Matt Martin
@mattjmartin.com
Incoming Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of South Carolina. Postdoc, Comparative Constitutions Project. Outside of work: mutual aid, lofi hip-hop, and three cats.
Website: https://mattjmartin.com
Website: https://mattjmartin.com
Pinned
Matt Martin
@mattjmartin.com
· Jan 10
Elite Fractures, Public Capture: The Strategic Use of Public Consultation in Global Constitution-Making | Journal of Law and Courts | Cambridge Core
Elite Fractures, Public Capture: The Strategic Use of Public Consultation in Global Constitution-Making
doi.org
🚨 New research alert 🚨 The first article from my dissertation is here: "Elite Fractures, Public Capture: The Strategic Use of Public Consultation in Global Constitution-Making" has been published in the Journal of Law and Courts! Open access link: doi.org/10.1017/jlc....
My article "Consultation Without Consensus: Lessons from Chile's Constitutional Convention (2021-2022)" has been accepted for publication in Política. Revista de Ciencia Política! It will appear in a special issue on participatory and deliberative processes in times of democratic crisis in December.
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
My article "Consultation Without Consensus: Lessons from Chile's Constitutional Convention (2021-2022)" has been accepted for publication in Política. Revista de Ciencia Política! It will appear in a special issue on participatory and deliberative processes in times of democratic crisis in December.
Some big news: I'll be joining the University of South Carolina's Department of Political Science as an Assistant Professor in August 2026! Next summer we are Columbia bound.
November 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Some big news: I'll be joining the University of South Carolina's Department of Political Science as an Assistant Professor in August 2026! Next summer we are Columbia bound.
Reposted by Matt Martin
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
The new Comparative Constitutions Project website is now live! Developed by yours truly. We're also releasing version 5.0 of our Constitutional Chronology and Constitutional Characteristics datasets, updated through 2023. Explore and download: comparativeconstitutionsproject.org
Comparative Constitutions Project
Producing data about constitutions. Impacting the constitution-making process. Promoting peace, justice, and human development.
comparativeconstitutionsproject.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The new Comparative Constitutions Project website is now live! Developed by yours truly. We're also releasing version 5.0 of our Constitutional Chronology and Constitutional Characteristics datasets, updated through 2023. Explore and download: comparativeconstitutionsproject.org
Reposted by Matt Martin
Wow! A new low for Ken Paxton. His deranged press release claims that there cannot be any legitimate purpose for legal defense for people facing deportation — effectively saying that removal defense is not legitimate and only “radicals” would want people to have lawyers.
Horrid stuff from him.
Horrid stuff from him.
November 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Wow! A new low for Ken Paxton. His deranged press release claims that there cannot be any legitimate purpose for legal defense for people facing deportation — effectively saying that removal defense is not legitimate and only “radicals” would want people to have lawyers.
Horrid stuff from him.
Horrid stuff from him.
Reposted by Matt Martin
short version: they mask bc state security force defections are *the* mechanism through which nonviolent protest is successful. it's a repressive regime that has learned from the past 20 years of other repressive regimes who have all become increasingly skilled at stymieing nonviolent movements.
Veteran ICE officials @nickmiroff.bsky.social spoke with view the use of masks as an unquestionably negative development. But it’s not going away anytime soon, Miroff reports: https://theatln.tc/acMM0axK
November 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
short version: they mask bc state security force defections are *the* mechanism through which nonviolent protest is successful. it's a repressive regime that has learned from the past 20 years of other repressive regimes who have all become increasingly skilled at stymieing nonviolent movements.
Katie Wilson, Seattle's progressive challenger to incumbent mayor Bruce Harrell, has now pulled ahead by less than 100 votes after the most recent ballot count
November 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Katie Wilson, Seattle's progressive challenger to incumbent mayor Bruce Harrell, has now pulled ahead by less than 100 votes after the most recent ballot count
Reposted by Matt Martin
Chait, 2021: Eric Adams's victory has a lot to tell us about what's electorally viable.
Chait, 2025: Zohran Mamdani's victory has nothing to tell us about what's electorally viable.
Chait, 2025: Zohran Mamdani's victory has nothing to tell us about what's electorally viable.
November 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Chait, 2021: Eric Adams's victory has a lot to tell us about what's electorally viable.
Chait, 2025: Zohran Mamdani's victory has nothing to tell us about what's electorally viable.
Chait, 2025: Zohran Mamdani's victory has nothing to tell us about what's electorally viable.
Reposted by Matt Martin
It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this high-energy, extremely-online transparency while actually governing. It would be fascinating to see someone actually use this style of media to bring people in to gov't itself, to make them feel involved in administration.
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this high-energy, extremely-online transparency while actually governing. It would be fascinating to see someone actually use this style of media to bring people in to gov't itself, to make them feel involved in administration.
Reposted by Matt Martin
The ADL has decided to treat fascists as allies and progressives as enemies. For a group that is tasked with protecting American Jews, that is a world historic fuck up.
I will never forgive these people for their moral decrepitude.
I will never forgive these people for their moral decrepitude.
November 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The ADL has decided to treat fascists as allies and progressives as enemies. For a group that is tasked with protecting American Jews, that is a world historic fuck up.
I will never forgive these people for their moral decrepitude.
I will never forgive these people for their moral decrepitude.
Reposted by Matt Martin
I’m coining the phrase “the centrist two-step.” Step 1 is declaring that the left needs to focus on kitchen table issues instead of social issues to win back voters and step 2 is insisting that all left-wing approaches to kitchen table issues are impossible to deliver on.
Abigail Spanberger takes a swipe at Mamdani, saying "maybe he should be a Democrat" and that his campaign promises are dishonest.
November 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I’m coining the phrase “the centrist two-step.” Step 1 is declaring that the left needs to focus on kitchen table issues instead of social issues to win back voters and step 2 is insisting that all left-wing approaches to kitchen table issues are impossible to deliver on.
Reposted by Matt Martin
Yes, defend SNAP, but making econometric arguments about it saving other costs or increasing productivity is losing the plot.
As Elaine Brown said, "Because we are so used to the capitalist construct, it doesn’t occur to us that we have a human right to eat; because if you don’t eat you will die."
As Elaine Brown said, "Because we are so used to the capitalist construct, it doesn’t occur to us that we have a human right to eat; because if you don’t eat you will die."
November 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Yes, defend SNAP, but making econometric arguments about it saving other costs or increasing productivity is losing the plot.
As Elaine Brown said, "Because we are so used to the capitalist construct, it doesn’t occur to us that we have a human right to eat; because if you don’t eat you will die."
As Elaine Brown said, "Because we are so used to the capitalist construct, it doesn’t occur to us that we have a human right to eat; because if you don’t eat you will die."
Reposted by Matt Martin
🧵This horrific story is being reported all over Latin America, but not the US.
Randall Gamboa, a Costa Rican, was deported from the US in such a critical health condition it required an ambulance flight.
He then died upon his return to Costa Rica after being detained for 8 months by DHS.
Randall Gamboa, a Costa Rican, was deported from the US in such a critical health condition it required an ambulance flight.
He then died upon his return to Costa Rica after being detained for 8 months by DHS.
October 28, 2025 at 2:32 AM
🧵This horrific story is being reported all over Latin America, but not the US.
Randall Gamboa, a Costa Rican, was deported from the US in such a critical health condition it required an ambulance flight.
He then died upon his return to Costa Rica after being detained for 8 months by DHS.
Randall Gamboa, a Costa Rican, was deported from the US in such a critical health condition it required an ambulance flight.
He then died upon his return to Costa Rica after being detained for 8 months by DHS.
Reposted by Matt Martin
Just want to thank folks contributing to the #psjminfo job status update section of the site. It's a small thing, but I know people appreciate knowing the status of jobs.
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
PS Jobs - Status Updates
This is a listing of job market updates. You can submit updates here.
www.politicalsciencejobs.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Just want to thank folks contributing to the #psjminfo job status update section of the site. It's a small thing, but I know people appreciate knowing the status of jobs.
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
Reposted by Matt Martin
The Cuban regime has created a narrative of victimhood as a smoke screen for its gross incompetence and corruption. I should know, writes Carolina Barrero. I once believed it, too.
The Cuban Embargo Does Not Exist | Journal of Democracy
The Cuban regime has created a narrative of victimhood as a smoke screen for its gross incompetence and corruption. I should know. I once believed it, too.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
October 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The Cuban regime has created a narrative of victimhood as a smoke screen for its gross incompetence and corruption. I should know, writes Carolina Barrero. I once believed it, too.
Reposted by Matt Martin
A very disturbing video has emerged from today’s ICE/CBP operations in Avondale.
An officer pushes a woman to the ground, prompting bystanders to react angrily and throw what appears to be a rock at a moving unmarked vehicle.
This seems to be the new normal in Chicago.
An officer pushes a woman to the ground, prompting bystanders to react angrily and throw what appears to be a rock at a moving unmarked vehicle.
This seems to be the new normal in Chicago.
October 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
A very disturbing video has emerged from today’s ICE/CBP operations in Avondale.
An officer pushes a woman to the ground, prompting bystanders to react angrily and throw what appears to be a rock at a moving unmarked vehicle.
This seems to be the new normal in Chicago.
An officer pushes a woman to the ground, prompting bystanders to react angrily and throw what appears to be a rock at a moving unmarked vehicle.
This seems to be the new normal in Chicago.
Reposted by Matt Martin
Breaking: The Department of Justice announced it will "monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions [in New Jersey and California] ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law." www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...
Justice Department to Monitor Polling Sites in California, New Jersey
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced that it will monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot ...
www.justice.gov
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Breaking: The Department of Justice announced it will "monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions [in New Jersey and California] ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law." www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...
Reposted by Matt Martin
I love that this is literally just
we realized we weren't connecting with Black people so we tried talking to more Black people and Black people like us much better now
we realized we weren't connecting with Black people so we tried talking to more Black people and Black people like us much better now
"Black organizers had noticed gaps in the campaign’s strategy for reaching Black voters. To address them, they led canvasses in working-class Black neighborhoods...By early October, Mamdani had taken a commanding lead over Cuomo among Black voters"
hammerandhope.org/article/zohr...
hammerandhope.org/article/zohr...
Will Zohran Mamdani Win Over Black New Yorkers?
Five people talk about their experience of the Mamdani campaign — from the inside and the outside.
hammerandhope.org
October 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I love that this is literally just
we realized we weren't connecting with Black people so we tried talking to more Black people and Black people like us much better now
we realized we weren't connecting with Black people so we tried talking to more Black people and Black people like us much better now
What stage in the slow, painful death of the rule of law is this
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
October 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
What stage in the slow, painful death of the rule of law is this
Just completed my last job application of the season. Let the chips fall where they may.
October 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Just completed my last job application of the season. Let the chips fall where they may.
Reposted by Matt Martin
New statewide policy requires that all syllabuses be posted online. I've had my class materials online *for years*, but that doesn't count—it must be a PDF.
So with the magic of #QuartoPub and Typst and some Lua filters, I made my course website syllabus build to a PDF automatically!
So with the magic of #QuartoPub and Typst and some Lua filters, I made my course website syllabus build to a PDF automatically!
October 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
New statewide policy requires that all syllabuses be posted online. I've had my class materials online *for years*, but that doesn't count—it must be a PDF.
So with the magic of #QuartoPub and Typst and some Lua filters, I made my course website syllabus build to a PDF automatically!
So with the magic of #QuartoPub and Typst and some Lua filters, I made my course website syllabus build to a PDF automatically!
Reposted by Matt Martin
34 people killed in 50 days. Their guilt or innocence unknown, for an alleged crime that doesn't carry a death sentence. That's a lot of death.
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
34 people killed in 50 days. Their guilt or innocence unknown, for an alleged crime that doesn't carry a death sentence. That's a lot of death.
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
Reposted by Matt Martin
I’m going to say it again: members of Congress need to draft articles & talk publicly & loudly about the case for treason. Trump told generals on camera in person: the campaign in U.S. cities is a WAR. The military needs to hear it laid out for them, how serious this is. Write for them, not the GOP.
ICE is stockpiling arms, including chemical weapons, guided missile warheads and explosive components. The spending dwarfs anything we've ever seen in the agency - a 700% increase.
The President is building an army to attack his own country.
The President is building an army to attack his own country.
October 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I’m going to say it again: members of Congress need to draft articles & talk publicly & loudly about the case for treason. Trump told generals on camera in person: the campaign in U.S. cities is a WAR. The military needs to hear it laid out for them, how serious this is. Write for them, not the GOP.