Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Democracy is under threat. From Venezuela to Turkey, from Hungary to the Philippines, powerful leaders are rewriting their countries norms and laws to secure power at the expense of their citizens. Professor Steven Levitsky tells us how democracies die – and what the outlook is for America. For More on this Topic: Check out Levitsky's book with Daniel Ziblatt, How Democracies Die Read their OpEd o...

America is getting more diverse, and that means more children of color are students in our schools. But teachers are still overwhelmingly white, so many of these students rarely see teachers who look like them. Professor Michèle Foster tells the little-known story of why America lost many of its black teachers, what that means for students, and what can be done to change things. For More on this T...

There are thousands of civic organizations in America, from big-time lobbying groups to local grassroots organizations, and they all want your time and support. But some organizations are more effective at creating change than others. Professor Ziad Munson explains what kinds of organizations have been most successful in shaping American public life – and why. For More on this Topic: Read Munson's...

Unions used to be a major political force in America. But over the last few decades they have steadily declined, and now a Supreme Court case might deal another severe blow to their strength. Professor Jake Rosenfeld explains what the Supreme Court is deciding on and what it means for the future of organized labor in America. For More on this Topic: Read Rosenfeld's SSN brief " Union Decline and R...

In 1973, the Supreme Court made access to abortions a legal right. Since then, crisis pregnancy centers have popped up across the country to dissuade women from getting abortions. Professor Kimberly Kelly explains the history and organization behind these centers and how their current case before the Supreme Court could shape reproductive rights in America. For More on this Topic: Read Kelly's SSN...

The opioid epidemic is ravaging communities across America and there's no silver bullet to fix it. But communicating to people about risks and steps to prevent addiction is a start. Professor Itzhak Yanovitzky describes how New Jersey uses information to help fight the opioid epidemic and how his research partnership with the state helps to improve these efforts. For More on this Topic: Read this...

Following the 2016 election, suburban well-educated women got together in PTA groups, libraries, and coffee shops to organize—some for the first time. Professor Lara Putnam shares insights on how these groups work, what their goals are, and why they have been so effective at mobilizing voters. For More on this Topic: Read Putnam's pieces in the Democracy Journal , Middle America Reboots Democracy...

America—the world's wealthiest country—is home to over 40 million people living under the poverty line. And for many, there is no safety net to fall back on. Professor Joan Maya Mazelis explains how we got here and highlights one innovative organization, run by and for poor people, that builds community among the poor and provides help when the safety net is missing. For More on this Topic: Check...

The Founding Fathers made sure to put checks in place that would prevent a president from becoming a king. But Professor Larry Jacobs explains that when it comes to foreign policy, the president goes largely unchecked. Next, Professor Frances Lee outlines the ways Congress has rebuked presidential power, even under the current administration. And finally, Professor Keith Whittington takes us to th...

US politics is built around two parties, but recently there have been growing rifts between and within them. First, Professor Eliot Cohen explains why some Republicans, like himself, left the party after the 2016 election. Next, Professor Didi Kuo highlights the importance of political parties for democracy and why many voters feel disconnected from them. For More on this Topic: Read Cohen's artic...

From Sean Hannity to Rachel Maddow, TV and radio hosts are taking stronger ideological stances, telling audiences what is right and wrong in America. Professor Sarah Sobieraj examines this "outrage industry" and what it means for the millions who tune in. Later, she dives into new research on the attacks women face in online spaces. For More on this Topic: Read Sobieraj's and Berry's book, The Out...

At only 20 percent, the number of US Congressional seats held by women ranks 101st in the world. Saskia Brechenmacher explains why this underrepresentation is bad for our democracy and looks at examples abroad to see how we might close the gap. For More on this Topic: Read Brechenmacher's paper, Closing the Gender Gap in U.S. Politics: Lessons from Europe Read her OpEd in The Hill, American Politi...

Immigration enforcement measures used to be concentrated on America's borders. But as Professor Yalidy Matos outlines, federal agencies are increasingly partnering with local law enforcement to carry out deportations, leaving immigrant communities uncertain about their futures. For More on this Topic: Read Matos' brief, How America's 1996 Immigration Act Set the Stage for Increasingly Localized an...

For undocumented youth, the chance to receive legal status would be a life changer. Professor Amy Hsin shows how legalization could encourage young immigrants to get a college degree and even reduce the national deficit, all without threatening the wages of U.S. born workers. For More on this Topic: Read Hsin's opinion piece in The Hill , How the DREAM Act Can Actually Lower the Deficit Check out...

Family, education, and work—for undocumented people in the U.S., these areas of life are filled with uncertainty. As Professor Roberto Gonzales explains, growing up undocumented can throw your future into limbo. For More on this Topic: Read Gonzales' book, Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America Check out his piece for Vox , " I Study Young Undocumented Immigrants. Here's How DAC...

It's no secret. Our political future is uncertain and unpredictable. Author and scholar Yascha Mounk outlines how economic inequality, a backlash against increasing diversity, and the rise of social media all threaten democracies across the globe—and what we can do to save them. For More on this Topic: Read Mounk's new book, The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It...

Birth control has helped many avoid unwanted pregnancies, but getting access to it can be a challenge. Professor Anu Manchikanti Gómez dives deep into a law that tried to change this by giving pharmacists the power to prescribe birth control. The only problem, is anyone using it? For More on this Topic: Read Gómez's brief, Tracking the Implementation of a California Law Allowing Pharmacists to Pre...

Ballot questions let voters decide on big issues. But with ad campaigns and special interests, reliable information can be hard to find. Professor John Gastil outlines an innovative solution—give a small group of citizens all of the information they need to make up their minds and share their findings with fellow voters. For More on this Topic: Read Gastil's two-page brief on Citizens' Initiative...

Raising taxes on the rich encourages job creators to skip town. Or so say some economists and policymakers. This week, Professor Cristobal Young dispels the myth of millionaires leaving high tax states and shows the many ways the wealthy are invested in the places they live. For More on this Topic: Read Young's piece in The Washington Post on millionaire taxes. Check out Young's easy to read book,...

Prescription drugs are expensive. But for years, a little-known program has given some hospitals discounts to help them provide care for low-income and uninsured patients. Professor Sayeh Nikpay explains why this program is now under fire and what this means for America's safety net. For More on this Topic: Read Nikpay's piece in the Health Affairs Blog on the 340B program   Further Reading: Episo...

We all want innovative policies that propel our nation forward. But getting things done in DC isn't always easy. This week, Thomas Kalil joins us to share some of the practical lessons he learned during his years working in the White House—have a concrete plan of action, make it easy, and don't worry about who gets the credit. For more on this Topic: Read Kalil's essay, Policy Entrepreneurship at...

In 1965, the passage of the Voting Rights Act helped secure equal access to the ballot, and it has enjoyed bipartisan support ever since. Right? Professor Rhodes shows how, over the years, politicians who publicly supported this law worked behind the scenes to dismantle it. For More on this Topic: Read Rhodes' book, Ballot Blocked Check out his opinion piece in The Washington Post Further Reading:...

The 2018 midterms are rapidly approaching and voters want to believe they're going to make rational choices at the polls. But as Professor Casey Klofstad explains, there is an unexpected factor influencing voter behavior and affecting our elections—the tone of a candidate's voice. For More on this Topic: Read Klofstad's article in The Scientific American , How Voice Pitch Influences Our Choice of...

A $50 citation, $100 in court costs—for many Americans navigating the criminal justice system, fines and fees like these add up quickly. Professor Alexes Harris reveals why local governments charge convicts to pay for the justice system and how this disproportionately burdens marginalized people and communities. For More on this Topic: Read Harris's  OpEd in the New York Times , Justice Shouldn't...

Professors all across the country have expertise that can improve public policy, but how can they get their research into the hands that matter? Professor Lee Badgett provides the tips and tools scholars need to make these connections in the new year and tells the stories of a few successful public professors. For More on this Topic: Read Badgett's book, The Public Professor Find her two-page brie...