Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 1d

"Opponents of MAGA have faltered, chanting 'expertise' like a spell that’s lost its magic. Knowledge-based authority was a historically contingent mode of governing authority that no longer resonates. This is evident in figures like RFK Jr., whose anti-vaccine stance rejects science outright."

Beau Baumann 🍏 @beaubaumann.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI, I did a blog post today at @lpeproject.bsky.social that’s really about the death of a 20 c mode of liberal/progressive politics. It’s about the need, as a first-order objective, to relegitimize the state around a representational legitimacy.

Rebuilding State Authority In A Post-Trump America

In the ruins of the administrative state after Trump, many on the left see an opportunity to design a New Deal-type reconstruction agenda. But building state capacity requires a government that is…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

Beau Baumann 🍏 @beaubaumann.bsky.social · 1d

ICYMI, I did a blog post today at @lpeproject.bsky.social that’s really about the death of a 20 c mode of liberal/progressive politics. It’s about the need, as a first-order objective, to relegitimize the state around a representational legitimacy.

Rebuilding State Authority In A Post-Trump America

In the ruins of the administrative state after Trump, many on the left see an opportunity to design a New Deal-type reconstruction agenda. But building state capacity requires a government that is…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

Sam Bagenstos @sbagen.bsky.social · 2d

This piece by @beaubaumann.bsky.social is really good and focusing on all the right questions. lpeproject.org/blog/rebuild...

Rebuilding State Authority In A Post-Trump America

In the ruins of the administrative state after Trump, many on the left see an opportunity to design a New Deal-type reconstruction agenda. But building state capacity requires a government that is…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

Luke Herrine @lookheron.bsky.social · 2d

I’m back up in @lpeblog.bsky.social today

…

as an antagonist to @beaubaumann.bsky.social in this generative post about thinking bigger in our rebuilding ambitions

lpeproject.org/blog/rebuild...

Rebuilding State Authority In A Post-Trump America

In the ruins of the administrative state after Trump, many on the left see an opportunity to design a New Deal-type reconstruction agenda. But building state capacity requires a government that is…

lpeproject.org

2 5 13

Reposted by James Brandt

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

My shelter buddy Nico has been waiting for someone to adopt him for 219 days.

I made a short video to help advertise him to New Mexico residents. If you want to do a small kindness today, consider liking or sharing the Reddit post, so that it reaches more people.

From the SantaFe community on Reddit: Santa Fe Animal Shelter volunteer James made a video to celebrate his buddy Nico (also featuring some aspens to stay on theme)

Explore this post and more from the SantaFe community

www.reddit.com

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James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

Critics are calling it "heartwarming," "a portrait of an absolute good boy," and "somewhat derivative of the Royal Tenenbaums."

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

I refuse to read either of these articles, but I really, really hope they are related to one another:

Top article headline: "Harvard Students Skip Class and Still Get High Grades, Faculty Say"

Second article headline: "A Harvard Professor Is Placed on Leave After Firing a Pellet Gun"

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Reposted by James Brandt

Rick Weinmeyer @rickweinmeyer.bsky.social · 2d

OMG I'M SOBBING 😭

SOMEONE ADOPT NICO!

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

My shelter buddy Nico has been waiting for someone to adopt him for 219 days.

I made a short video to help advertise him to New Mexico residents. If you want to do a small kindness today, consider liking or sharing the Reddit post, so that it reaches more people.

From the SantaFe community on Reddit: Santa Fe Animal Shelter volunteer James made a video to celebrate his buddy Nico (also featuring some aspens to stay on theme)

Explore this post and more from the SantaFe community

www.reddit.com

2 5

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

My shelter buddy Nico has been waiting for someone to adopt him for 219 days.

I made a short video to help advertise him to New Mexico residents. If you want to do a small kindness today, consider liking or sharing the Reddit post, so that it reaches more people.

From the SantaFe community on Reddit: Santa Fe Animal Shelter volunteer James made a video to celebrate his buddy Nico (also featuring some aspens to stay on theme)

Explore this post and more from the SantaFe community

www.reddit.com

1 6 10

James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 2d

"by pushing 'market logic' into higher education, these reforms have made the rich richer and the poor poorer... It seems to me that this increasingly unequal system did a great deal of harm to higher education’s standing in our society, opening the door to right-wing attacks."

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 2d

Today, @lookheron.bsky.social argues that, for higher education, it's been one battle after another: how the neoliberal era laid the groundwork for the recent authoritarian turn.

The Neoliberal Foundation of the Authoritarian Turn in Higher Education

Recent authoritarian attacks on higher education mark a significant shift from the neoliberal era, which celebrated institutional independence from the state, the role of education in boosting worker…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

Luke Herrine @lookheron.bsky.social · 3d

In which I explore how changes in state-level public higher ed governance during the neoliberal era opened space for more recent authoritarian crackdowns.

lpeproject.org/blog/the-neo...

The Neoliberal Foundation of the Authoritarian Turn in Higher Education

Recent authoritarian attacks on higher education mark a significant shift from the neoliberal era, which celebrated institutional independence from the state, the role of education in boosting worker…

lpeproject.org

11 22

Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 6d

Week in review: Steffen Seitz on conspiracy law and social movements, Darryl Li on the weaponization of campus antisemitism investigations, and Erik Peinert on the staying power of the antimonopoly movement.

Plus, the best of LPE from around the web in the 🧵👇

Weekly Roundup: Oct 3

Steffen Seitz on conspiracy law and social movements, Darryl Li on the weaponization of campus antisemitism investigations, and Erik Peinert on the staying power of the antimonopoly movement. Plus…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 6d

As @akapczynski.bsky.social wrote last January, "we’ll now see arguments that clinics should stop any kind of public interest work that might make a 'statement.' This, of course, would be a violation of the academic freedom, while also undermining important ways that our schools serve the public."

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Reposted by James Brandt

LPE NYC @lpenyc.bsky.social · 7d

It's an EXCITING few weeks for LPE NYC with 2 events on the political economy of NYC!

First up is an event on Oct 15th in Brooklyn on what it means to make NYC housing affordable with @ceaweaver.bsky.social, Gianpaolo Baiocchi, & Joanne Grell!!

lpeproject.org/events/makin...

Making NYC Affordable: Housing

Please join LPE NYC for the first session in our series on what it really means to make NYC affordable, October 15, 6-8pm at New York Communities for Change (470 Vanderbilt Ave. Brooklyn, NY) This…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 6d

Today, @erikpeinert.bsky.social explains why, despite recent set-backs, the antimonopoly movement will prove difficult to dislodge over the short run.

The Staying Power of the Antimonopoly Movement

In the United States and elsewhere, the forces of monopoly, antitrust, and corporate power tend to follow a certain historical pattern, with long-term swings between strong anti-monopoly policies and…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

The LPE Project @lpeproject.bsky.social · 8d

"at least a quarter of the investigations originated from people with no relationship to the schools in question. For example, a single right-wing journalist has instigated at least 15 such inquests." 🤯

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 8d

Today, Darryl Li examines the alarming rise in campus antisemitism investigations—inquests that are often sparked by outside complaints, lack concrete evidence, and lay the groundwork for future crackdowns and grievances.

The Rising Threat of Antisemitism Investigations

In the fall of 2023, the Department of Education launched more antisemitism investigations into colleges and universities than in all previous years combined. This record was surpassed in 2024 and is…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 8d

"When it comes to speech critical of Israel, both Democratic and Republican administrations have allowed federal civil rights enforcement to be driven by the equivalent of a YouTube comments section."

Don't miss this great post by Darryl Li, analyzing the abuse of antisemitism investigations.

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 8d

Today, Darryl Li examines the alarming rise in campus antisemitism investigations—inquests that are often sparked by outside complaints, lack concrete evidence, and lay the groundwork for future crackdowns and grievances.

The Rising Threat of Antisemitism Investigations

In the fall of 2023, the Department of Education launched more antisemitism investigations into colleges and universities than in all previous years combined. This record was surpassed in 2024 and is…

lpeproject.org

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Reposted by James Brandt

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 8d

One reason to support @aaup.org in this case is that they are not Harvard the institution, even as they are defending Harvard faculty and student rights. AAUP will not stop if the administration and Harvard leadership come to an agreement that still undercuts those rights.

AAUP @aaup.org · 8d

BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥

Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.

Full ruling here:

Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com

Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...

www.courtlistener.com

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James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 8d

Okay, this seems even worse: "at least a quarter of the investigations originated from people with no relationship to the schools in question. For example, a single right-wing journalist has instigated at least 15 such inquests."

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James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 8d

"the Department of Education opened 25 antisemitism investigations of postsecondary educational institutions in the last two months of 2023 – more than all previous years combined. In 2024, that figure would climb to 38 investigations, and 2025 is on pace to be another record-breaking year."

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 8d

Today, Darryl Li examines the alarming rise in campus antisemitism investigations—inquests that are often sparked by outside complaints, lack concrete evidence, and lay the groundwork for future crackdowns and grievances.

The Rising Threat of Antisemitism Investigations

In the fall of 2023, the Department of Education launched more antisemitism investigations into colleges and universities than in all previous years combined. This record was surpassed in 2024 and is…

lpeproject.org

1 3 6

Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 8d

Today, Darryl Li examines the alarming rise in campus antisemitism investigations—inquests that are often sparked by outside complaints, lack concrete evidence, and lay the groundwork for future crackdowns and grievances.

The Rising Threat of Antisemitism Investigations

In the fall of 2023, the Department of Education launched more antisemitism investigations into colleges and universities than in all previous years combined. This record was surpassed in 2024 and is…

lpeproject.org

8 9

Reposted by James Brandt

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 9d

I fully understand how difficult it is to remain focused on any one particular atrocity but this really ought to be a serious scandal and people need to pay heavy prices for this

Michael Paarlberg @mpaarlberg.bsky.social · 9d

I think the Trump admin assumed no one would try to find out who the people on the boats they blew up really were

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Reposted by James Brandt

Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 9d

Sounds like America may have committed a serious war crime that VP Vance laughed about, joking about “not going finishing.” This is why we do not permit extrajudicial executions by the United States military against civilians— not in peacetime, not in war, not ever.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/w...

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Reposted by James Brandt

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 9d

As @evanbernick.bsky.social wrote back in January, "When the Supreme Court eventually weighs in on the order, we will not learn whether it is constitutional. We will learn whether the Supreme Court is prepared to follow the Constitution."

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James Brandt @jamesbrandt.bsky.social · 9d

boooo. here's hoping it's something minor!

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