Political science

Looking under the surface of politics in Latin America

Associate Professor Danny Hidalgo’s work reveals some difficult truths about money, elections, and political influence.

September 24, 2019

Computing and artificial intelligence: Humanistic perspectives from MIT

How the humanities, arts, and social science fields can help shape the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing — and benefit from advanced computing.

September 24, 2019

Richard Samuels, the Ford International Professor of Political Science and director of the MIT Center for International Studies, introduces Suzanne Berger, MIT’s John M. Deutch Institute Professor, and Jan-Werner Mueller, a professor of politics at Princeton University, at MIT’s Starr Forum event on global populism, Sept. 12.

Understanding populism

At MIT forum, scholars wrestle with the dynamics of a global political trend.

September 16, 2019

A new study co-authored by MIT scholars examines the impact of political information on voter behavior, under a variety of conditions. The schematic images here represent voter information networks, ranging from those with connections across political parties, upper left, to those with no contact between opposing party members, bottom right.

How “information gerrymandering” influences voters

Study analyzes how networks can distort voters’ perceptions and change election results.

September 4, 2019

“I chose MIT because no other political science graduate program had such strengths in both East Asia and security studies,” says Fiona Cunningham PhD ’19. “I want to understand the changing nature of warfare and how new technologies have become both opportunities and restraints for countries in international politics.”

The intersection of technology and war

MIT excels in teaching the science and technology associated with the operation of societies, businesses, and militaries, says Fiona Cunningham PhD ’19.

August 13, 2019

Certain kinds of political media affect a cross-section of viewers in different ways, and to varying degrees, new research shows.

Does cable news shape your views?

MIT study finds partisan news coverage has a bigger impact on viewers without strong media preferences.

August 7, 2019

Luis Videgaray PhD ’98, former foreign minister and finance minister of Mexico, is coming to MIT to spearhead an effort that aims to help shape global AI policies, focusing on how such rising technologies will affect people living in all corners of the world.

Visiting lecturer to spearhead project exploring the geopolitics of artificial intelligence

At MIT, Luis Videgaray, alumnus and former foreign minister of Mexico, will launch project to help shape international AI policies.

July 12, 2019

Suzanne Berger named inaugural John M. Deutch Institute Professor

Political scientist awarded MIT’s highest faculty honor in new titled position.

July 10, 2019

"This is an exhilarating time for MIT, and for political science in particular, as we navigate an evolving intellectual landscape" says David Singer, professor of political science and head of the Department of Political Science.

David Singer named head of the Department of Political Science

Singer is a scholar of international political economy, a subfield of political science focused on international economic relations.

July 9, 2019

“For more than 40 years, the faculty, fellows, and students of SSP have been conducting policy-relevant and rigorous research on questions of war and peace, both among states and within them. I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as director and look forward to working with my SSP and MIT colleagues in this new role,” says M. Taylor Fravel, the Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of P...

Taylor Fravel named director of the MIT Security Studies Program

Barry Posen announces the leadership transition, welcomes the infusion of new energy.

July 1, 2019

A new study on European public opinion, co-authored by an MIT political scientist, aggregates public opinion polls from 27 countries over a span of 36 years, creating new insight into broad trends and changes in European politics and society.

Public opinion study in Europe shows drop in anti-immigration sentiment, among other changes

Surveys spanning recent decades also reveal geographic differences and gender gap in economic views.

May 16, 2019

“Academic training rarely covers the importance of engaging with policymakers or provides the tools necessary to do so effectively,” says Dan Pomeroy (left), PL@CIS managing director and senior policy adviser. Chappel Lawson is on the right.

MIT Policy Lab launches MITx course on policy outreach

The new online course aims to help researchers engage with public policymakers.

May 16, 2019

A survey team led by grad student Andrew Miller displays use of the virtual reality equipment, which helped elicit feedback on providing information about crimes in Lagos, Nigeria.

Caught between criminals and cops

Using virtual reality, doctoral candidate Andrew Miller gauges citizens' faith in law enforcement in the face of gang violence.

May 13, 2019

Of students like MIT-Israel intern Seji Engelkemier, shown in Ein Avdat, Faculty Director Eran Ben-Joseph says: "MIT-Israel students come back with both a deep understanding of the region while taking their course of study to the next level. Both aspects of their Israel experience are invaluable, and they take them with them far beyond their time at MIT."

Cornerstone donation sparks bright future for MISTI MIT-Israel program

Arthur Samberg '62 donates $1 million to sustain the program for years to come.

May 9, 2019

A new agreement will help initiate research collaborations between scholars at MIT and IIT-Ropar that respond to water- and food-sector challenges in India. IIT Ropar is located in Punjab, a primarily agriculture-based region of India, and has interdisciplinary centers focusing on water and agriculture.

New seed fund to address food, water, and agriculture in India

MIT-India, J-WAFS, and the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar launch fund to facilitate collaborations between faculty and scientists from MIT and ITT Ropar.