Al-Shabab, chaos in Somalia and international terrorism
2013 review of scholarship and think tank reports that provide key insights into Somali terror group Al-Shabab’s history, funding and internal politics.
Politics & Government
Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers related to the topic of politics, elections, and local and national governments
Expert Commentary
Political polarization and the American public: From geography to dating
2013 research review on polarization in various areas of American life, including geographical location, social relationships and dating preferences.
Expert Commentary
The debt ceiling and a potential U.S. default: Background research
2013 selection of recent research on the possibility of a U.S. default on its debt and Congressional negotiations over raising the debt ceiling.
Expert Commentary
Beyond guns and god: The complexities of the white working class in America
2012 report from the Public Religion Research Institute on the cultural and political beliefs of white working-class Americans.
Expert Commentary
Federal government shutdown: Causes, processes and effects
2011 report by the Congressional Research Service on the details of a shutdown and the impact of the last such event, in 1995-1996
Expert Commentary
Democracy in the developing world: The role of economic growth, social capital and crime
2013 study in American Economic Review on how perceptions of security in Latin American countries influence trust in democratic institutions.
Expert Commentary
Economic and social change in U.S. cities: Research roundup
2013 review of studies relevant to reporting and coverage of U.S. cities, including research on economics, environment, crime, health and demographics.
Expert Commentary
Terrorist attacks, foreign direct investment and foreign aid
2013 study in Oxford Economic Papers on the impact of terrorism on international investment and the potential offsetting effect of foreign aid.
Expert Commentary
The Arab Spring and the Internet: Research roundup
2013 roundup of recent studies and papers that bring a scholarly, data-driven lens to questions around the Arab Spring and its roots.
Expert Commentary
Tax increment financing, economic development and the financialization of urban politics
2013 paper from Brown University on the origins, use and implications of funding infrastructure projects by securitizing projected increases in property tax receipts.
Expert Commentary