Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 10m

Hahrie is such an inspiring and brilliant scholar, and I’m so glad she’s getting this well-deserved recognition! (That’s my boss y’all!!!)

Hahrie Han @hahrie.bsky.social · 1h

Totally, completely flabbergasted. #MacFellow

hub.jhu.edu/2025/10/08/h...

Johns Hopkins political scientist Hahrie Han receives MacArthur genius grant

Han, who studies political organizing and collective action and who has led the university's SNF Agora Institute since 2019, among 22 individuals to receive coveted MacArthur Foundation recognition

hub.jhu.edu

1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 15m

Congrats Hahrie!!! So well deserved!!

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Laura Helmuth @laurahelmuth.bsky.social · 6h

Six of the nine Nobel Prize winners this year work in the U.S.
Three of the six were born outside the U.S., which is the pattern most years. No country has benefited more from welcoming immigrants from around the world.
www.nobelprize.org

The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org

The Nobel Prize rewards science, humanism and peace efforts. This is one of the central concepts in the will of Alfred Nobel, and it also permeates the outreach activities that have been developed for...

www.nobelprize.org

22 370 990

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 23h

JHU has so many buildings named Bloomberg that I have to actually send people street addresses and dropped pins to specify which location I mean

1 2

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 1d

Like many others, I've been feeling a lot of whiplash lately as I try to write about interest groups, policymaking, and democracy, so this is a welcome reminder to look forward and think about what's needed ahead.

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

1 3

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 12d

I’m starting to notice a trend in the polling data…

—Top Public Worry: Corruption

—Biggest problem in Fed Gov: Corruption

—Top fear: Corruption

—What one word would you use to describe American government?: “Corrupt”

It’s almost like voters are trying to tell us something.

Top 10 American Fears of 2024 (Chapman Survey)
Horizontal bar chart ranking the top fears of Americans (percentage “afraid” or “very afraid”):
1. Corrupt government officials (65.2%, top fear for years).
2. Loved ones becoming seriously ill (58.4%).
3. Cyberterrorism (58.3%).
4. Loved ones dying (57.8%).
5. Russia using nuclear weapons (55.8%).
6. Not having enough money for the future (55.7%).
7. U.S. becoming involved in another world war (55.0%).
8. North Korea using nuclear weapons (55.0%).
9. Terrorist attack (52.7%).
10. Biological warfare (52.5%).
Red bars display percentages; small arrows indicate change from 2023 rankings.

Top Public Worries in the U.S. (Yale & GMU poll, May 2025)
Stacked bar chart of worries among U.S. adults. Categories ranked by share “very worried”:
• Government corruption (54% very worried, top issue).
• Other leading concerns: cost of living (48%), the economy (47%), state of democracy (44%), disruption of federal services (44%), cultural/social divisions (36%), treatment of immigrants (35%), global warming (29%), crime (26%).
• Lower worries include job security (17%), health (16%), and being targeted because of identity/beliefs (15%).
Green shades show “very/somewhat worried,” yellow/orange shades show “not very/not at all worried.

Perceptions of Federal Government Problems (AP-NORC poll)
Bar chart showing the percentage of U.S. adults who consider various issues in the federal government to be a major problem, minor problem, or not a problem.
• Corruption: Overall 70% major, 22% minor, 7% not a problem. Higher among Republicans (78%) than Democrats (63%).
• Inefficiency: 65% major overall, with Republicans (81%) much higher than Democrats (55%).
• Red tape (bureaucracy): 59% major overall, with Republicans (73%) higher than Democrats (47%).
• Civil servants unwilling to implement president’s agenda: More partisan split—Republicans 56% major problem, Democrats 20% major problem; overall 34% major, 36% minor, 28% not a problem.
Title: “Majority of the public believe corruption, inefficiency, and red tape are major problems in the federal government.

Word Cloud of How People Describe American Government (Berkeley Democracy Policy Lab)
Large central word: “Corrupt.” Other prominent words: Broken, Chaotic, Dysfunctional, Shit, Clueless, Divided, Inefficient, Crooked, Hijacked, Justice, Woke, Bloated, Untrustworthy, Hopeless, Frustrated, Disastrous, Messy, Sneaky, Turmoil, Delusional. Smaller scattered words include both negative and neutral terms such as Crap, Important, Poder, Resilient, Unfocused, Needs Help. Visual emphasizes “Corrupt” as the dominant public perception.

89 840 2.3K

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 14d

IMO, when it comes to "who is a liberal," rather than judging people by what they say or intend, we should be looking at the real, knowable effects and functions of their actions. Through that lens it is hard to argue that certain SC justices or policymakers are continuing the liberal tradition.

Isaac Chotiner @ichotiner.bsky.social · 15d

New Interview: www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...

2 4

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

John Foley @2008philz.bsky.social · 16d

HOLY SHIT GO BIRDS 🦅 🏈

13 41 280

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 20d

As I argued earlier this year, businesses have become increasingly incapable of working collectively towards their economic and political interests. Their silence and willingness to cave to the administration will hurt the economy, the rule of law, and democracy.

www.promarket.org/2025/05/09/t...

6 19

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 22d

Calling political sociologists and political scientists! Submissions are open for the 2nd People-ing Politics Mini-Conference at ESS! This year's theme is "Bringing the People Back In." To submit a paper, please use the ESS conference portal and be sure to choose our mini-conference. www.essnet.org

1 5 10

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 22d

To learn more about People-ing Politics, read our manifesto here: sasn.rutgers.edu/sheila-y-oli...

@daniellaurison.bsky.social @blackcapitol.bsky.social

Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America | People-ing Politics (Our Manifesto)

sasn.rutgers.edu

1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 22d

We're also excited to host a one-day symposium on March 5 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in DC, featuring discussions with scholars and practitioners on the roles we can play in fighting against authoritarianism, defending research, and promoting democracy. Save the date and stay tuned!

1 2

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · 22d

Calling political sociologists and political scientists! Submissions are open for the 2nd People-ing Politics Mini-Conference at ESS! This year's theme is "Bringing the People Back In." To submit a paper, please use the ESS conference portal and be sure to choose our mini-conference. www.essnet.org

1 5 10

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · 29d

Texas A&M’s President just removed a dean and department head from their positions after they supported a professor whose lesson on gender was challenged by a student. www.kbtx.com/2025/09/09/a...

A&M Dean removed following student complaints over curriculum

The Department of Justice has also acknowledged the situation and said it would be investigating.

www.kbtx.com

95 280 580

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

Very excited to share my new paper in Socius, "Unicorns and Hacks": Revolving Door Lobbyists and the Cultivation of Political Credibility ! And it's open access!!

Many thanks to my respondents, research assistants, and colleagues for making this paper possible.

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

1 6 26

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 5

TIL that a sentence like "I'm done the book" is not actually standard English. My husband insisted it sounds wrong and no one says that, but I've said it all my life and it sounds correct to me. Being a nerd, I looked into it, and alas, it is a Philly-ism: ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/do...

Done my homework | Yale Grammatical Diversity Project: English in North America

ygdp.yale.edu

2

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Defector @defector.com · Sep 4

It’s mega-fucked that SEPTA has to be bailed out by a betting app: defector.com/its-mega-fuc...

It's Mega-Fucked That SEPTA Has To Be Bailed Out By A Betting App | Defector

Prior to Philadelphia’s Thursday home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles’ stadium put out a travel advisory for attending fans. The home opener comes 11 days after SEPTA, the Philly metro…

defector.com

1 12 59

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 4

NFL ads: YOU HUNGRY. You order. We make food. You eat food. YUM.

US Open ads: You deserve the finest in life. Here is our AI-powered wealth management system for you and your beneficiaries to have peace of mind as you enjoy our exclusive lounges and concierge services on sinking tropical islands

1 11

Reposted by Wendy Y. Li

Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World @sociusjournal.bsky.social · Sep 2

🦄 Who gets heard in Washington?

Dr. @wendyyli.bsky.social (from @jhu.edu)'s #Socius study unpacks how revolving-door #Lobbyists cultivate #PoliticalCredibility through claims to #Expertise & #InsiderKnowledge.

Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...

1 1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

This paper was a long time coming and has been through so many revisions. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of making it happen.

1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

3. To study lobbying, we cannot just rely on lobbying disclosures. We have to get into the field, talk to people, and observe actual lobbying behavior to understand the substance of what lobbyists do and how they shape our policies and political institutions.

1 1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

2. Most research on RD lobbyists tends to focus on those who move from in one direction, from gov't to lobbying. My findings show the importance of looking at longer career trajectories, and how the ordering and timing of multiple career transitions matters for how lobbyists do their work.

1 1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

My findings have a few implications:
1. Prior research has emphasized how RD lobbyists provide expertise. Substantive or technical expertise was rarely invoked in my interviews; rather, respondents tended to emphasize flexibility, claims to general knowledge, ease with a broad range of subjects.

1 1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

Because RD careers vary, so do lobbyists' political credibility. The revolving door also stratifies elites and interest groups - capital begets capital. While some RD lobbyists are mobile and distinguish themselves over time, others might stagnate as their credibility fades.

1 1

Wendy Y. Li @wendyyli.bsky.social · Sep 2

But, credibility from prior jobs can also depreciate over time - they lose connections, up-to-date knowledge, insider status, etc.

Revolving again means people can regain and refresh some of that credibility, and cultivate new claims. This can also facilitate future occupational mobility.

1 1