Laia Balcells
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laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells
@laiabalcells.bsky.social
7.2K followers 1.6K following 820 posts

Yale educated political scientist. Georgetown professor. Views here are personal. Reskeets are not endorsements.

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Political science 60%
Sociology 17%
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Reposted by Laia Balcells

sbmitche.bsky.social
Sara Mitchell @sbmitche.bsky.social · 1d
Applications for the 2026 Journeys in World Politics workshop (10/1-10/3) in San Diego are being accepted (due 6/1). The workshop features Kathleen Cunningham & Leah Windsor as senior mentors. Christina Schneider is our local host! Visit the site below to apply.

www.saramitchell.org/journeys.html

Reposted by Gordon Pennycook, Linda J. Skitka, Mark J. Brandt , and 5 more

erichehman.bsky.social
Eric Hehman @erichehman.bsky.social · 2d
Postdoc position!

Myself and @jordanaxt.bsky.social are seeking applications for a shared post-doctoral researcher at McGill, beginning Fall 2026.

Topic area broadly centered on intergroup dynamics, prejudice, discrimination

Full description here: hehmanlab.org/ad
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hehmanlab.org

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 3d
"Police in the town investigated the 23-year-old's death as possible manslaughter but no criminal case was brought against Kris Harrison after a grand jury in Collin County declined to indict him." www.bbc.com/news/article...
British Woman shot by dad in Texas after 'arguing about Donald Trump'
Lucy Harrison, 23, was alone in a bedroom at her father's home in Texas when she was shot dead.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Peter Holmes

faineg.bsky.social
Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · 3d
A MAGA freak in Texas murdered his own daughter in cold blood after they had an argument about Trump.

A grand jury in the Dallas area then *declined to indict him*, and he has not yet faced charges.

Seems like many Texans believe a man has the right to kill his own child for disobedience.
British Woman shot by dad in Texas after 'arguing about Donald Trump'
Lucy Harrison, 23, was alone in a bedroom at her father's home in Texas when she was shot dead.
www.bbc.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 3d
I agree that we should look at the content, not the number of mentions.
helldude.bsky.social rich traditions @helldude.bsky.social · 3d
anyone could be mentioned in the epstein files one million times. means nothing

Reposted by Laia Balcells

helldude.bsky.social
rich traditions @helldude.bsky.social · 3d
anyone could be mentioned in the epstein files one million times. means nothing

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Tom Clark, Laia Balcells , and 3 more

cingraham.bsky.social
Chris Ingraham @cingraham.bsky.social · 3d
This is the second time an ICE employee has been arrested in in a Bloomington, MN underage sex trafficking sting www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
mnhousedfl.bsky.social Minnesota House DFL @mnhousedfl.bsky.social · 3d
Police in Bloomington, MN just announced that one of the guys they arrested in an underage sex trafficking sting was a **background checker for ICE agents.**

He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 6d
First Team USA's medal of this game is brought by a queer athlete. What will MAGA say? 🌈
cnn.com CNN @cnn.com · 6d
Breezy Johnson wins gold in women's downhill, earning Team USA's first medal of Winter Games. Follow live updates.
https://cnn.it/4tiQMkd

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 6d
And, as far as I know, she is the first queer skier to achieve this amazing feat.

Reposted by Laia Balcells

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 6d
Breezy Johnson wins gold in women's downhill, earning Team USA's first medal of Winter Games. Follow live updates.
https://cnn.it/4tiQMkd

Reposted by Laia Balcells

nbcnews.com
NBC News @nbcnews.com · 6d
BREAKING: Breezy Johnson wins Olympic downhill gold medal, joining Lindsey Vonn as only Americans to accomplish feat.
Breezy Johnson wins Olympic downhill gold medal, joining Lindsey Vonn as only Americans to accomplish feat
Johnson, a Wyoming native, posted the leading time on the day's sixth run. American Jacqueline Wiles finished fourth.
www.nbcnews.com

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 7d
Winter Olympics: that time of the year where people who never follow winter sports decide that they like to watch winter sports...until the next Olympics.

Reposted by Laia Balcells

mississippifreepress.org
Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 7d
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed California to move forward with a new voter-approved congressional map that favors Democrats in this year’s elections, rejecting a last-ditch plea by state Republicans and the Trump administration.
Supreme Court Allows New California Congressional Districts That Favor Democrats
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed California to move forward with a new congressional map that favors Democrats in this year’s elections.
buff.ly

Reposted by Laia Balcells, David R. Miller, Erol Akçay

mcopelov.bsky.social
Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 8d
In a functioning democracy, he would not be president by this evening
Trump Posts Video Portraying Obamas as Apes
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Laia Balcells

tompepinsky.com
Tom Pepinsky @tompepinsky.com · 9d
Another thing that I have noticed after nearly two decades in New York state, is that Northern liberalism really is a thing. Even rural central NY still has plenty of counterculture and free thinking (not just in Ithaca). Rural conservatives may vote Republican, but they want to leave people alone

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Daniel W. Drezner

coreyatad.com
Corey Atad @coreyatad.com · 9d
incredible 🤣

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Sebastian Karcher

apsrjournal.bsky.social
American Political Science Review @apsrjournal.bsky.social · 10d
Our February Issue has been published! Read it at www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Reposted by Laia Balcells

raulpachecovega.bsky.social
Raul Pacheco-Vega @raulpachecovega.bsky.social · 10d
I still continue to have a critical view of AI. This does not make me a technophobe nor a caveman.

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Nicolai von Ondarza

politico.eu
POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 10d
Italian MEP Roberto Vannacci today formally broke with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s far-right League party, capping weeks of internal turmoil and exposing a widening rift on Italy’s right.
Italy’s far-right League party splits as Salvini’s deputy quits
Roberto Vannacci has launched a new far-right party that’s “not moderate.”
www.politico.eu

Reposted by Laia Balcells

houstonchronicle.com
Houston Chronicle @houstonchronicle.com · 11d
The Houston Chronicle editorial board says that Democrats should make state Rep. James Talarico their Senate candidate because he's running like he actually wants to win in Texas. bit.ly/4qfdZkM

Reposted by John R. Hutchinson, Laia Balcells

eliothiggins.bsky.social
Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 11d
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship
Latest communications undermine Chomsky’s earlier claims that he primarily had financial dealings with Epstein
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by David Darmofal

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 11d
Now out in the February 2026 issue of the APSR.
apsrjournal.bsky.social American Political Science Review @apsrjournal.bsky.social · Apr 28
Just published on APSR First View: "Ideology and Revolution in Civil Wars: The 'Marxist Paradox'" by Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social and Stathis Kalyvas. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Reposted by Laia Balcells

eldiario.es
elDiario.es @eldiario.es · 11d
Trump reclama ahora 1.000 millones de dólares a Harvard
Trump reclama ahora 1.000 millones de dólares a Harvard
El presidente de EEUU afirma que reclama una compensación "por daños y perjuicios" a la universidad después de que el New York Times informara que su administración había desistido de exigir 200 millo...
www.eldiario.es

Reposted by Laia Balcells

claireadida.bsky.social
Claire Adida @claireadida.bsky.social · 11d
Just a reminder that "A database maintained by the right-wing Heritage Foundation found "fewer than 100 examples of non-citizens voting between 2002 and 2022, amid more than 1 billion lawfully cast ballots."

via @juddlegum.bsky.social
Hundreds of citizens wrongly stripped of voting rights in botched effort to legitimize Trump's conspiracy theory
One of the central narratives that former President Donald Trump and his allies are pushing is that Democrats are planning to steal the election by using undocumented immigrants to pad their vote tota...
popular.info

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 14d
Wow. Is this real?
elizaorlins.bsky.social Eliza Orlins @elizaorlins.bsky.social · 14d
Elon Musk has publicly claimed he never visited Epstein's island and barely knew the man.

New documents show Musk emailing Epstein in Dec 2013: "Is there a good time to visit?"

Epstein: "always space for you"

This was 5 years after Epstein's 2008 conviction and sex offender registration.
From: Lesley Groff < To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com> Subject: Reminder: Elon Musk-Christmas and New Year's Date: Tue, 31 Dee 2013 17:40:25 +0000 Just a reminder Elon Musk was asking about coming to your island on Jan. 2.... Begin forwarded message: From: Elon Musk < Subject: Re: Christmas and New Year's Date: December 25, 2013 11:35:38 AM EST To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com> Cc: Lesley Groff < Actually, I could fly back early on the 3rd. We will be in St Bart's. When should we head to your island on the 2nd? On Dec 25, 2013, at 12:30 PM, "Elon Musk" < <mailto: >> wrote: I need to fly back to LA on the night of the 2nd, so w On Dec 25, 2013, at 6:34 AM, "Jeffrey Epstein" < jeevacation@gmail.com<mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>> wrote: the 2 or 3 would be perfect. I will come and get you. On Sun, Dec 15, 2013 at 5:32 PM, Elon Musk - Ok, probably the 1st then. Kmailto: >> wrote: On Dec 15, 2013, at 2:25 PM, "Jeffrey Epstein" <jeevacation@gmail.com<mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com> <mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com-mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>>> wrote: any day 1st - 8th. play it by ear if you want. always space for you On Fri, Dec 13, 2013 at 11:35 PM, Elon Musk <mailto: <mailto: mailto: → wrote: Will be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit? *********************************************************** The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, may constitute inside information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. It is the property of Jeffrey Epstein EFTA00680523

Reposted by Laia Balcells, Nathan P. Kalmoe

elizaorlins.bsky.social
Eliza Orlins @elizaorlins.bsky.social · 14d
Elon Musk has publicly claimed he never visited Epstein's island and barely knew the man.

New documents show Musk emailing Epstein in Dec 2013: "Is there a good time to visit?"

Epstein: "always space for you"

This was 5 years after Epstein's 2008 conviction and sex offender registration.
From: Lesley Groff < To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com> Subject: Reminder: Elon Musk-Christmas and New Year's Date: Tue, 31 Dee 2013 17:40:25 +0000 Just a reminder Elon Musk was asking about coming to your island on Jan. 2.... Begin forwarded message: From: Elon Musk < Subject: Re: Christmas and New Year's Date: December 25, 2013 11:35:38 AM EST To: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com> Cc: Lesley Groff < Actually, I could fly back early on the 3rd. We will be in St Bart's. When should we head to your island on the 2nd? On Dec 25, 2013, at 12:30 PM, "Elon Musk" < <mailto: >> wrote: I need to fly back to LA on the night of the 2nd, so w On Dec 25, 2013, at 6:34 AM, "Jeffrey Epstein" < jeevacation@gmail.com<mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>> wrote: the 2 or 3 would be perfect. I will come and get you. On Sun, Dec 15, 2013 at 5:32 PM, Elon Musk - Ok, probably the 1st then. Kmailto: >> wrote: On Dec 15, 2013, at 2:25 PM, "Jeffrey Epstein" <jeevacation@gmail.com<mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com> <mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com-mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>>> wrote: any day 1st - 8th. play it by ear if you want. always space for you On Fri, Dec 13, 2013 at 11:35 PM, Elon Musk <mailto: <mailto: mailto: → wrote: Will be in the BVI/St Bart's area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit? *********************************************************** The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, may constitute inside information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. It is the property of Jeffrey Epstein EFTA00680523

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 14d
February 2026 issue of the @apsrjournal.bsky.social: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
American Political Science Review: Volume 120 - Issue 1 | Cambridge Core
Cambridge Core - American Political Science Review - Volume 120 - Issue 1
www.cambridge.org

Reposted by Laia Balcells

jaylyall.bsky.social
Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · 15d
Oh Canada 🇨🇦

Reposted by Laia Balcells

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 15d
Jeffries: "We believe there should be a prohibition on ICE deporting or detaining American citizens. We believe that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. We believe ICE shouldn't run around with masks ... "

laiabalcells.bsky.social
Laia Balcells @laiabalcells.bsky.social · 16d
New working paper with Ana Paula Pellegrino and Ben Burnley (both of them recent PhDs from Georgetown): "Between wars and words: how international conflict shapes discourse of non-belligerent political leaders" www.wider.unu.edu/sites/defaul...
www.wider.unu.edu