PoliSci for Campaigners – Bob Maranto (University of Arkansas)

Summary:

In this episode of "The Business of Politics Show," host Eric Wilson interviews Bob Maranto, a professor and political scientist at the University of Arkansas. They discuss the field of political science and the impact of polarization in academia on the study of politics. They also touch on the importance of diverse voices in academia and how practitioners can benefit from political science research.

Topics discussed:

1. Overview of political science as a field of study
2. The evolution of political science from con law and history to a more scientific approach
3. The need for political science to have more impact on K-12 education
4. The impact of polarization on academia and the need for ideological diversity
5. The role of field experiments and quantitative research in political science
6. The limitations of experimental research and the importance of real-world context
7. The effects of partisan differences in political science and academia
8. The need for professionalism and pluralism in the field of political science
9. Tips for practitioners to benefit from political science research and understand academic studies

Key takeaways and lessons:

• Political science is a diverse field that has evolved to become more scientific and focused on developing theories for real-world application.
• Political scientists should strive to have more impact on K-12 education to explain the importance of democratic values and pluralism.
• Practitioners can benefit from political science research by building relationships with academics and seeking out studies that address specific topics of interest.
• It is important to approach academic studies with a critical eye, considering the limitations of experimental research and the real-world context in which findings apply.
• The field of political science should strive for ideological diversity to better understand and represent a wide range of perspectives.
• Building relationships between practitioners and academics can lead to a better understanding of each other's perspectives and a more realistic approach to campaigns and policy-making.

References:

• Startup Caucus
• University of Arkansas - Department of Education Reform
• Society for Open Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences
• The Reasoning Voter by Samuel Popkin
• Heterodox Academy
• American Enterprise Institute