Eric Patashnik
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ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik
@ericpatashnik.bsky.social
3.3K followers 360 following 120 posts

Director of the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Brown University.
https://home.watson.brown.edu/people/faculty/watson-faculty/eric-patashnik

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Eric M. Patashnik is an American political scientist, author, professor of public policy and political science at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs and Department of Political Science at Brown University. .. more

Political science 41%
Economics 32%
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ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Apr 16
Today at 430pm -- my book panel with amazing discussants Andrea Campbell, David Mayhew, Jim Morone, moderated by @profwschiller.bsky.social
@watsoninstitute.bsky.social @brownupolisci.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR2C...
Eric Patashnik — Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age
Join the Watson Institute for a panel discussion about Professor Eric Patashnik’s new book, Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized ...
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Adam S. Posen, David Lazer , and 10 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 3d
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.

The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Trump's Schedule F Rule Finalized
A bizarro rule formally justifies politicizing public services
donmoynihan.substack.com

Reposted by Eric M. Patashnik

anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 5d
Extraordinary US government surveillance of ordinary people is beginning
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
www.washingtonpost.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 15d
www.amazon.com/Countermobil...
Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age (Chicago Studies in American Politics)
Amazon.com: Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age (Chicago Studies in American Politics): 9780226829890: Patashnik, Eric M.: Books
www.amazon.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 15d
Policy backlashes gain strength when they join elite leadership with grassroots protest. We have seen less of this combination in Trump 2.0 than under Trump 1.0 but it is starting to happen more.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u... 1/2
Democrats Refuse to Fund ICE After Shooting, Imperiling Spending Deal
www.nytimes.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 15d
www.amazon.com/Countermobil...
Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age (Chicago Studies in American Politics)
Amazon.com: Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age (Chicago Studies in American Politics): 9780226829890: Patashnik, Eric M.: Books
www.amazon.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 15d
Most policy backlash has come from reactionary groups since the 1960s. However, as I argued in my book, as "threats to the policy status quo increasingly emanate from the right, the incentives for liberal countermobilzation will likely strengthen." 1/2
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Videos From Minnesota Show How Aggressive ICE Has Gotten During Arrests and Encounters With Protesters
For weeks, residents have documented the impact of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign and captured many violent confrontations on camera.
www.nytimes.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 23d
Brown University's Taubman Center is searching for a postdoc in American politics and public opinion. @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social @taubmancenter.bsky.social

jobs.chronicle.com/job/37938823...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in American Politics & Public Opinion - Providence, Rhode Island job with Brown University | 37938823
This postdoctoral position offers early-career scholars the opportunity to pursue research focusing on American politics and public opinion
jobs.chronicle.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · 25d
[email protected] @taubmancenter.bsky.social is searching for a postdoc in American politics and public opinion. Please circulate.
members.apsanet.org/CAREERS/eJob...
American Political Science Association > Sign In
members.apsanet.org

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Jan 3
"A dismal scenario for the year 2100, even lacking any formal constitutional changes, would be a U.S. Congress...diminishing to city-council status, deprived of talent, media coverage, public attention, and real power as the executive branch expands to conduct an imperial role."
3/3

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Jan 3
"On the record, that kind of activity, however well-advised on policy grounds, is not auspicious for a balanced constitution. Congress, the courts, and popular rule all tend to pale before it... 2/3

Reposted by Stuart Shapiro

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Jan 3
Remarkable quote from David Mayhew, writing in 2005:

"For the twentieth-first century, a good bet for the chief menace to the American institutional mix is the White House's continuing flexing of military muscle in imperial enterprises abroad... 1/3

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Dec 30
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving remains a good value for students -- $36.10 for spring semester eBook rentals. @goldmanschool.bsky.social @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/a-p...
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience with policy analysis, best-selling authors Eugene Bardach and Eric M. Patashnik use practical tips and real-world examples to equip effective, accurate, ...
collegepublishing.sagepub.com

Reposted by Eric M. Patashnik

rickperlstein.bsky.social
Rick Perlstein @rickperlstein.bsky.social · Dec 28
An interview with me from January 2016 about what Trump might mean.

slate.com/news-and-pol...
Is This the End of the GOP as We Know It?
Rick Perlstein has established himself as the pre-eminent historian of modern conservatism. Starting in 2001, with Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater...
slate.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Scott L. Greer, Robert C. Richards , and 3 more

philiprocco.bsky.social
Phil Rocco @philiprocco.bsky.social · Dec 26
It has been a bracing moment for American federalism, with both unprecedented efforts to extend executive control over state and local govts, novel forms of subnational resistance. Where is federalism going? Paul Nolette and I have edited a new issue of Publius on that question. Short thread:
Table of Contents for Publius: The Journal of Federalism 56 (1, 2026): The Future of Federalism in the United States Articles Introduction: The Future of Federalism in the United States Paul Nolette and Philip Rocco Can Federalism Protect Subnational Liberal Democracy from Central Authoritarianism? James A. Gardner Tools of Subnational Democratic Subversion: A Taxonomy and Research Agenda Andrea Louise Campbell and Andrew Karch Money Is Not Enough: The Temporary Impact of Pandemic-Era Aid on American Fiscal Federalism Amanda Kass Federalism and the Future of US Minimum Wage Policy Shanna Rose Climate Federalism at a Crossroads: From Compensatory to Coercive and Mitigation to Adaptation Scott Moore Who Benefits From Federalism Claims in Federal Court? Lisa L. Miller US Federalism and the Political Economy of Territorial Status: Evidence from Puerto Rico Mariely Lopez-Santana Federalism and Polarization: How Can Research Be More Relevant? Carol S. Weissert Is the Picket Fence Still Standing? Tracing Administrative Federalism in the States Matthew J. Uttermark From Variables to Mechanisms in Federalism Research Scott L. Greer

Reposted by Eric M. Patashnik

watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
Watson School at Brown @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social · Dec 12
New Trending Globally #podcast: Shutdown politics, gerrymandering, and the role of Congress as Trump enters his lame-duck phase — @ericpatashnik.bsky.social & Rep. Kathy Manning discuss GOP resistance, Dem strategy, & why approval of Congress is so low ahead of midterms.
Shutdown politics, gerrymandering, and the role of Congress as Trump enters his lame-duck phase
Quickly and easily listen to Trending Globally: Politics and Policy for free!
ow.ly

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Robert Black, Eric M. Patashnik

jamellebouie.net
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · Dec 9
to quote myself on this
In truth, neither Congress nor the executive can claim to represent the undivided will of the American people. It is arguable whether such a thing even exists in the American system, as the public is not a single entity but an ever-shifting set of groups and interests. Congress represents the American people in their diverse and fractious unity, and the president represents a will of some of the people, briefly assembled for a fleeting purpose, to dissipate until it forms anew in the next election. It is simply a conceptual error to think of democratic legitimacy as a grant embedded in a single person. It’s better to see it as a relationship between our political institutions and the publics they serve, each responsive to the other as they work together to do the business of government.

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Sanford F. Schram, Stephen D. Murphy , and 1 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Dec 7
This guy gets it
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
“It’s the logical endpoint to unitary executive theory,” said Don Moynihan, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan. “Their desired end goal would be to arrive at a completely ‘at-will’ workforce. ... I think the administration is going to push the unitary executive idea as far as it can, and all of the signals it has been getting from the Supreme Court is to push further and push faster.”

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Eric M. Patashnik

mayasen.bsky.social
Maya Sen @mayasen.bsky.social · Nov 26
If the executive can unilaterally shift all functioning out of an congressionally established agency, then what is left of Congress’ lawmaking?

Why should Congress authorize executive agencies to do anything at all, ever?

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
School Groups Sue to Stop Dismantling of the Education Department
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Eric M. Patashnik

mollyereynolds.bsky.social
Molly Reynolds @mollyereynolds.bsky.social · Nov 13
I wish I could take credit for the phrase "new heights of flouting" but that came from the team at @theunpopulist.net who gave me the space for this take on the current landscape of congressional vs. executive power over spending. www.theunpopulist.net/p/founders-w...
Founders Would Be Horrified by Congress's Surrender of its Power of the Purse to POTUS
The shutdown is testimony to how a subservient legislature makes governance dysfunctional
www.theunpopulist.net

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Christian E. Weller, Eric M. Patashnik , and 2 more

donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Nov 10
New at Can We Still Govern? New Medicaid work requirements will see an estimated 5 million lose coverage.
Small investments in in-house tech capacity could allow states to start preparing now to expand automatic renewal of clients. Here is the evidence 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-a-van-...
Lessons from Pandemic Era Medicaid Automation for Work Requirements
Small tech capacity investments offer big returns
donmoynihan.substack.com

Reposted by Scott L. Greer, Robert C. Richards, Eric M. Patashnik

larrylevitt.bsky.social
Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · Nov 8
You have to read between the lines here to imagine what President Trump is proposing. But, it sounds like it may be a plan for health accounts that could be used for insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, which could create a death spiral in ACA plans that do.

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Nov 6
Video of my conversation on the government shutdown with Kathy Manning, former member of Congress & Senior Fellow @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social

youtube.com/watch?v=nEIf...
Understanding the Government Shutdown: Causes and Consequences
YouTube video by Watson School of International and Public Affairs
youtube.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Nov 3
Today at 5pm @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
events.brown.edu/taubman/even...
Understanding the Government Shutdown: Causes and Consequences
As the government shutdown continues to ripple through the economy and political system, the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy invite...
events.brown.edu

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Oct 31
A nIce @browndailyherald.bsky.social article on a conference we held yesterday to celebrate Jim Morone's scholarship upon his retirement after a remarkable 42-year career at Brown University. @brownupolisci.bsky.social @brown.edu

www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025...
Brown community celebrates professor James Morone’s scholarly work
The event celebrated Morone’s retirement after 42 years at Brown.
www.browndailyherald.com

ericpatashnik.bsky.social
Eric Patashnik @ericpatashnik.bsky.social · Oct 24
Looking forward to Monday's @taubmancenter.bsky.social Politics & Policy lunch with @rifoundation.bsky.social president & former Congressman @davidcicilline.bsky.social.
@watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
events.brown.edu/taubman/even...
Politics & Policy Lunch: David Cicilline (CEO & President of the RI Foundation)
Join us for the Politics & Policy Lunch series featuring David Cicilline, President & CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation and former U.S. Co...
events.brown.edu

Reposted by Erika Franklin Fowler, Eric M. Patashnik

sarahgollust.bsky.social
Sarah Gollust @sarahgollust.bsky.social · Oct 23
Happy birthday @jhppl.bsky.social! 🎉Our special issue celebrating 50 years of JHPPL and the past and future of health politics and policy just dropped. Start with our opening essay w/ @oberlanderunc.bsky.social and follow along for more. read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...
Cover of JHPPL special issue "JHPPL at 50"

Reposted by David R. Miller, Eric M. Patashnik, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Elizabeth Saunders, Richard S.J. Tol , and 37 more

jonathanreports.bsky.social
Jonathan Edwards @jonathanreports.bsky.social · Oct 20
Scoop: Trump has started demolishing the White House's East Wing facade to build his ballroom. The president had claimed construction of the $250 million building wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure. /W @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/4hqBNiU
White House begins demolishing East Wing facade to build Trump’s ballroom
The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.
wapo.st

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Eric M. Patashnik

kewhittington.bsky.social
Keith E. Whittington @kewhittington.bsky.social · Oct 16
A joint statement from Robert George (Princeton), Jeannie Suk Gersen (Harvard), Tom Ginsburg (Chicago), Robert Post (Yale), David Rabban (Texas) & Keith Whittington (Yale) on the Compact. A politically diverse group known for writing & work on campus issues.
tomginsburg.substack.com/p/on-the-com...
On the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education
By Professors Robert P. George (Princeton), Tom Ginsburg (Chicago), Robert Post (Yale), David Rabban (Texas), Jeannie Suk Gersen (Harvard), and Keith Whittington (Yale)
tomginsburg.substack.com