Principal speaker
Thad Kousser
American Political Polarization and the Presidential Race of 2016
The defining trend in American politics over the past generation has been the polarization of the nation’s parties, with Democrats and Republican moving further and further apart on the ideological spectrum. What are the roots of this shift, and how do they impact elections and policymaking today? Has polarization occurred purely among political leaders, or have voters moved apart as well? What can data from state governments tell us about national polarization? How might today’s political dynamic shape how the next presidential election will be contested? Professor Kousser will address these questions by looking at the history of polarization and its modern manifestations in America – and comparing both to partisan trends in Australian politics.
Thad Kousser is the 2015 Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair in American Political Science, and Professor of Political Science at UC San Diego. He has authored, co-authored, or edited the books The Power of American Governors (Cambridge University Press, 2012), The Logic of American Politics, 7th Edition (CQ Press, forthcoming), Politics in the American States, 10th Edition (CQ Press, 2012), The New Political Geography of California (Berkeley Public Policy Press, 2008), Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism (Cambridge University Press, 2005), and Adapting to Term Limits: Recent Experiences and New Directions (Public Policy Institute of California, 2004). He is a recipient of the UCSD Academic Senate's Distinguished Teaching Award, the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award, served as co-editor of the journal State Politics and Policy Quarterly, and has worked as a staff assistant in the California, New Mexico, and United States Senates.
When: Tuesday 21 April, 10:00am - 11:30am
Where: N16, meeting room 1.44, nathan campus
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RSVP on or before Thursday 16 April 2015 , by email n.vary@griffith.edu.au , or by phone 37355322