Public opinion, parties, and elections

Prof. Gerald Baier discusses increase of challengers in upcoming Vancouver and Surrey elections

Prof. Gerald Baier discusses increase of challengers in upcoming Vancouver and Surrey elections

With more and more parties and candidates on the ballots, Prof. Gerald Baier predicts that this should actually favour the incumbent McCallum due to vote-splitting.

Prof. Maxwell Cameron calls for return of civility and nonpartisanship to politics

Prof. Maxwell Cameron calls for return of civility and nonpartisanship to politics

Though Prof. Cameron has observed politicians being passionate about serving their constituents, he also notes their at-times “hyper-partisan, adversarial and uncivil behaviours.” Through facilitated reflective discussions, he hopes to solve this issue. “If politicians value civility,” Prof. Cameron writes, “they must learn to model it.”

Prof. Lisa Sundstrom comments on apathy of Russian citizens in Ukraine war

Prof. Lisa Sundstrom comments on apathy of Russian citizens in Ukraine war

Prof. Sundstrom says that although there is some support for the invasion of Ukraine in Russia, “people are just going about their lives … and if it doesn’t impact them directly, they don’t have to worry.” Although external pressure from Ukraine and the world continues to mount on Russia, internal opinions are not showing much change.

Prof. Kurt Hübner on new U.K. PM Liz Truss’ promises: “there are a manifold of challenges”

Prof. Kurt Hübner on new U.K. PM Liz Truss’ promises: “there are a manifold of challenges”

Prof. Kurt Hübner, in CTV News interview, discusses the numerous challenges facing the U.K.’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss, such as her mandate, political popularity, and U.K. economic issues.

Bangladeshi PM’s visit to India sends a “positive message,” says visiting Prof. Swaran Singh

Bangladeshi PM’s visit to India sends a “positive message,” says visiting Prof. Swaran Singh

Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming trip to India will be a highlight of the nations’ golden chapter, says visiting Prof. Singh. “These examples of the changing nature of their bilateral relations have lessons and implications for the larger region.”

Despite his recent successes, “for many, Biden is running out of time,” says Prof. Paul Quirk

Despite his recent successes, “for many, Biden is running out of time,” says Prof. Paul Quirk

The past week has been a major success for the Biden administration: taking down the leader of Al-Qaeda, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the bipartisan veterans bill, and other achievements. Still, “whether Biden’s legislative successes will help him or the Democrats politically is less clear,” Prof. Quirk notes.

Visiting Prof. Swaran Singh writes on the “strategic ambiguity” of the Biden-Xi relationship

Visiting Prof. Swaran Singh writes on the “strategic ambiguity” of the Biden-Xi relationship

Prof. Swaran Singh highlighted the implications of “enduring uncertainties and anxieties” between two of the world’s most powerful leaders, and the consequences of their glamorous personalities. “Short-term gains often dictate strategies of being active without being productive,” wrote Singh.

Photos from our Graduate Research Conference

Photos from our Graduate Research Conference

UBC Political Science would like to congratulate our Graduate Students, who put together a wonderful conference in May. We would particularly like to thank Conference Chair Katelynn Kowalchuk and Keynote Speaker UBC Professor Genevieve Bates.

Joe Biden risks impeachment if Democrats lose both House and Senate

Joe Biden risks impeachment if Democrats lose both House and Senate

Professor Paul Quirk told Newsweek that Republicans “will certainly launch numerous investigations” if they regain majorities, however, any “obviously unwarranted, retaliatory impeachment” would “hurt Republicans in competitive states and districts.”

Prof. Yves Tiberghien on the assassination of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: “this is not the Japan we know”

Prof. Yves Tiberghien on the assassination of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: “this is not the Japan we know”

Expressing his deepest sympathies to the Abe family and the Japanese people, Prof. Yves Tiberghien noted former PM Shinzo Abe’s influence on Japanese politics during and after his leadership, as well as what this tragedy means to Japan’s current political climate.