Top Altmetric Mentions, January 17-24: Political Science
Now, more than ever, it feels like the pressure is on to hash out complex issues in a hurry—on Twitter and Facebook, in attention-grabbing headlines. In a time of quick reactions and heightened polarization, the deeply researched and rigorously reviewed academic books published by university presses can provide the context, data, and nuance that help us all to better understand current events. This has never been more relevant than it is than now, as we reflect on the first week of a new US presidency and the end of Academic Book Week.
Below, please find a sampling of titles from the University of Michigan Press political science list that--thanks to data from Altmetric.com--we’ve recently seen get attention in the news and on social media.
The Politics of Expertise: Competing for Authority in Global Governance
Experts dominate all facets of global governance, from accounting practices and antitrust regulations to human rights law and environmental conservation. In this book, now available in paperback, Ole Jacob Sending encourages a critical interrogation of the role and power of experts by unveiling the politics of the ongoing competition for authority in global governance.
The New Imperial Presidency: Renewing Presidential Power after Watergate
In The New Imperial Presidency, author Andrew Rudalevige suggests that the congressional framework meant to advise and constrain presidential conduct since Watergate has slowly eroded. Rudalevige describes the evolution of executive power in our separated system of governance and discusses the abuse of power that prompted what he calls the "resurgence regime" against the imperial presidency. He also explores how and why—over the four decades that followed Watergate—presidents have regained their standing.
Paradigms and Sand Castles: Theory Building and Research Design in Comparative Politics
Published in 2003, Paradigms and Sand Castles demonstrates the relationship between thoughtful research design and the collection of persuasive evidence in support of theory. It teaches the craft of research through interesting and carefully selected examples from the field of comparative development studies. As recently as January 2017, this book was described as “one of the best research methods in comparative politics books EVER”, and it has been included on at least 52 college syllabi.
