Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David S. Meyer

@davidsmeyer.bsky.social

760 followers 380 following 130 posts

sociology and political science prof./ author/ swimmer/ dad

Videos

Political science 62%

Sociology 21%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 2d

Massive congratulations!

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 16d

The Trump/OMB/Vought threat is all about taking tens of thousands of government employees hostage. Use the language.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 16d

The win on Kimmel is one of what will be many turning points that end up mattering.

Jimmy Kimmel, free speech, and turning points politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/24/j...

Jimmy Kimmel, free speech, and turning points

When the Trump episode (epoch?) in American life ends, the brief suspension of a late night talk show host may well mark the turning point when Republicans and conservatives began to abandon this p…

politicsoutdoors.com

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 17d

Cho toner did a really good job in prepping and conducting the interview. Sunstein comes off as someone confident that he can continue to get by primarily on charm.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 17d

When is the president of antifa going to issue a statement?

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 18d

I can imagine a future where ABC bringing Kimmel back while Trump calls for immediate prosecution of his "enemies" is a turning point in American politics and life--and things get better. Point: we don't have to give in to every dangerous initiative from the White House.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · 29d

President Trump can do a lot now to promote peace and comity by condemning political violence from any corner--just as he did when crazed men attacked Paul Pelosi and, more recently, Josh Shapiro, and Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Oh, wait, he didn't do that.

1 2

Reposted by Matthew Bunn, Philip Nel, David S. Meyer

Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · Sep 10

We are horrified to learn of the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no place in democracy. The foundation of democracy rests on the principle that differences can be debated vigorously, but peacefully, without intimidation or acts of violence.

Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University

Turning Point USA executive director in critical condition after being struck while hosting UVU event

www.theguardian.com

130 260 1.3K

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Sep 5

Searching for Solidarity in Higher Education (1) Trying to figure the response to a mass attack on higher education in the United States. There's lots of opposition, but it seems scattered--and lacking an overarching message or strategy. Help me think it through. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/05/s...

Searching for Solidarity in Higher Education (1)

I want to know what we’re doing to save higher education in America from the Trump Administration. Tell me what you know about. Here’s what I’ve seen: The victims of the Trump Adm…

politicsoutdoors.com

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Sep 1

Labor Day (repost and rewritten) politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/01/l...

Labor Day (repost and rewritten)

(2021) Here’s a repost and re-edit of some thoughts about Labor Day and its origins. As long as I’ve been aware, Labor has faced a moment of crisis–an extended moment. But things can al…

politicsoutdoors.com

Reposted by David S. Meyer, John Hogan

Erin Lockwood @erinkaylockwood.bsky.social · Aug 26

Curious about why everyone is talking about "central bank independence" in the context of Trump's attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook?

This paper is a bit old now, but remains one of the more useful things I have written: a critical review of the Political Science scholarship on central banking.

The Global Politics of Central Banking: A View From Political Science

This paper reviews the political science literature on central banking from the early 1990s through the present, paying particular attention to the explicit or implicit conception of politics in the works reviewed. I begin by reviewing rationalist approaches to central bank independence from both the policy supply and demand sides. In the second section, I review literature that challenges and critiques this rationalist/institutionalist paradigm and its assumptions. The third section reviews studies that locate politics within central banks themselves and that analyze decision-making processes therein. The final section builds on the strengths of the existing literature to outline a future trajectory for political science scholarship on the global politics of central banking, one that incorporates a more sophisticated conception of politics and that is attentive to the post-crisis world in which transnational forces, governing ideas and worldviews, unconventional monetary policy, and non-monetary policy central bank functions are of paramount importance.

ecommons.cornell.edu

7 17

Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, Joe R. Feagin, Brendan Nyhan , and 31 more Jan W. Mueller, Joe R. Feagin, Brendan Nyhan, Patrick A. Jansen, Scott L. Greer, Rosemary A. Joyce, Ian Campbell, Laia Balcells, Colombia, Juan Cole, David S. Meyer, Ramón López Facal, Joni Lovenduski, Michelle Everson, Shelly Lundberg, Robert Black, Julian Go, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Aaron Sojourner, Ben Tonra, Julia Lynch, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Scott A. Imberman, Robert B. Reich, Ann Bartow, Henry Jones, Greg Linden, Manisha Sinha, Aviel Roshwald, Jr, Kevin Grant, Stuart Shapiro, Deborah M. Kolb

Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · Aug 25

Illinois Gov. Pritzker vows to pursue Trump officials who participate in an illegal National Guard deployment to Chicago:

"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."

350 4.7K 18K

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Aug 18

Russia is fine with any and all security guarantees that won't guarantee security for Ukraine.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Aug 13

I was pretty joyful when Pete Seeger was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1994.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 30

Sen. Bill Cassidy knows he violated his Hippocratic oath by voting to confirm RFK, Jr. at Health and Human Services. He also knows RFK lied to him. But right now Cassidy has some leverage, and can withhold his vote on the awful budget bill until Trump fires RFK. Maybe he already told Trump his plan.

Reposted by Evelyne Schmid, David S. Meyer

Deva Woodly @devawo.bsky.social · Jun 14

I just like to post these data from time to time to puncture the mythological aura of mid 20th c protests. They were less popular than pretty much any 21st c mass action & people criticizing them used the same lines. Protest is about people coming together, shaping narratives, & building power.

Polling data from Harris & Associates 1966.
Q: Do you approve of what Freedom Riders are Doing? 22% approve 61%disapprove18%no opinion.

53 1.8K 4.9K

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 12

One million marched against nuclear weapons in NYC in 1982. It may be time to get back out there.

Froze and reversed the arms race: anniversary, repost. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/12/f...

Froze and reversed the arms race: anniversary, repost.

I’m reposting this reminder about the massive nuclear freeze march, part of an important campaign in the 1980s. Of course, nuclear weapons are rarely the most salient story today, when a war rages …

politicsoutdoors.com

Reposted by David S. Meyer

SciLine @sciline.org · Jun 10

Covering protests and want to add in evidence-based research on why people protest? Check out our resource on this topic for text and video to clip/use/quote in news stories. bit.ly/4kYDowE

@davidsmeyer.bsky.social @ucirvine.bsky.social ‪@jhu.edu

Why do people protest, and do protests work? - SciLine

bit.ly

1 1

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 9

Trump has an interest in turning up the heat and escalating--it's scary.
How the LA protests might work for activists and politicians. A note on strategy. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/09/h...

How the LA protests might work for activists and politicians. A note on strategy.

The fallout from the immigration protests in Los Angeles that started this weekend will play out for a long while, far long than the protests–which are likely to continue and, maybe, change f…

politicsoutdoors.com

2 3

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 9

The emerging battle in the streets of Los Angeles is Trump's effort to rekindle support and distract Americans from the fight w/ Musk, the unpopular budget bill, and everything else that's gone wrong.
Polarization and the National Guard politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/08/p...

Polarization and the National Guard

President Trump federalized the National Guard, promising to promote public order and protect Immigration agents in Los Angeles. You see, protesters had turned up to bear witness and maybe stop the…

politicsoutdoors.com

1 1

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · Jun 3

The anti-Musk Tesla protests were a win for the growing resistance to Trump II. It's important for activists to claim the W.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/b...

Elon Musk Left the White House, but Tesla’s Protesters Aren’t Finished

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by David S. Meyer

IndivisibleNWI @indivisiblenwi.bsky.social · May 25

Our chapter was one of the 1st formed more than 8 years ago!
more than 8 years later,Indivisible has matured and formed a critical flank of the opposition,using its millions of members across the country to quickly spin up townhalls, educational events & protests. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Indivisible: the mass movement leading the progressive fight against Trump

It grew out of a Google Doc, and now has millions of US members – what’s the secret of Indivisible’s success?

www.theguardian.com

16 39

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 24

Got to be a product of hard work and dedication.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 20

One of the challenges is figuring out how what appeals to me (like e Warren!) translates to other people. When Warren ran, I was shocked that even liberal citizens of Irvine—not associated with UCI—so quickly and solidly displayed antipathy to her, invoking all sorts of sexist tropes.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 20

Being a good president overlaps only a little with being an effective candidate. Michael Dukakis was an outstanding governor. He made good decisions and recruited competent and effective staff. His career as a nominee was substantially less impressive.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 19

So excited that this important piece by longtime peace activist, David Cortright, just dropped. For just two weeks, it's available FREE--and it's really indispensable.

www.cambridge.org/core/element...

Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements

Cambridge Core - Political Sociology - Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements

www.cambridge.org

4 3

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 14

Thank you for reposting. Done.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 8

Presumably, you weren’t previously speaking ex cathedra. If so, no one should expect infallibility.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 8

Thanks for posting this. Yesterday I heard colleagues make a pretty persuasive case that the term paper was obsolete, and that it was irresponsible for faculty to fail to teach students how to use AI. I’m not there yet, but very curious. You’ve helped.

David S. Meyer @davidsmeyer.bsky.social · May 5

Kent State Anniversary (May 4, 1970, revised and reposted) politicsoutdoors.com/2025/05/05/k...

Kent State Anniversary (May 4, 1970, revised and reposted)

This is a repost of a report on the Kent State shootings, on occasion of an anniversary. At the end, I’ve added a bit on Neil Young’s emblematic song, which helped keep the memory alive. As I write…

politicsoutdoors.com