Political Science | Penn Today

four profiles of women in white and purple ink

VAWA renewal is overdue—but approval is contentious

The landmark 1994 legislation—the Violence Against Women Act—is up for reauthorization, and includes a firearm-related provision.

Why the speech George H.W. Bush didn’t give may be his most important

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said the late George Bush’s notable restraint after the Berlin Wall fell characterized his presidency. “Sometimes the right thing to do is not celebrate and engage in a rhetoric of triumph,” she said.

After a stressful election, experts warn blockchain is not the answer

Matt Blaze of the School of Engineering and Applied Science weighed in on blockchain voting. “The charlatans pushing for blockchain elections and online voting are doing the equivalent of advocating a healthcare policy that assumes we’re about to cure cancer,” Blaze tweeted. “Maybe we will, but best not to bet on it.”

VIPs cutting the Perelman building ribbon

New Ronald O. Perelman Center looks to the future while preserving the past

For the first time, the School of Arts and Sciences’ departments of Political Science and Economics will coexist in the same building.

Founding fathers meeting to sign the Declaration of Independence

Meet the ‘original typical Penn student’

“Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father,” by creative writing lecturer Stephen Fried, explores the life of Benjamin Rush, who had many ties to the University and is an oft-overlooked figurehead of the American Revolution.

Would ex-felon voting rights have flipped Florida for Democrats? It’s possible.

The School of Arts and Sciences’ Marc Meredith was cited for his research on Florida’s Amendment 4’s possible impact on election results. “Had all ex-felons been eligible to vote in Florida in 2016,” said Meredith, “we estimate that this would have generated about 102,000 additional votes for Democrats and about 54,000 additional votes for Republicans, with about an additional 40,000 votes that could be cast on behalf of either party.”

A split between the House and Senate isn’t the worst thing, says Jeremy Siegel

“A split congress isn’t the worst thing,” said the Wharton School’s Jeremy Siegel, discussing potential results of the midterm election. “Some of the greatest markets we had were during the Clinton administration.”

China’s beating the U.S. to market on combat drones, by copying U.S. technology

In response to reports of China’s efforts to replicate U.S. drone designs, Michael Horowitz of the School of Arts and Sciences said, “China’s reveal once again highlights that American military technical leadership is not inevitable. China and others are actively competing, and it will take sustained American effort to stay ahead.”

John Lapinski surrounded by Penn undergraduate workers with NBC's Elections Unit

Q&A

Behind the scenes of election night projections

John Lapinski, director of elections at NBC and the Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor of Political Science at Penn, discusses projecting elections and what to expect from the midterms.

Lorene Cary leading a discussion in her safekids class

Writing with purpose

Students in Lorene Cary’s creative writing course focus on voting, midterm elections, and exploring the big questions of their generation.

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