax rate hike from 21% to 28% and said that "nobody earning less than $400,000 will pay an additional penny in federal taxes." Biden is also calling for a $3,600-per-child tax cut for families, an $800 average tax break for "front-line workers" and a 25% minimum tax on billionaires, according to a newly released campaign plank.

The expiration of the Trump tax cuts will restore the unlimited federal deduction for state and local taxes, which Republicans had capped at $10,000 in the 2017 law. Republicans broadly support preserving the cap, with some exceptions, while most Democrats want to lift it.

Judges and the Supreme Court

The contrast: Their track records tell a clear story. Trump has picked young conservative judges to serve on the federal bench, while Biden has picked liberals with a focus on professional and personal diversity.

One of the clearest contrasts is what kinds of judges Trump and Biden would pick for lifetime appointments on the federal courts. A simple way for voters to think about it is whether they prefer new judges with the conservative views of Justice Neil Gorsuch, Trump's first Supreme Court pick, or with the liberal views of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's (so far only) high court pick.

As president, Trump nominated young conservative judges who will serve for generations. Biden has focused on finding judges with diverse backgrounds and résumés, including more civil rights lawyers and public defenders.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether a Supreme Court vacancy will open up in the next four years. The presidential election winner and the party that controls the Senate would fill it.

The contrast: Trump is pushing a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports; Biden's White House opposes that, saying it would raise inflation.

Trump, long a skeptic of U.S. trade deals, has proposed to impose a 10% tariff on all imported goods if he returns to the White House. He recently told Fox News that it could be 60% — or potentially “more than that” — on imports of Chinese goods.

Biden opposes that idea. In a memo over the weekend, the White House slammed the idea of "across-the-board tariffs that would raise taxes and prices by $1,500 per American family," without naming Trump; it referred to an estimate by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, that Trump's 10% tax on imports could cost an average American household $1,500 per year.

Biden, instead, has sought to boost domestic manufacturing with major federal investments in semiconductors and electric vehicles.

Foreign policy and NATO

The contrast: Biden favors Ukraine aid, while Trump is skeptical of it; Biden supports NATO and a traditional view of American power, while Trump has criticized NATO and voiced some isolationist views.

The clearest example of the foreign policy differences between the two concerns the fate of Ukraine, which is running low on ammunition and says it needs U.S. assistance to continue holding off Russia’s aggression. Biden is an ardent proponent of helping Ukraine, while Trump has poured cold water on U.S. aid to Ukraine and successfully pressured House Republicans to block it since they took the majority in January 2023.

And that points to a deeper divide: Biden is an outspoken supporter of the NATO alliance as a bulwark against adversaries like Russia and China and of preserving the post-World War II order. Trump has dialed up his criticisms of NATO and aligned with a growing isolationist wing in the U.S. that wants to be less involved in global affairs. Trump recently said that as president, he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to member countries who are “delinquent” in their dues.

american politics dissertation topics

Sahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

american politics dissertation topics

Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Has PhD in Breakdancing?

Rachael gunn earned a zero in breakdancing at the paris 2024 olympic games., aleksandra wrona, published aug. 13, 2024.

Mixture

About this rating

Gunn's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: a B-girl's Experience of B-boying," did cover the topic of breakdancing. However ...

... Gunn earned her Ph.D. in cultural studies. Moreover, a "PhD in breakdancing" does not exist as an academic discipline.

On Aug. 10, 2024, a rumor spread on social media that Rachael Gunn (also known as "Raygun"), an Australian breakdancer who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, had a Ph.D. in breakdancing. "This australian breakdancer has a PhD in breakdancing and dance culture and was a ballroom dancer before taking up breaking. I don't even know what to say," one X post on the topic read .

"Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn has a PhD in breakdancing and dance culture," one X user wrote , while another asked, "Who did we send? Raygun, a 36-year-old full-time lecturer at Sydney's Macquarie University, completed a PhD in breaking culture and is a lecturer in media, creative arts, literature and language," another X user wrote .

The claim also spread on other social media platforms, such as Reddit and Instagram . 

"Is she the best break dancer? No. But I have so much respect for going on an international stage to do something you love even if you're not very skilled at it," one Instagram user commented , adding that, "And, I'm pretty sure she's using this as a research endeavor and will be writing about all our reactions to her performance. Can't wait to read it!"

In short, Gunn's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying," indeed focused on the topic of breakdancing. However, Gunn earned her Ph.D. in cultural studies, not in breakdancing. Furthermore, it's important to note that a "PhD in breakdancing" does not exist as an academic discipline. 

Since Gunn's research focused on the breakdancing community, but her degree is actually in the broader field of cultural studies, we have rated this claim as a "Mixture" of truths.

Gunn "secured Australia's first ever Olympic spot in the B-Girl competition at Paris 2024 by winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, NSW, Australia," the Olympics official website informed . 

Gunn earned a zero in breakdancing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and clips of her routine went viral on social media, with numerous users creating memes or mocking dancer's moves. "As well as criticising her attire, social media users mocked the Australian's routine as she bounced around on stage like a kangaroo and stood on her head at times," BBC article on the topic read . 

The website of the Macquarie University informed Gunn "is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking" and holds a Ph.D. in cultural studies, as well as a bachelor of arts degree (Hons) in contemporary music: 

Rachael Gunn is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies (2017) and a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music (2009) from Macquarie University. Her work draws on cultural theory, dance studies, popular music studies, media, and ethnography. Rachael is a practising breaker and goes by the name of 'Raygun'. She was the Australian Breaking Association top ranked bgirl in 2020 and 2021, and represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in Paris in 2021, in Seoul in 2022, and in Leuven (Belgium) in 2023. She won the Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023.

Gunn's biography further revealed that she is a member of the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Reasearch Centre, and has a range of teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels "across the areas of media, creative industries, music, dance, cultural studies, and work-integrated learning." 

Moreover, it informed her research interests included, "Breaking, street dance, and hip-hop culture; youth cultures/scenes; constructions of the dancing body; politics of gender and gender performance; ethnography; the methodological dynamics between theory and practice."

Gunn earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Media, Music, Communications, and Cultural Studies within the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University. Below, you can find the abstract of her paper, shared by the official website of Macquarie University:

This thesis critically interrogates how masculinist practices of breakdancing offers a site for the transgression of gendered norms. Drawing on my own experiences as a female within the male-dominated breakdancing scene in Sydney, first as a spectator, then as an active crew member, this thesis questions why so few female participants engage in this creative space, and how breakdancing might be the space to displace and deterritorialise gender. I use analytic autoetthnography and interviews with scene members in collaboration with theoretical frameworks offered by Deleuze and Guttari, Butler, Bourdieu and other feminist and post-structuralist philosophers, to critically examine how the capacities of bodies are constituted and shaped in Sydney's breakdancing scene, and to also locate the potentiality for moments of transgression. In other words, I conceptualize the breaking body as not a 'body' constituted through regulations and assumptions, but as an assemblage open to new rhizomatic connections. Breaking is a space that embraces difference, whereby the rituals of the dance not only augment its capacity to deterritorialize the body, but also facilitate new possibilities for performativities beyond the confines of dominant modes of thought and normative gender construction. Consequently, this thesis attempts to contribute to what I perceive as a significant gap in scholarship on hip-hop, breakdancing, and autoethnographic explorations of Deleuze-Guattarian theory.

In a response to online criticism of her Olympics performance, Gunn wrote on her Instagram profile: "Don't be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that's gonna take you":

We have recently investigated other 2024 Paris Olympics' -related rumors, such as:

  • Lifeguards Are Present at Olympic Swimming Competitions?
  • Hobby Lobby Pulled $50M in Ads from 2024 Paris Olympics?
  • 2024 Paris Olympics Are 'Lowest-Rated' Games in Modern History?

Gunn, Rachael Louise. Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-Girl's Experience of B-Boying. 2022. Macquarie University, thesis. figshare.mq.edu.au, https://doi.org/10.25949/19433291.v1.

---. Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-Girl's Experience of B-Boying. 2022. Macquarie University, thesis. figshare.mq.edu.au, https://doi.org/10.25949/19433291.v1.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Lifeguards Are Present at Olympic Swimming Competitions?" Snopes, 8 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/lifeguards-paris-olympics-swimming/.

"Olympic Breaking: Criticism of Viral Breakdancer Rachael Gunn - Raygun - Condemned by Australia Team." BBC Sport, 10 Aug. 2024, https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c2dgxp5n3rlo.

ORCID. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1069-4021. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.

Paris 2024. https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/-raygun_1940107. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.

Saunders, Grant Leigh, and Rachael Gunn. "Australia." Global Hip Hop Studies, vol. 3, no. 1–2, Dec. 2023, pp. 23–32. Macquarie University, https://doi.org/10.1386/ghhs_00060_1.

Wazer, Caroline. "2024 Paris Olympics Are 'Lowest-Rated' Games in Modern History?" Snopes, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/paris-olympics-lowest-rated-games/.

---. "Hobby Lobby Pulled $50M in Ads from 2024 Paris Olympics?" Snopes, 8 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/olympics-hobby-lobby-ads/.

By Aleksandra Wrona

Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw, Poland, area.

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China’s Advancing Efforts to Influence the U.S. Election Raise Alarms

China has adopted some of the same misinformation tactics that Russia used ahead of the 2016 election, researchers and government officials say.

A photo illustration shows a collage of images of President Biden, Donald Trump, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a social media account page and the U.S. capital.

By Tiffany Hsu and Steven Lee Myers

Covert Chinese accounts are masquerading online as American supporters of former President Donald J. Trump, promoting conspiracy theories, stoking domestic divisions and attacking President Biden ahead of the election in November, according to researchers and government officials.

The accounts signal a potential tactical shift in how Beijing aims to influence American politics, with more of a willingness to target specific candidates and parties, including Mr. Biden.

In an echo of Russia’s influence campaign before the 2016 election, China appears to be trying to harness partisan divisions to undermine the Biden administration’s policies, despite recent efforts by the two countries to lower the temperature in their relations.

Some of the Chinese accounts impersonate fervent Trump fans, including one on X that purported to be “a father, husband and son” who was “MAGA all the way!!” The accounts mocked Mr. Biden’s age and shared fake images of him in a prison jumpsuit, or claimed that Mr. Biden was a Satanist pedophile while promoting Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

“I’ve never seen anything along those lines at all before,” said Elise Thomas, a senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a nonprofit research organization that uncovered a small group of the fake accounts posing as Trump supporters.

Ms. Thomas and other researchers have linked the new activity to a long-running network of accounts connected with the Chinese government known as Spamouflage. Several of the accounts they detailed previously posted pro-Beijing content in Mandarin — only to resurface in recent months under the guise of real Americans writing in English.

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Kamala Harris’ bid for the presidency is historic. Is America ready? | The Excerpt

On a special episode (first released on August 8, 2024) of The Excerpt podcast: It’s been just over two weeks since President Joe Biden took the extraordinary step of stepping down from the 2024 presidential race, making Vice President Kamala Harris only the second female to ever make it to the top of a presidential ticket, and the first female of color to do so. Is the country ready? What lessons can Harris’ communication team take from women who have come before her in seeking the most powerful office in America? And can they successfully manage to tame a Republican media narrative that may treat her race and gender as detractors rather than strengths? Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Run For Something, a progressive American political organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting young candidates running for down-ballot office, joins The Excerpt to discuss. She was also email director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it.  This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

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Dana Taylor:

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Thursday, August 8th, 2024, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. It's been just over two weeks since President Joe Biden took the extraordinary step of stepping down from the 2024 presidential race making Vice President Kamala Harris only the second female ever to make it to the top of a presidential ticket and the first female of color to do so. Is the country ready? What lessons can Harris' communications team take from women who've come before in seeking the most powerful office in America? Can they successfully manage to tame a Republican media narrative that may treat race and gender as detractors rather than strengths? Here to discuss, I'm now joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and co-executive director of Run for Something, a progressive American political organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting young candidates running for down-ballot office. She was also email director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Thanks for being on The Excerpt, Amanda.

Amanda Litman:

Thank you for having me.

You were a key part of Clinton's team back in 2016 during her historic campaign. With Harris now the Democratic nominee, is there something bittersweet about this moment for you?

There really is, and I know that we would not have presidential nominee and hopefully presidential-elect Kamala Harris without presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. She had to run and in some ways she had to lose in order to get the progress that we've made for women running for office over the last eight years. Seeing this moment and knowing how close we are, it feels like getting to avenge a wrongdoing of eight years ago.

You were quoted in an Atlantic article after Joe Biden won the Democratic nomination in 2020 as saying you were devastated when Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the running, and in fact, you wrote an op-ed in Cosmopolitan titled "Stop Lying, America: You Were Never Gonna Vote for a Woman President." Is America ready now, do you think?

I think so, and I think we've come a long way in the last eight years. It's worth situating ourselves, as Kamala likes to say, the context of all that has come before us. In 2018, we had a record number of women running for office. Some people called it the year of the woman round two. The most recent one before that had been 1992. That broke history with AOC winning in New York. Lauren Underwood being a young black woman winning a majority white district outside Chicago. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar becoming the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. Deb Haaland becoming the first indigenous woman to serve in Congress.

All of that helps lay the groundwork. Then in 2020, we had I think six women running for president, each of which ran in a slightly different way, one of them being vice president now, Vice President Kamala Harris. That again expanded the models for what a woman could look like leading. On top of that, in 2022 and 2024 and the years in between, now, my organization alone has worked with boards than 1,800 young women running for local office across the country. We have seen state legislators in Nevada, and I believe Arizona become majority women. Colorado is really close.

We have Saint Paul, Minnesota just earlier this year, end of last year, become the first major of American city to be run entirely by women. It's an all women city council, all young women, majority women of color city council. They joked during the swearing in ceremony, it felt like Barbieland. and we've seen other women across the country run who do not model or do not look like and act like the kind of women that ran even before 2016, which means I think we have more experience voting for, working for, campaigning for, volunteering for, and also defending women who are stepping up to lead in a way that really sets us up for this moment extremely well.

There've been a lot of personal attacks on Harris recently from Trump and other Republicans, from criticizing her racial identity to attacking her laugh, something Clinton also had to battle. I know it's early days, but do you think she and her team are fighting these effectively so far, and if not, how would you advise her going forward?

I think they're doing a really good job of not even engaging with some of it. Part of it's because it doesn't stick to her the way that it did with Hillary Clinton. For Hillary, she had been a target of right wing oppo attacks for 25 years. They had really dedicated themselves to tearing her down and making it clear no matter what kind of woman she was, whether she was a career woman or a stay-at-home mom with her kid or whatever she decided to be, it wasn't the right kind. She was never going to be right. Now, I think what the Harris campaign is doing now is not leaning away from her gender or her race, but using that as part of her story for why she cares about the issues she does and helps inform and give her credibility when she's talking about things like reproductive health, like maternal mortality, like equal pay, like paid family leave. It's not why she's running, but it helps inform her credibility on the issues in a really meaningful way.

What does the entry of Harris into the presidential race add to this national contest that wasn't part of the conversation before?

We get to talk about the future. I think this is one of the problems of the Biden campaign when Biden was at the top of it, was that it became either a referendum on Trump, which was backward looking, or even a referendum on Biden, which because he wasn't able to be as effective of a messenger, people didn't really know what he had done. He had done really good things, but he couldn't sit for as many interviews. He couldn't do the kinds of pop culture engagement that maybe Kamala can do. We now get to look to what a new generation of leadership looks like. Kamala Harris gets to represent the future and gets to represent hope and gets to represent excitement. Yeah, you can run a campaign that is afraid of Trump and instilling the fear of an existential threat of democracy, that can work and we've seen that work before, but it is so much more fun and so much more energizing to run a campaign based on hope and enthusiasm from what could be as opposed to what was.

Unlike Clinton, Harris has already held the office. It's just a heartbeat away from the presidency. Is this likely to help her overcome some of the bias out there among likely voters?

I think having seen her lead in big moments, having seen her do international trips, all of that does play a part here. Similarly, when she served in the Senate, she has a strong track record of accomplishments. That's not to say Hillary Clinton didn't either. She absolutely did, but people weren't as used to seeing a woman in that kind of role, which I think made it seem a little scarier in some ways for her.

As part of Hillary Clinton's campaign team, I'm guessing you spent a lot of time and energy trying to manage the shifting media narrative. If you were going to advise Harris' campaign on strategy, what might you tell them to do differently?

Well, different from 2016 and different from Hillary is that Vice President Harris has always been a part of this media ecosystem. She doesn't have the same antagonistic relationship with the press. Hillary absolutely did, and I don't blame her for that. Again, the 25 years of people talking about her marriage and her personal life and insulting her in the media, spreading conspiracy theories around her, that made her a little hesitant to engage in a really unguarded way. I think it's telling that when people talk about, "Oh, the Hillary Clinton I know, the one that I have met is much warmer and friendlier than the one maybe that the press got to see."

Whereas Kamala has come of age as a politician, particularly in a moment where there are always cameras around her. Usually it's supporters with iPhones excited to take a picture with her as opposed to trackers trying to catch her in a bad moment. She knows how to use the internet personally, and she really can engage with the press in a way that is joyful and authentic without any fear, and that allows her to have a really different relationship with the media in a way that I think will make the difference in her campaign.

The email issue that arose late in the campaign for Clinton was clearly damaging to her image. Assuming for the moment that Harris doesn't face any high profile incidents like that in the run up to November, how would you advise her communications team to keep the media narrative focused on the issues versus her gender or race?

Yeah. I think they are experts and professionals. I think in particular, Brian Fallon who runs her communication team, who also worked for the Hillary campaign back in 2016 is one of the best in the business. I think for her talking about the issues that are ensworned by her gender or her race as opposed to making it about her gender or her race. Everyone can see she's a black woman. She's a woman of South Asian descent. She is who she is. Keeping a focus on how that shapes her passion for the issues, there's a reason she was the most forceful advocate for abortion access within the Biden White House. Biden couldn't speak credibly on that for any number of reasons. She really can and that's true across any number of issues.

On the other side of the aisle this year, there was a strong female contender for the Republican presidential nomination with Nikki Haley who of course was not just female but also of South Asian heritage. She faced attacks on both counts during her campaign. What were the most impressive takeaways from the Haley campaign on how to overcome voter preconceptions and bias here?

I do think it is telling that we are seeing Republican women on the other sides who engage with gender in a different way. They are not always the best advocates for women to put it lightly. In many circumstances, they tend to success for me, not for thee kind of framework to their policy approaches. But I do think she also helped warm up some Republican voters who maybe were a little hesitant to vote for a woman but they could get behind Nikki Haley, especially if they were not behind Donald Trump. I think a lot about how in many of those Republican primaries people kept voting for her even after she dropped out. Even when she was no longer campaigning, but her name was on the ballot, she kept winning some Republican primary voters. Those are voters who now that they've sort of broken the seal of voting for a woman for president might be able to do it this time around for Kamala.

I want to turn to former President Barack Obama who recently endorsed Harris for President. His campaign had to confront a torrent of false and racially motivated attacks aimed at his citizenship, for example. Did we learn anything about Obama's successful communication strategy there?

I think you got to point to it as a tactic. He was very on the level with folks. This is a thing that the Republican Party is doing to try and make it seem like I am not one of you, but my story is the American story. We saw this in the rally in Philadelphia where Vice President Harris was introducing Tim Walz and talked about their unlikely backgrounds of both growing up middle class in Oakland, California and in the Heartland, Tim Walz grew up in Nebraska and now governs Minnesota, can rise to be two of the most powerful people in the country, the very top of our federal government. That's the American story in the same way that Barack Obama was the American story. It really makes it about patriotism, not about the tactics that the GOP is using to divide us.

Finally, Amanda, what do you most want our audience to know about Harris' historic presidential run that they might not know already?

She can win this. I think it is maybe people do know that and maybe they're afraid to embrace that possibility. I know I've talked with so many, especially women who had their hearts set on electing Hillary Clinton in 2016 who are afraid to get excited this time around because of that crushing disappointment after election day. This is different. We are in a different moment. We have gone through a different period in history from the Women's March to the Me Too movement, to even the Barbie movie last year and the Taylor Swift and Beyonce tours that increased and embraced female joy and female power. This is a moment in history and she's the right person to lead, and if we have her back, she can absolutely win and I'm not afraid of that. I don't want folks to be afraid of hoping for a victory.

Amanda, thank you so much for joining me on The Excerpt.

Thanks for having me.

Thanks to our senior producer Shannon Rae Green for her production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to [email protected]. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

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  • North Carolina may be the hottest political battleground of 2024

Political manoeuvring and changing demography are making it the most interesting state to watch

North Carolina governor Roy Cooper playing chess with the Republican elephant

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T he most fascinating political chess match in America outside Washington, DC —where the usual game is more like 52-card pickup anyway—is taking place in North Carolina, involving races from the local to the national level. Joe Biden, who is already running campaign advertising in the state, made his sixth trip there as president on June 9th, the same day as Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and a day ahead of two other Republican candidates, Mike Pence and Donald Trump.

At the state Republican convention in Greensboro on June 10th, Mr Trump called North Carolina “a very, very special place” and boasted of his “tremendous success here”. He chose not to mention that from 2016 to 2020 his margin of victory plunged by 2.3 percentage points, to fewer than 75,000 votes out of more than 5.4m cast. Among the 26 states he won in 2020, that was his narrowest edge. Whereas a Democrat has a plausible path to victory without North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes, a Republican does not.

Having dominated legislative races in rural areas, Republicans have the chance to entrench control: this spring a Democratic lawmaker stunned her party by defecting, thereby providing Republicans with majorities big enough to make law over vetoes by the governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat in his second term. Republicans won a majority on the elected state Supreme Court last year, removing another check.

Yet the governor gives every sign of feeling he has the Republicans right where he wants them. A genial, canny centrist first elected to the legislature back in 1986—he wrote the veto law, in 1995—Mr Cooper thinks they are overplaying their hand. “They’re beginning to hear from their constituents,” he says with a chuckle, sitting in the governor’s mansion in Raleigh and gesturing toward the statehouse. “I’m talking to their constituents and informing them of what’s going on behind closed doors over there.”

The legislature has begun stripping the governor of some powers, granting itself authority to make certain appointments. Mr Cooper is worried about what that means for the balance of power, but does not think voters will pay much attention to such mechanics. “They care about the issues that affect their day-to-day life, so they care about some of the things that are beginning to result from this grab for power,” he says. He points to a 12-week ban on abortion that the assembly just imposed over his veto, and a school-voucher plan to let parents, regardless of income, use public money to pay for private school.

Mr Cooper, whom polls show to be the most popular state politician, has declared a state of emergency in public education and is using his bully pulpit to warn that the abortion ban is a step toward even tighter restrictions. A poll by Meredith College in February found that 57% of the state’s residents supported keeping or expanding the previous law, which allowed abortion up to 20 weeks. Republican lawmakers argue that their law is a sensible middle ground. “The things in this bill are not obstacles to abortion,” the state’s speaker pro tempore, Sarah Stevens, insisted during floor debate. “They’re safeguards.” That is a posture unlikely to satisfy either Democrats or fervently anti-abortion Republicans.

Mr Cooper is term-limited, which means North Carolina will have one of the fiercest races for governor in 2024. The likely Democratic nominee is Josh Stein, the state attorney-general, who is cut from Mr Cooper’s cloth. The Republican front-runner is Mark Robinson, the lieutenant governor, elected separately from the governor. He models the Trumpist flair that enraptures Republican hardliners but tends to dismay everyone else. He has compared abortion to slavery, called homosexuality and transgenderism “filth” and ridiculed survivors of a school shooting as “media prostit-tots”. He has praised Joe McCarthy and attacked the civil-rights movement as destroying freedoms. Mr Robinson, who is black, complained on Facebook that the movie “Black Panther” was “created by an agnostic Jew” and “put to film” by a “satanic Marxist.” At the state convention, Mr Trump called Mr Robinson “one of the great stars of the party” and said he would endorse him.

Carolina blues

Some Republican activists believe their party’s dominance is assured by the erosion of the historic Democratic loyalty of voters in the rural east of North Carolina, Mr Cooper’s home turf. But Paul Shumaker, a longtime Republican strategist, does not share their optimism. He notes that 75% of the increase in voters in the past decade has occurred in just 12 of the 100 counties, in and near cities that favour Democrats. “My message to my party is if you don’t fix your urban-suburban problem, you won’t fix your statewide problem,” he says. “And not just your supermajority, your majority will be gone by the next decade.”

Mr Cooper is not counting on that trend alone. “Demography may be destiny, but you have to make it work, and you have to get people out to vote,” he says. With all legislative seats on the ballot in 2024, he plans to run a Democratic candidate in every district to motivate Democrats even in overwhelmingly Republican areas. “That will help us overall statewide,” he says. “And I think there’s going to be a historic amount of investment in the governor’s race, because of what’s at stake.”

Republican legislators plan to rewrite voting laws in ways that will advantage them, and they will also be able to draw favourable state and congressional districts. Under the “independent state legislature theory”, North Carolina’s Republicans are arguing at the Supreme Court that legislatures should be free of any court oversight of election laws. The court seems unlikely to endorse that view, but Mr Cooper worries about what it implies for election integrity. “The foundation of democracy is at stake when you have a legislature, just like President Trump, who would do anything to the fabric of the system to stay in power,” he says. “And my goal is that we would never find out whether they would go that far.” ■

Read more from Lexington, our columnist on American politics: Nikki Haley, like other long shots, sees a path to victory (Jun 1st) DeSantis is a truer believer, if a lesser politician, than Trump (May 24th) It turns out that Democrats bus migrants, too (May 18th)

You can read  other articles about the elections of 2024  and follow along as we track shifts in Joe Biden’s  approval rating .

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Carolina in their minds”

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