Prof. Gerald Baier explains why politicians opt for legal challenges over referendums to solve controversial decisions
The Vancouver Park Board recently voted to pursue legal avenues against its elimination. Professor Gerald Baier explains that many local and municipal politicians choose legal routes over referendums to preserve their reputations. However, this also decreases their direct accountability to the electorate.
Prof. Max Cameron discusses Canadian electoral reform
Motion 86 failed in the House of Commons despite Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2015 promise for electoral reform. Professor Max Cameron discusses the current First Past-the-Post system and explains how Proportional Representation and Ranked Ballot Voting systems would work.
Dr. Irene Bloemraad appointed as President’s Excellence Chair in Global Migration and Professor of Political Science
Dr. Irene Bloemraad will join the University of British Columbia as the President’s Excellence Chair in Global Migration and as a Professor in the Departments of Political Science and Sociology. She will also serve as the Co-Director of the Centre of Migration Studies.
Prof. Gerald Baier comments on MLA Selina Robinson’s removal as B.C.’s Minister of Advanced Education
Premier Eby removed MLA Selina Robinson as Minister of Education because of her inaccurate Palestine comments. Professor Gerald Baier suggests Eby’s hesitancy to remove Robinson was due to party loyalty and a desire for perceived cabinet stability.
Prof. Matthew Wright’s new article studies Asian American representation in U.S. Legislatures
Professor Matthew Wright’s new article aims to fill the research gap about Asian American representation in U.S. Legislatures. Wright studies their ingroup support and cross-over appeal to other races.
UBC Students contribute to recent SAR Student Advocacy Report
Scholars at Risk publish an annual Student Advocacy Report featuring student research on human rights. This year features POLI 334 student advocacy, including an Instragram post and book display in Koerner Library educating UBC students about imprisoned scholars and the university’s student advocacy program.
Prof. Barbara Arneil discusses her “strive to create organic political theory”
Professor Barbara Arneil discusses her passion for teaching and political theory with student led newspaper, The Ubyssey. Arneil explains her career journey from undergraduate to her recent Order of Canada appointment and shares her plans to create “organic political theory” in an upcoming book.
Prof. Kathryn Harrison says calls to pause Canadian LNG exports are an “uphill battle.”
President Biden’s recent decision to pause U.S. LNG exports has prompted calls for B.C. to follow suit. Professor Kathryn Harrison explains that this is an “uphill battle” given B.C.’s three biggest parties support LNG development.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Mark Zacher Distinguished Speaker Lecture
This year, the Department Political Science celebrates the 10th year of the Mark Zacher Distinguished Speaker Lecture. The Zacher Lecture was created to honour former UBC Political Science Professor Mark Zacher’s contribution to the teaching, understanding and scholarship of international affairs. Each year, the Department invites a prominent scholar, leader, or senior elected official who […]
Prof. Matthew Wright’s new publication explores American public opinon about immigration
Professor Matthew Wright explains that dividing American public opinion on Immigration into two distinct groups is inaccurate. This publication rethinks the role of public opinion in immigration matters and argues that comprehensive immigration reform can win in the court of public opinion.