Bastian Becker
@beckerbastian.bsky.social
Political scientist @ Humboldt University Berlin
www.beckerbastian.net
www.beckerbastian.net
Pinned
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation | Journal of Public Policy | Cambridge Core
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation
cup.org
🚨Elites often warn: taxing the rich hurts everyone.
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
Reposted by Bastian Becker
New Publication with @lhaffert.bsky.social in @ejprjournal.bsky.social!
We study the role of generations in the urban-rural divide, which is increasingly shaping the politics of many democracies.
Studying Switzerland, we show: The urban-rural divide is stronger among younger generations. (1/10) 🧵👇
We study the role of generations in the urban-rural divide, which is increasingly shaping the politics of many democracies.
Studying Switzerland, we show: The urban-rural divide is stronger among younger generations. (1/10) 🧵👇
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 AM
New Publication with @lhaffert.bsky.social in @ejprjournal.bsky.social!
We study the role of generations in the urban-rural divide, which is increasingly shaping the politics of many democracies.
Studying Switzerland, we show: The urban-rural divide is stronger among younger generations. (1/10) 🧵👇
We study the role of generations in the urban-rural divide, which is increasingly shaping the politics of many democracies.
Studying Switzerland, we show: The urban-rural divide is stronger among younger generations. (1/10) 🧵👇
Reposted by Bastian Becker
AI presents a fundamental threat to our ability to use polls to assess public opinion. Bad actors who are able to infiltrate panels can flip close election polls for less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee. Models will also infer and confirm hypotheses in experiments. Current quality checks fail
November 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
AI presents a fundamental threat to our ability to use polls to assess public opinion. Bad actors who are able to infiltrate panels can flip close election polls for less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee. Models will also infer and confirm hypotheses in experiments. Current quality checks fail
Reposted by Bastian Becker
📣 New op-ed in Süddeutsche Zeitung: What the data say about the “Brandmauer”
I summarize key findings from a study with @anninahermes.bsky.social across 57 democracies
➡️ Far-right parties don’t get weaker in government, they get stronger (~6 points by the next election)
tinyurl.com/4j6jaud2
I summarize key findings from a study with @anninahermes.bsky.social across 57 democracies
➡️ Far-right parties don’t get weaker in government, they get stronger (~6 points by the next election)
tinyurl.com/4j6jaud2
Demokratie: Wenn die Rechte mitregiert, wird sie nicht geschwächt – im Gegenteil
Eine Untersuchung von 57 Ländern zeigt: Wenn die Rechte in Verantwortung kommt, gewinnt sie dazu. Daraus lässt sich für Deutschland lernen.
www.sueddeutsche.de
November 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
📣 New op-ed in Süddeutsche Zeitung: What the data say about the “Brandmauer”
I summarize key findings from a study with @anninahermes.bsky.social across 57 democracies
➡️ Far-right parties don’t get weaker in government, they get stronger (~6 points by the next election)
tinyurl.com/4j6jaud2
I summarize key findings from a study with @anninahermes.bsky.social across 57 democracies
➡️ Far-right parties don’t get weaker in government, they get stronger (~6 points by the next election)
tinyurl.com/4j6jaud2
Today at the Politics Lecture Series @humboldtuni.bsky.social
Frank Borge Wietzke (IBEI) will give a talk on "The Puzzle of Africa's 'Class Conscious' Farmers"
Join us if you are in Berlin! 12pm, ISW #002
Frank Borge Wietzke (IBEI) will give a talk on "The Puzzle of Africa's 'Class Conscious' Farmers"
Join us if you are in Berlin! 12pm, ISW #002
November 18, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Today at the Politics Lecture Series @humboldtuni.bsky.social
Frank Borge Wietzke (IBEI) will give a talk on "The Puzzle of Africa's 'Class Conscious' Farmers"
Join us if you are in Berlin! 12pm, ISW #002
Frank Borge Wietzke (IBEI) will give a talk on "The Puzzle of Africa's 'Class Conscious' Farmers"
Join us if you are in Berlin! 12pm, ISW #002
🥳 Hyped about our new publication! 🥳
Can't tax the rich because it will harm the economy?
People don't think so! 👇
Can't tax the rich because it will harm the economy?
People don't think so! 👇
A new interesting article by @beckerbastian.bsky.social , @bcastanho.bsky.social and Hanna Lierse is now available on our FirstView page. It is entitled "Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation". Enjoy it here: tinyurl.com/2cc7x4jf
November 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🥳 Hyped about our new publication! 🥳
Can't tax the rich because it will harm the economy?
People don't think so! 👇
Can't tax the rich because it will harm the economy?
People don't think so! 👇
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Very interesting paper — and highly relevant to current Swiss politics.
📮 Swiss voters will decide on a 50% inheritance tax for bequests exceeding CHF 50 million (only the portion above 50 million would be taxed) on 30.11.2025.
📮 Swiss voters will decide on a 50% inheritance tax for bequests exceeding CHF 50 million (only the portion above 50 million would be taxed) on 30.11.2025.
🚨Elites often warn: taxing the rich hurts everyone.
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation | Journal of Public Policy | Cambridge Core
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation
cup.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Very interesting paper — and highly relevant to current Swiss politics.
📮 Swiss voters will decide on a 50% inheritance tax for bequests exceeding CHF 50 million (only the portion above 50 million would be taxed) on 30.11.2025.
📮 Swiss voters will decide on a 50% inheritance tax for bequests exceeding CHF 50 million (only the portion above 50 million would be taxed) on 30.11.2025.
🚨Elites often warn: taxing the rich hurts everyone.
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation | Journal of Public Policy | Cambridge Core
Taxing your cake and growing it too: public beliefs on the dual benefits of progressive taxation
cup.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
🚨Elites often warn: taxing the rich hurts everyone.
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
🤔But do citizens buy that story?
With @bcastanho.bsky.social & Hanna Lierse, we find: They don’t! Most people believe progressive taxes can deliver both — more equality and more growth. @jpublicpolicy.bsky.social #openaccess cup.org/3JVuvHm
Reposted by Bastian Becker
🚨 New working paper alert 🚨
Missing summer — and the Tour de France? Don’t worry, we got you covered. 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
In this paper, we show that being on the route of Tour de France reduces far-right voting. osf.io/preprints/so...
Missing summer — and the Tour de France? Don’t worry, we got you covered. 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
In this paper, we show that being on the route of Tour de France reduces far-right voting. osf.io/preprints/so...
September 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
🚨 New working paper alert 🚨
Missing summer — and the Tour de France? Don’t worry, we got you covered. 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
In this paper, we show that being on the route of Tour de France reduces far-right voting. osf.io/preprints/so...
Missing summer — and the Tour de France? Don’t worry, we got you covered. 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
In this paper, we show that being on the route of Tour de France reduces far-right voting. osf.io/preprints/so...
Reposted by Bastian Becker
🚨 Reposting to avoid any confusion between EPSS & EPSA 🚨
If you want to support non-for-profit, member-led political science association, EPSS is the place to be!
More here 👇🏽
If you want to support non-for-profit, member-led political science association, EPSS is the place to be!
More here 👇🏽
EPSA have announced that they will hold a conference in July 2026.
😵💫 We understand that there might be some confusion about EPSS and EPSA.
👉🏽 So we thought we would clarify some things.
A short 🧵
😵💫 We understand that there might be some confusion about EPSS and EPSA.
👉🏽 So we thought we would clarify some things.
A short 🧵
September 10, 2025 at 7:39 AM
🚨 Reposting to avoid any confusion between EPSS & EPSA 🚨
If you want to support non-for-profit, member-led political science association, EPSS is the place to be!
More here 👇🏽
If you want to support non-for-profit, member-led political science association, EPSS is the place to be!
More here 👇🏽
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Yesterday EPSS was founded, today we answer members’ questions.
A 🧵
1. Who formed EPSS?
EPSS was founded by a supermajority vote of the EPSA Council, made up of 3 EPSAL shareholders & 9 elected, appointed, or ex officio members.
1/
A 🧵
1. Who formed EPSS?
EPSS was founded by a supermajority vote of the EPSA Council, made up of 3 EPSAL shareholders & 9 elected, appointed, or ex officio members.
1/
June 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Yesterday EPSS was founded, today we answer members’ questions.
A 🧵
1. Who formed EPSS?
EPSS was founded by a supermajority vote of the EPSA Council, made up of 3 EPSAL shareholders & 9 elected, appointed, or ex officio members.
1/
A 🧵
1. Who formed EPSS?
EPSS was founded by a supermajority vote of the EPSA Council, made up of 3 EPSAL shareholders & 9 elected, appointed, or ex officio members.
1/
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Neu im @pwportal:
Wir starten die PPRnet Brief Serie zur politischen Machbarkeit von Klimapolitik mit der Einleitung: „Klimapolitik – aber machbar“.
Warum Klimapolitik nur wirkt, wenn sie tragfähig ist
#Klima #Polisky #PPRnet
Mit @bjoernbremer.bsky.social & Jane Gingrich
Wir starten die PPRnet Brief Serie zur politischen Machbarkeit von Klimapolitik mit der Einleitung: „Klimapolitik – aber machbar“.
Warum Klimapolitik nur wirkt, wenn sie tragfähig ist
#Klima #Polisky #PPRnet
Mit @bjoernbremer.bsky.social & Jane Gingrich
Wie kann wirksame Klimapolitik mehrheitsfähig werden? Zu dieser Frage veröffentlichen wir diese Woche Policy-Briefs, die den Stand der sozialwissenschaftlichen Forschung zusammenfassen. Zur Einführung von @bjoernbremer.bsky.social, @hannaschwander.bsky.social & Jane Gingrich. #pprn #polisky #klima
Portal für Politikwissenschaft – Klimapolitik, aber machbar? Sozialwissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse
www.pw-portal.de
June 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Neu im @pwportal:
Wir starten die PPRnet Brief Serie zur politischen Machbarkeit von Klimapolitik mit der Einleitung: „Klimapolitik – aber machbar“.
Warum Klimapolitik nur wirkt, wenn sie tragfähig ist
#Klima #Polisky #PPRnet
Mit @bjoernbremer.bsky.social & Jane Gingrich
Wir starten die PPRnet Brief Serie zur politischen Machbarkeit von Klimapolitik mit der Einleitung: „Klimapolitik – aber machbar“.
Warum Klimapolitik nur wirkt, wenn sie tragfähig ist
#Klima #Polisky #PPRnet
Mit @bjoernbremer.bsky.social & Jane Gingrich
📢Come and join the Politics Lecture Series @humboldtuni.bsky.social
Berlin next week:
Kris-Stella Trump, JHU (@kstrump.bsky.social)
"Perceptions of Income vs Wealth Inequality: A distinction without a difference?"
When? Tuesday, June 17, 12pm
Where? ISW #002
All welcome!
Berlin next week:
Kris-Stella Trump, JHU (@kstrump.bsky.social)
"Perceptions of Income vs Wealth Inequality: A distinction without a difference?"
When? Tuesday, June 17, 12pm
Where? ISW #002
All welcome!
June 13, 2025 at 2:26 PM
📢Come and join the Politics Lecture Series @humboldtuni.bsky.social
Berlin next week:
Kris-Stella Trump, JHU (@kstrump.bsky.social)
"Perceptions of Income vs Wealth Inequality: A distinction without a difference?"
When? Tuesday, June 17, 12pm
Where? ISW #002
All welcome!
Berlin next week:
Kris-Stella Trump, JHU (@kstrump.bsky.social)
"Perceptions of Income vs Wealth Inequality: A distinction without a difference?"
When? Tuesday, June 17, 12pm
Where? ISW #002
All welcome!
Today's speaker at the Politics Lecture Series is @na-wehl.bsky.social!
Join us at noon @humboldtuni.bsky.social to learn about what the kids are up to these days: "Perceptions of Unfairness and Political Engagement among Adolescents"
Join us at noon @humboldtuni.bsky.social to learn about what the kids are up to these days: "Perceptions of Unfairness and Political Engagement among Adolescents"
📣 We are very excited to announce the next iteration of the Politics Lecture Series @humboldtuni.bsky.social for the summer term 2025 🥳 Come and join us for many exciting talks!
May 13, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Today's speaker at the Politics Lecture Series is @na-wehl.bsky.social!
Join us at noon @humboldtuni.bsky.social to learn about what the kids are up to these days: "Perceptions of Unfairness and Political Engagement among Adolescents"
Join us at noon @humboldtuni.bsky.social to learn about what the kids are up to these days: "Perceptions of Unfairness and Political Engagement among Adolescents"
What's the future of historical political economy in Europe? To find out, we (w/ @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @lhaffert.bsky.social) conducted a survey and workshop. Here are our main take-aways. Special thanks to all who participated!
New Broadstreet post!
By Lukas Haffert, Cathrin Mohr, and Bastian Becker
www.broadstreet.blog/p/the-future...
By Lukas Haffert, Cathrin Mohr, and Bastian Becker
www.broadstreet.blog/p/the-future...
The Future of Historical Political Economy in Europe
By Bastian Becker (Humboldt-University of Berlin), Lukas Haffert (University of Geneva), Cathrin Mohr (University of Bonn)
www.broadstreet.blog
May 13, 2025 at 5:36 AM
What's the future of historical political economy in Europe? To find out, we (w/ @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @lhaffert.bsky.social) conducted a survey and workshop. Here are our main take-aways. Special thanks to all who participated!
Super excited about our forthcoming paper @europeansocieties.bsky.social on how the origins of wealth shape demands for redistribution 👇 (full thread to follow soon)
Forthcoming in European Societies and already at OSF Preprints: @beckerbastian.bsky.social and @norawaitkus.bsky.social's "Undeserving Heirs: How the Origins of Wealth Shape Attitudes Towards Redistribution"
Link: osf.io/preprints/os...
Link: osf.io/preprints/os...
April 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Super excited about our forthcoming paper @europeansocieties.bsky.social on how the origins of wealth shape demands for redistribution 👇 (full thread to follow soon)
Reposted by Bastian Becker
🚨 please share!
We will be running our annual workshop on the political economy of development in Berlin @wzb.bsky.social in June.
This is a really fun workshop doing deep reads of a small number of new papers.
Call for papers / participants below! ⬇️
www.wzb.eu/en/events/mo...
We will be running our annual workshop on the political economy of development in Berlin @wzb.bsky.social in June.
This is a really fun workshop doing deep reads of a small number of new papers.
Call for papers / participants below! ⬇️
www.wzb.eu/en/events/mo...
MoPED Workshop
Berlin Meeting on the Political Economy of Development (MoPED) -- The MoPED workshop offers an opportunity for scholars who focus on the political economy of development, broadly defined, to build...
www.wzb.eu
February 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
🚨 please share!
We will be running our annual workshop on the political economy of development in Berlin @wzb.bsky.social in June.
This is a really fun workshop doing deep reads of a small number of new papers.
Call for papers / participants below! ⬇️
www.wzb.eu/en/events/mo...
We will be running our annual workshop on the political economy of development in Berlin @wzb.bsky.social in June.
This is a really fun workshop doing deep reads of a small number of new papers.
Call for papers / participants below! ⬇️
www.wzb.eu/en/events/mo...
On Jan 29, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU broke a longstanding taboo by accepting votes from the far-right AfD. How did German citizens respond? A preliminary analysis of an ongoing survey suggests that the conservatives might have actually benefited from their move (at least in the short term). 1/5
February 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
On Jan 29, Germany's conservative CDU/CSU broke a longstanding taboo by accepting votes from the far-right AfD. How did German citizens respond? A preliminary analysis of an ongoing survey suggests that the conservatives might have actually benefited from their move (at least in the short term). 1/5
Don't miss tomorrow's @humboldtuni.bsky.social Politics Lecture Series, with an exciting talk by @markuswagner.bsky.social - all welcome!
February 10, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Don't miss tomorrow's @humboldtuni.bsky.social Politics Lecture Series, with an exciting talk by @markuswagner.bsky.social - all welcome!
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Many thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social and @beckerbastian.bsky.social for a very interesting Workshop on Historical Political Economy in Europe with great scholars and inspiring discussions.
February 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Many thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social and @beckerbastian.bsky.social for a very interesting Workshop on Historical Political Economy in Europe with great scholars and inspiring discussions.
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Fantastic Scoping Workshop on the Historical Political Economy in Europe! Who knew PoliSci and EconHist do not wear such different hats?
Huge thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @beckerbastian.bsky.social for an inspiring deep dive.
Learned a lot!
Huge thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @beckerbastian.bsky.social for an inspiring deep dive.
Learned a lot!
February 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Fantastic Scoping Workshop on the Historical Political Economy in Europe! Who knew PoliSci and EconHist do not wear such different hats?
Huge thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @beckerbastian.bsky.social for an inspiring deep dive.
Learned a lot!
Huge thanks to @lhaffert.bsky.social @cathrinmohr.bsky.social @beckerbastian.bsky.social for an inspiring deep dive.
Learned a lot!
Today at noon, join us if you are in Berlin 👇
Next week at the @humboldtuni.bsky.social Politics Lecture Series, we will have an exciting talk by @deandulay.bsky.social, all welcome!
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
February 4, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Today at noon, join us if you are in Berlin 👇
Reposted by Bastian Becker
Broadstreet -- the interdisciplinary blog on historical political economy is now back in a new and improved format on substack! One of our editors @sgehlbach.bsky.social has a new post up. You can find it here: www.broadstreet.blog/p/understand...
Understanding Digital History
At Broadstreet, we occasionally sit down with other scholars to discuss their work.
www.broadstreet.blog
February 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Broadstreet -- the interdisciplinary blog on historical political economy is now back in a new and improved format on substack! One of our editors @sgehlbach.bsky.social has a new post up. You can find it here: www.broadstreet.blog/p/understand...
Next week at the @humboldtuni.bsky.social Politics Lecture Series, we will have an exciting talk by @deandulay.bsky.social, all welcome!
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
January 30, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Next week at the @humboldtuni.bsky.social Politics Lecture Series, we will have an exciting talk by @deandulay.bsky.social, all welcome!
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
🗣️ "The Search for Spices and Souls: Catholic Missions as Colonial State in the Philippines"
⏰Tuesday (Feb 4), 12-1pm, ISW #002
Are you a political scientist, economist, or sociologist working historically? If you are also based at a European institution, we want to learn more about you!! Please consider filling in our survey (until Jan 20th).
Take a look & spread the word, thanks! 👇
Take a look & spread the word, thanks! 👇
Is your research in Historical Political Economy and are you based in Europe? @beckerbastian.bsky.social, @cathrinmohr.bsky.social and I seek to map the current state as well as the future potential of the field in Europe. Help us to do so by taking our 15-minute survey: forms.gle/kXXsGQZUVtrH...
Historical Political Economy - Insights from Europe
Thank you for your interest in our survey.
We are a team of researchers based at the Humboldt-University of Berlin, University of Bonn and University of Geneva. The goal of this survey is to map the ...
forms.gle
January 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Are you a political scientist, economist, or sociologist working historically? If you are also based at a European institution, we want to learn more about you!! Please consider filling in our survey (until Jan 20th).
Take a look & spread the word, thanks! 👇
Take a look & spread the word, thanks! 👇
Reposted by Bastian Becker
If you do research on Historical Political Economy and are based in Europe, please consider participating in our survey.
Is your research in Historical Political Economy and are you based in Europe? @beckerbastian.bsky.social, @cathrinmohr.bsky.social and I seek to map the current state as well as the future potential of the field in Europe. Help us to do so by taking our 15-minute survey: forms.gle/kXXsGQZUVtrH...
Historical Political Economy - Insights from Europe
Thank you for your interest in our survey.
We are a team of researchers based at the Humboldt-University of Berlin, University of Bonn and University of Geneva. The goal of this survey is to map the ...
forms.gle
December 23, 2024 at 9:21 AM
If you do research on Historical Political Economy and are based in Europe, please consider participating in our survey.