Michael A. Smith
An Academic Book Gets Noticed
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Political science books are not usually associated with book tours. Before 2024, I had published four academic books, one solo and the others co-authored. I certainly never did a book signing (not counting copies for…
The Case for (Revised) Political Theory
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University “So,” asked my friend, “have you gotten rid of theory yet?” I don’t think he was prepared for my emphatic, “No!” My friend is a political scientist at another university. He happened to be passing through town, so we had…
A Practical Politics Primer
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Note: The author discusses certain political views in this blog post. In sharing these personal opinions, he does not speak for his employer, for the Midwest Political Science Association, or for any of their respective…
Election 2024: Political Science First Takes
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Election 2024 is now in the books. While the last few ballots are still being counted, most of the winners and losers are now known. As usual, the breathless accounts of pundits and social media influencers often…
Gearing Up for the Election, the Political Science Way
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University It’s election time! This means plenty of excitement and trepidation. Some of it is valid, according to Political Science. Much of it is not. How can we use the tools of our discipline to separate the analysis from the…
Update: Restrictive New Voting Laws in the States
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University In 2022, my colleagues and I published our book Much Sound a Fury or the New Jim Crow? The Twenty First Century’s Restrictive New Voting Laws in the States, with SUNY Press. The project began when we met and formed a…
The Challenge of Teaching in an AI World
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University The first day of #MPSA2024 is in the books, and it’s gotten off to a strong start. All panels I attended today were well-attended and thought provoking. I wrapped up my workday by attending an excellent panel on…
#MPSA2024– This Is My Why
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Our world and our lives today are filled with all sorts of communications technology, making it possible for anyone with an Internet connection to meet up with people from all over the world without physically traveling…
U.S. States are Trying Political Scientist-Approved Voting Reforms. How's It Going?
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Most U.S. elections use plurality voting, in which the single candidate winning the most votes is elected, even if they fall short of a majority. If the election is partisan, chances are that the finalists were chosen in…
What’s the Matter with Thomas Frank?
by Michael A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, Emporia State University Earlier this month, Ohio voters voted to amend their state constitution to protect abortion rights, overturning a state law that banned abortion under most circumstances. Voters have also affirmed abortion rights in…