Political Science

How did echo chambers influence the 2020 election?

Research from the Annenberg School for Communication shows that people are consuming news from more diverse sources, but many don’t consume any news at all. It’s too soon to tell what role that played in the recent race for president.

Michele W. Berger , Julie Sloane

Making sense of the election

Penn political scientists helped a virtual audience process polling, voter turnout, litigation, and a chaotic presidential election.

Kristen de Groot

‘You Voted. But Did it Really Matter?’

On Nov. 7, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes secured Joseph Biden the presidency. Anticipating news of a Biden win, Mary Frances Berry, Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history and Africana studies, called it a time to push forward for change with renewed force. 

Kristina García

An election night like no other

Undergraduates in the Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies worked at NBC helping support its Decision Desk.

Kristen de Groot



In the News


The New York Times

This man won birthright citizenship for all

Rogers M. Smith of the School of Arts & Sciences says that it’s ambiguous whether birthright citizenship applies to the children of unauthorized aliens.

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GOP gains in voter registration raise red flags for Democrats

Marc Meredith of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Nevada and New Jersey are two states that saw significant shifts towards the Republicans in November.

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National Catholic Reporter

Panel discusses the Catholic case for a second New Deal

John Dilulio of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about the value of private-public partnerships, the interconnectedness between good jobs and good family outcomes, and the role of Catholics as a key constituency of the New Deal.

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The New York Times

Europe has a leadership vacuum. How will it handle Trump?

Amy Gutmann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Germany is front and center in the economic problems currently afflicting Europe.

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Yahoo! Finance

Tesla investors, analysts have questions on the potential of robotaxis and self-driving

Cary Coglianese of Penn Carey Law says that there’s a real risk with robotaxis if federal regulators move too fast.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Civil discourse: Tips for navigating potentially divisive discussions around the holiday table

Research co-authored by Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences found that political discussions between members of opposing voting parties helped reduce polarization and negative views of the other side.

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