Joey Fishkin
@fishkin.bsky.social
Law prof @ UCLA. I study equality and oligarchy.
Most recent book @ https://anti-oligarchy.com
Most recent book @ https://anti-oligarchy.com
Pinned
Joey Fishkin
@fishkin.bsky.social
· Oct 22
The Inequality Podcast - Stone Center
stonecenter.uchicago.edu
@durlauf.bsky.social interviewed me for his terrific Inequality Podcast, which highlights different scholars' work on inequality.
It was a fun conversation—and if you'd like an introduction to my work, this is a great place to look (or listen).
Discusses both bottlenecks and oligarchy!
It was a fun conversation—and if you'd like an introduction to my work, this is a great place to look (or listen).
Discusses both bottlenecks and oligarchy!
I appreciate @brendannyhan.bsky.social's opinion piece about the older skew of No Kings & the possibility that younger people are demobilized and disaffected.
But this paragraph, I think, is wrong. The reason the Tea Party had a much larger effect on politics was our highly skewed media ecosystem.
But this paragraph, I think, is wrong. The reason the Tea Party had a much larger effect on politics was our highly skewed media ecosystem.
November 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I appreciate @brendannyhan.bsky.social's opinion piece about the older skew of No Kings & the possibility that younger people are demobilized and disaffected.
But this paragraph, I think, is wrong. The reason the Tea Party had a much larger effect on politics was our highly skewed media ecosystem.
But this paragraph, I think, is wrong. The reason the Tea Party had a much larger effect on politics was our highly skewed media ecosystem.
The fun thing about being a longtime reader of @talkingpointsmemo.com is that as soon as I saw this headline I knew @joshtpm.bsky.social was incorporating by reference the whole previous series he did on "The Brittle Grip" more than a decade ago.
Since then, the oligarchy got somewhat more grippy.
Since then, the oligarchy got somewhat more grippy.
The Brittle Grip of Ultra-Wealth
Just before I began writing this post, I saw this article from...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The fun thing about being a longtime reader of @talkingpointsmemo.com is that as soon as I saw this headline I knew @joshtpm.bsky.social was incorporating by reference the whole previous series he did on "The Brittle Grip" more than a decade ago.
Since then, the oligarchy got somewhat more grippy.
Since then, the oligarchy got somewhat more grippy.
This is obviously a strange story with a troubled person at the center, but it's also true that the obsessive culture of victimhood that is now in full flower on the right—the same culture that brings us cabinet officials living on military bases—is inevitably going to bring us more of this stuff.
New Jersey Congressman’s Aide Faked Anti-Trump Slashing Attack, U.S. Says
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is obviously a strange story with a troubled person at the center, but it's also true that the obsessive culture of victimhood that is now in full flower on the right—the same culture that brings us cabinet officials living on military bases—is inevitably going to bring us more of this stuff.
Ex-military Democrats said: "You can refuse illegal orders" and "You must refuse illegal orders." The Constitution requires the 2nd version.
President Trump responds: They "TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS"
Is he trying to tell us something? I.e. that he's giving or will give illegal orders?
President Trump responds: They "TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS"
Is he trying to tell us something? I.e. that he's giving or will give illegal orders?
West Point is committing "a crime of serious proportion" then.
November 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Ex-military Democrats said: "You can refuse illegal orders" and "You must refuse illegal orders." The Constitution requires the 2nd version.
President Trump responds: They "TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS"
Is he trying to tell us something? I.e. that he's giving or will give illegal orders?
President Trump responds: They "TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS"
Is he trying to tell us something? I.e. that he's giving or will give illegal orders?
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
West Point is committing "a crime of serious proportion" then.
November 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
West Point is committing "a crime of serious proportion" then.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
answer is great but also it's telling that the guy who's been saying this since day 1 has to answer about whether he's an antisemite for 5 min every interview while the same people grin vacantly at the jewish space lasers lady and call her a brave warrior
WELKER: What is your message to Jewish New Yorkers who feel you won't be tough enough in your response to antisemitism?
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
November 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
answer is great but also it's telling that the guy who's been saying this since day 1 has to answer about whether he's an antisemite for 5 min every interview while the same people grin vacantly at the jewish space lasers lady and call her a brave warrior
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
The post is from Alexander Dugin in telegram, the Kremlin's chief ideologue, a self-proclaimed "intellectual," a prominent russian nazi, and a happy father.
The post was written today.
The post was written today.
November 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The post is from Alexander Dugin in telegram, the Kremlin's chief ideologue, a self-proclaimed "intellectual," a prominent russian nazi, and a happy father.
The post was written today.
The post was written today.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
Great piece on the @crimsoncourage.bsky.social and #Standup4Yale tailgate yesterday.
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Great piece on the @crimsoncourage.bsky.social and #Standup4Yale tailgate yesterday.
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Pabst, Pamphlets and a Petition: A Harvard-Yale Tailgate in the Trump Era www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
Especially for the 1Ls out there, preparing for their 1st set of law school exams, I wrote this post back in 2007 about how to get a good grade on a law school issue spotter. The post, "Bad Answers, Good Answers, and Terrific Answers," is available here:
volokh.com/posts/116838...
volokh.com/posts/116838...
November 22, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Especially for the 1Ls out there, preparing for their 1st set of law school exams, I wrote this post back in 2007 about how to get a good grade on a law school issue spotter. The post, "Bad Answers, Good Answers, and Terrific Answers," is available here:
volokh.com/posts/116838...
volokh.com/posts/116838...
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
All the religious liberty clinics/litigation shops rushing to file amicus briefs opposing EEOC’s demand for lists of Jews, right?
Federal Suit Seeking Names of Some Jewish Employees at Penn Sparks Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
All the religious liberty clinics/litigation shops rushing to file amicus briefs opposing EEOC’s demand for lists of Jews, right?
This usage of the word "Communist" that Cruz is picking up from Trump is an astonishing indication of how successfully a line of politicians from Bernie Sanders to Zohran Mamdani have reclaimed the term "socialist" and robbed it of its sting.
Outside of Miami, "socialist" seems normal now.
Outside of Miami, "socialist" seems normal now.
Ah yes. Harvard Law School in the early 1990s, well known for its Communist professors.
November 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This usage of the word "Communist" that Cruz is picking up from Trump is an astonishing indication of how successfully a line of politicians from Bernie Sanders to Zohran Mamdani have reclaimed the term "socialist" and robbed it of its sting.
Outside of Miami, "socialist" seems normal now.
Outside of Miami, "socialist" seems normal now.
The federal government is demanding that Penn hand over the names ***and contact information*** of most Jewish faculty and staff.
The demands include anyone who showed up at some sessions about antisemitism and anyone who received a campus survey that Penn likely was trying to send widely to Jews.
The demands include anyone who showed up at some sessions about antisemitism and anyone who received a campus survey that Penn likely was trying to send widely to Jews.
The government, in going after Penn to "fight antisemitism," has asked for "a list of members of Jewish-related campus groups and the names of employees in the school's Jewish Studies Program."
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
www.reuters.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The federal government is demanding that Penn hand over the names ***and contact information*** of most Jewish faculty and staff.
The demands include anyone who showed up at some sessions about antisemitism and anyone who received a campus survey that Penn likely was trying to send widely to Jews.
The demands include anyone who showed up at some sessions about antisemitism and anyone who received a campus survey that Penn likely was trying to send widely to Jews.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
The government, in going after Penn to "fight antisemitism," has asked for "a list of members of Jewish-related campus groups and the names of employees in the school's Jewish Studies Program."
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
www.reuters.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The government, in going after Penn to "fight antisemitism," has asked for "a list of members of Jewish-related campus groups and the names of employees in the school's Jewish Studies Program."
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
We do not believe that turning over lists of Jews is helpful to the fight against antisemitism.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
That's what they mean when they say he "tells it like it is" -- not that he's reporting empirical truth (that's lib thinking), but rather that he's letting that interior ugliness out into the world, without apology. "Everyone is like this, he's just brave enough to be open about it."
November 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
That's what they mean when they say he "tells it like it is" -- not that he's reporting empirical truth (that's lib thinking), but rather that he's letting that interior ugliness out into the world, without apology. "Everyone is like this, he's just brave enough to be open about it."
Solid article from @joshkovensky.bsky.social making the point that the new terrorist designations for random small European anti-fascist groups is contrary to the facts and the law—UNLESS you believe in the false antifa-as-global-bogeman conspiracy theory that the administration is trying to push.
Trump Admin Terrorist Designations Show Latest Attempt to Target Domestic Enemies
When Secretary of State Marco Rubio added four European anti-fascist groups to...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Solid article from @joshkovensky.bsky.social making the point that the new terrorist designations for random small European anti-fascist groups is contrary to the facts and the law—UNLESS you believe in the false antifa-as-global-bogeman conspiracy theory that the administration is trying to push.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
In order to figure out where all the antisemitism on the right has come from, we interviewed the most obtuse fool imaginable who is both Jewish AND built one of the key institutions that has served as an incubator of right wing antisemitism since its founding.
November 20, 2025 at 1:56 PM
In order to figure out where all the antisemitism on the right has come from, we interviewed the most obtuse fool imaginable who is both Jewish AND built one of the key institutions that has served as an incubator of right wing antisemitism since its founding.
This raid seems to have been, literally, a made-for-TV movie, but the only thing the extras had in common with Tren de Arabia gang members was a national origin.
(Maybe they could try to justify the discrimination as authentic casting?)
Although nobody asked if people were willing to be extras…
(Maybe they could try to justify the discrimination as authentic casting?)
Although nobody asked if people were willing to be extras…
Stephen Miller said the Chicago building was “filled with TdA terrorists.”
DOJ prosecutors have not filed criminal charges or shown evidence that anyone arrested in the raid belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
DOJ prosecutors have not filed criminal charges or shown evidence that anyone arrested in the raid belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
This raid seems to have been, literally, a made-for-TV movie, but the only thing the extras had in common with Tren de Arabia gang members was a national origin.
(Maybe they could try to justify the discrimination as authentic casting?)
Although nobody asked if people were willing to be extras…
(Maybe they could try to justify the discrimination as authentic casting?)
Although nobody asked if people were willing to be extras…
Ok so the plan is:
Do less stuff where we have a huge comparative advantage, such as higher education.
Do more stuff where we have a huge comparative disadvantage, such as growing coffee and bananas.
200 years of really amazing progress since Ricardo figured this out in 1817; great job everyone.
Do less stuff where we have a huge comparative advantage, such as higher education.
Do more stuff where we have a huge comparative disadvantage, such as growing coffee and bananas.
200 years of really amazing progress since Ricardo figured this out in 1817; great job everyone.
The White House just blasted this out under the headline "Good News You May Have Missed"
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Ok so the plan is:
Do less stuff where we have a huge comparative advantage, such as higher education.
Do more stuff where we have a huge comparative disadvantage, such as growing coffee and bananas.
200 years of really amazing progress since Ricardo figured this out in 1817; great job everyone.
Do less stuff where we have a huge comparative advantage, such as higher education.
Do more stuff where we have a huge comparative disadvantage, such as growing coffee and bananas.
200 years of really amazing progress since Ricardo figured this out in 1817; great job everyone.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
Another way to look at this is the administration is celebrating a 17% decline in one of our most prestigious and profitable exports
The White House just blasted this out under the headline "Good News You May Have Missed"
November 20, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Another way to look at this is the administration is celebrating a 17% decline in one of our most prestigious and profitable exports
I'm beginning to suspect we are in for a hit parade of all the worst health care policy ideas that involve replacing insurance with non-insurance.
One of the greatest hits of this genre back in 2010 was about bartering chickens for health care (as a good thing)—
www.theguardian.com/world/richar...
One of the greatest hits of this genre back in 2010 was about bartering chickens for health care (as a good thing)—
www.theguardian.com/world/richar...
Is there going to be an app we can use when we have a gunshot wound and need to determine which emergency room is cheaper tonight?
Cassidy: "If she goes and gets 2 types of shampoo & one is a dollar cheaper, she'll get the cheaper one & the other lowers their price. Once you give her the power of making the decision, she's gonna shop -- that begins to save her money and squeezes waste out of the healthcare system."
November 19, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I'm beginning to suspect we are in for a hit parade of all the worst health care policy ideas that involve replacing insurance with non-insurance.
One of the greatest hits of this genre back in 2010 was about bartering chickens for health care (as a good thing)—
www.theguardian.com/world/richar...
One of the greatest hits of this genre back in 2010 was about bartering chickens for health care (as a good thing)—
www.theguardian.com/world/richar...
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
A personal nightmare: someone discovers my typo 338 years later.
November 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A personal nightmare: someone discovers my typo 338 years later.
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
I feel like Person of the Year should go to college student journalists
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
I feel like Person of the Year should go to college student journalists
There should be a name for neutral "time, place, and manner" rules that are indeed facially neutral... but that exist only to stigmatize protests of the past whose viewpoint the regime doesn't like.
BLM writes on roadways? Well, roadway-writing is now importantly not allowed! Don't try it again!
BLM writes on roadways? Well, roadway-writing is now importantly not allowed! Don't try it again!
Lubbock Will Remove Buddy Holly-Themed Crosswalk After Federal Crackdown
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 AM
There should be a name for neutral "time, place, and manner" rules that are indeed facially neutral... but that exist only to stigmatize protests of the past whose viewpoint the regime doesn't like.
BLM writes on roadways? Well, roadway-writing is now importantly not allowed! Don't try it again!
BLM writes on roadways? Well, roadway-writing is now importantly not allowed! Don't try it again!
Reposted by Joey Fishkin
Here is the federal district court's 2–1 ruling, authored by a very conservative Trump appointee, striking down Texas' new Republican gerrymander on the grounds that it unlawfully discriminates against racial minorities. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Here is the federal district court's 2–1 ruling, authored by a very conservative Trump appointee, striking down Texas' new Republican gerrymander on the grounds that it unlawfully discriminates against racial minorities. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...