Not Another Politics Podcast

Not Another Politics Podcast

Author: University of Chicago Podcast Network Language: English Episodes: 100
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant churn of political news, where hot takes often replace deeper understanding. Not Another Politics Podcast cuts through that noise by grounding current events in the tools of political science. Hosted by Harris School of Public Policy professors William Howell, Anthony Fowler, and Wioletta Dziuda, this conversation from the University of Chicago Podcast Network moves past opinion and anecdote. Instead, each episode applies rigorous scholarship, analysis of large data sets, and foundational theory to the day’s biggest stories. What you’ll hear is a thoughtful examination of the mechanisms, institutions, and voter behaviors that actually drive outcomes, offering clarity where there is typically confusion. This isn’t a reactionary debate show; it’s a space where academic insight meets practical politics, giving you a more durable framework for understanding power, policy, and elections. Tune in for a genuinely fresh perspective that prioritizes evidence over echo chambers, making this podcast a resource for anyone who wants to move beyond the headlines and understand the why behind the news.
Episodes
Is This the Most Unexpected Voter Turnout Strategy Ever? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:09
What if one of the most powerful tools to boost voter turnout isn’t a flashy campaign or a new voting law—but being randomly forced to work the polls? In this episode, we explore a surprising study of women in 1930s Spai…
Should Judges Be Elected Like Politicians? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:01
Hello listeners, we're taking a much-needed spring break here at the podcast, but we want to re-share one of our episodes that has become increasingly salient. One of the defining features of the Trump administration so…
Can Meritocratic Hiring Fix the Bureaucracy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:42
Led by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE, Americans are debating once again how our government should hire civil servants, but are we asking the right questions? In this episode, we dive into a compelling new…
Why Does America Pay More For Infrastructure? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:42
Infrastructure in the U.S. now costs dramatically more than in countries like Germany or Croatia—without clear signs of higher quality or better environmental outcomes. Why has infrastructure spending spiraled out of con…
Do Voters Sometimes Support Parties They Actually Disagree With? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:13
In elections across democracies, we assume voters cast ballots for candidates whose policies align with their interests. But what happens when that's not the case? This week, we unpack a political puzzle from Japan: the…
How Do Political Outsiders Build Loyalty With New Administrations? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
What happens when a political outsider takes power and shakes up the system? In this episode, we look at a fascinating case study that reveals how leaders outside the establishment build loyalty, push their agendas, and…
What Can Political Science Learn from Crypto Governance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:10
There’s a real-world experiment in governance happening that you’ve probably not heard about. It involves decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). These online collectives are trying to run billion-dollar enterpris…
Is The "Strong Economy Equals Incumbent Victory" Theory Wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:24
Conventional wisdom says that a strong economy helps incumbents, while a weak economy hurts them. But new research from University of Chicago economist Lubos Pastor titled “Political Cycles and Stock Returns” challenges…
What Are The Forces Shaping Polarization in Congress? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:37
Why does Congress feel more divided than ever? Are politicians genuinely becoming more extreme, or is something else at play? In this episode, we take on the polarization debate with a twist. Anthony Fowler sits down wit…
Do Voters Elect Politicians Just Based On Looks? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:19
On our last episode we had a discussion about what voters care about when electing politicians…and we mentioned a prior episode where we discussed if something as seemingly arbitrary as looks factor into voter choice. Do…