Browse research papers in Political Science and International Relations - Social Sciences Discover 15 academic papers with AI-powered analysis

What Does China Want?

Contrary to the prevailing narrative, this analysis suggests that China's primary goals are focused on domestic stability, maintaining its existing territorial claims (especially Taiwan), and expanding economic relations, not global domination or displacement of the US. These aims are shown to be long-standing and consistent, inherited from previous dynasties rather than newly formed under Xi Jinping.

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paper_1472.pdf

Sep 13, 11:25 AM

Persuadable voters decided the 2022 midterm: Abortion rights and issues-based frameworks for studying election outcomes

This study analyzed survey data and found that abortion became a more salient issue for voters in the 2022 midterm elections compared to 2020, significantly influencing Independent voters and contributing to Democratic support. While crime and immigration also mattered, abortion's increased importance, likely due to the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v Wade, appears to be a key factor in the election outcome. The study is observational, limiting causal inference.

Democratic Reforms in Dictatorships: Elite Divisions, Party Origins, and the Prospects of Political Liberalization

This paper examines how elite divisions within authoritarian regimes impact political liberalization, finding that the origins of the ruling party play a crucial moderating role. Elite divisions are more likely to lead to liberalization when the ruling party did *not* originate from national struggles (revolutions, etc.), like in Portugal's Carnation Revolution. However, when parties arise from such struggles, as with China's CCP, they can effectively use carrots and sticks to prevent elite divisions from sparking reform.

Political and economic protests in authoritarian regimes

This theoretical model explores how the types of demands made during protests in authoritarian regimes (economic vs. political) influence whether the dictator accommodates or represses the protesters. It finds that economic protests are more likely to be accommodated, while political protests tend to get shut down, and that protesters' income levels influence the kinds of demands they make.

From stealth to pragmatism: A telling shift in UK politicians' views on climate action, 2018–2023

This qualitative study interviewed 15 UK Members of Parliament (MPs) and held a focus group with climate-focused civil society actors, finding a shift towards mainstream acceptance of climate change as an issue among MPs since 2018. However, this support appears fragile, conditional, and often focused on "pragmatism" rather than transformative action.

Debunking the Genocide Allegations: A Reexamination of the Israel-Hamas War from October 7, 2023 to June 1, 2025

This study refutes allegations of genocide against Gaza during the 2023-2025 war, citing data misrepresentations by Hamas and biased sources, particularly within the humanitarian ecosystem. The research is limited to events up to June 1, 2025, and relies heavily on data and analysis from the politically-affiliated BESA Center, potentially introducing bias. Several appendices with supporting information are to be released at a later date.

BURIED EVIDENCE: UNKNOWN, UNMARKED, AND MASS GRAVES IN INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR

This report documents the existence of unknown, unmarked, and mass graves in Indian-administered Kashmir, containing bodies of those killed in alleged "encounter" killings between 1990-2009. The investigation was limited to 55 villages in 3 out of 10 Kashmir districts and found 2,700 graves containing 2,943+ bodies, mostly men. The report concludes that Indian state actions have created a "landscape and habitus of 'mass burial'" to suppress political dissent.

Effects of international sanctions on age-specific mortality: a cross-national panel data analysis

This study uses cross-country panel data and several statistical techniques to examine the relationship between international sanctions and mortality. While correlation doesn't equal causation, the researchers find evidence suggesting that economic sanctions, particularly those imposed unilaterally by the US, are associated with a substantial increase in deaths, comparable to the mortality burden of armed conflict. However, no significant relationship was found between sanctions imposed concurrently with a UN sanctions regime and mortality.

Threat, Euroscepticism and the Slowdown of EU Integration: A Cultural Evolutionary Perspective

This study suggests that increased cooperation within the European Union during the Cold War was driven by the external threat of the Soviet bloc, and the subsequent slowdown was a consequence of reduced external pressure and increased internal competition. Using a limited dataset of seven countries and five decades, they found a strong correlation between increased Eurosceptic voting and stalled integration, indicating a shift towards national interests after the Cold War.

Introduction:

This paper argues that the end of the Cold War marked a turning point in European integration. The study suggests a correlation between increased Eurosceptic voting and decreased delegation of powers to supranational bodies after the Cold War, supported by analysis based on a small set of decades and a limited selection of EU member states. This is interpreted as a shift from between-group to within-group selection pressures.

Pandemics Change Cities: Municipal Spending and Voter Extremism in Germany, 1918-1933

German cities with higher influenza mortality during the 1918-1920 pandemic spent less per capita in the following decade, particularly on services used by the young. Higher influenza mortality also correlated with a greater share of votes for right-wing extremist parties, especially the Nazis, in the 1932-1933 elections, potentially exacerbated by historical anti-semitism and radio propaganda.

Nationalism and sexuality: middle-class morality and sexual norms in Modern Europe

The review discusses George L. Mosse's book, which argues that nationalism and respectability (bourgeois norms) are intrinsically linked. Mosse demonstrates how these norms influenced sexuality and gender roles in modern Europe, particularly in Germany.

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Aydogan_Nationalism-and-sexuality_2021.pdf

Jul 14, 06:44 AM

Political Science and International Relations

Paperzilla Papers in Political Science and International Relations

What Does China Want?

Persuadable voters decided the 2022 midterm: Abortion rights and issues-based frameworks for studying election outcomes

Democratic Reforms in Dictatorships: Elite Divisions, Party Origins, and the Prospects of Political Liberalization

Political and economic protests in authoritarian regimes

From stealth to pragmatism: A telling shift in UK politicians' views on climate action, 2018–2023

Debunking the Genocide Allegations: A Reexamination of the Israel-Hamas War from October 7, 2023 to June 1, 2025

BURIED EVIDENCE: UNKNOWN, UNMARKED, AND MASS GRAVES IN INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR

Effects of international sanctions on age-specific mortality: a cross-national panel data analysis

Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

Al and Misinformation: A Growing Threat to Democracy and Trust

Al and Misinformation: A Growing Threat to Democracy and Trust

Threat, Euroscepticism and the Slowdown of EU Integration: A Cultural Evolutionary Perspective

Introduction:

Pandemics Change Cities: Municipal Spending and Voter Extremism in Germany, 1918-1933

Nationalism and sexuality: middle-class morality and sexual norms in Modern Europe