Political Science Digest

Episode 18. Make Trade, Not War – How Commerce Curbs Conflict

Does trade between nations genuinely promote peace, or is this belief overly simplistic? In this episode, we dive into the influential study by Philippe Martin, Thierry Mayer, and Mathias Thoenig, exploring whether economic interdependence really helps prevent military conflicts or inadvertently escalates tensions. Join us as we discuss surprising findings: countries with bilateral trade are less likely to engage in war, but multilateral trade openness might increase global tensions by reducing the opportunity cost of conflict with a single partner. Learn how trade shapes alliances, affects geopolitical stability, and what policymakers can take from these insights to avoid unintended consequences. 📖 Citation: Martin, Philippe, Mayer, Thierry, & Thoenig, Mathias. 2008. "Make Trade Not War?" The Review of Economic Studies 75(3): 865–900. Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com. Let's unpack the complex dynamics between trade and peace together, one insightful episode at a time!

Episode 17. The Political Price of Trade Wars 🌐

Ever wondered about the real-world consequences of trade wars beyond economic headlines? In this episode, we dive into Edward Mansfield and Omer Solodoch's compelling research on how the escalating 2018 U.S.-China trade war reshaped American politics. Discover how retaliatory tariffs announced by China impacted public support for President Trump and the Republican Party, uncovering that voters' reactions were driven more by national economic concerns than by personal or local interests. We explore how this economic clash influenced the 2018 midterm elections, reshuffling political preferences and voter decisions in real-time. 📖 Citation: Mansfield, Edward D., & Solodoch, Omer. 2024. "Political Costs of Trade War Tariffs." The Journal of Politics 86(3): 1098–1103. Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com. Let's unpack the politics behind trade conflicts together, one insightful episode at a time!

Episode 16. Populism vs. Nationalism—Same or Different?

Ever wondered what really separates populism from nationalism? In this episode, we unpack Ashutosh Varshney's compelling analysis of the key similarities and critical differences between these two powerful political phenomena. We'll explore why populism is often anti-elitist and thrives on relentless popular mobilization, whereas nationalism frequently operates within established institutions, sometimes quietly, sometimes fervently. When do these concepts overlap, and what are the real-world consequences? 📖 Citation: Varshney, Ashutosh. 2021. "Populism and Nationalism: An Overview of Similarities and Differences." Studies in Comparative International Development 56:131–147. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-021-09332-x [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-021-09332-x]] Thoughts or questions? Reach us at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com. Join us as we untangle the complexities of populism and nationalism, one digestible episode at a time!

Episode 15. Tariffs and Voters—How Trump's Trade Wars Shaped U.S. Politics

Ever wondered how trade wars shape domestic politics? In Episode 15, we explore Fetzer and Schwarz's insightful analysis of Trump's trade wars, revealing how countries like China and the EU strategically targeted retaliatory tariffs to impact U.S. politics directly. Were these tariffs designed purely for economic retaliation, or did they aim to pressure Trump's voter base? Join us to unpack how international trade disputes become tools of political influence, merging economics, elections, and global power dynamics. 📖 Citation: Fetzer, Thiemo & Schwarz, Carlo. (2020). "Tariffs and Politics: Evidence from Trump’s Trade Wars." The Economic Journal, 131(636), 1717–1741. [https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueaa122] Thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you—reach us at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com. Let's dive into political science, one digestible episode at a time!

Episode 14. Who Really Pays for Tariffs?

Ever wondered who actually bears the cost when tariffs rise? In this episode, we unpack groundbreaking research by Alberto Cavallo, Gita Gopinath, Brent Neiman, and Jenny Tang on how tariffs imposed during recent US-China trade disputes have impacted prices at the border—and in stores. We explore how tariffs affect import prices, retail margins, and consumer costs. Do importers fully pass tariffs to consumers, or do retailers absorb some costs? Why are tariffs more readily passed to consumers than currency exchange fluctuations? Join us as we untangle the economic realities of tariffs in global trade. 📖 Citation: Cavallo, Alberto, Gopinath, Gita, Neiman, Brent, & Tang, Jenny. 2021. "Tariff Pass-Through at the Border and at the Store: Evidence from US Trade Policy." American Economic Review: Insights 3(1): 19-34. [https://doi.org/10.1257/aeri.20190536] Have thoughts or questions? Reach us at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com. Let's uncover the hidden impacts of trade policies together, one digestible episode at a time!