You’re invited to join Christopher Berry, William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, The University of Chicago, for an American Politics Speaker Series discussion sponsored by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Center for American Political Studies.
Registration is encouraged but not required. This event series will not be recorded.
This event is open to Harvard ID holders only. Lunch will be served.
Abstract
U.S. federal grants disproportionately flow to Democratic counties, and the correlation between partisanship and grants has been increasing over the last 40 years. Prior grants have become increasingly predictive of Democratic votes, but prior Democratic votes have not become increasingly predictive of grants. Furthermore, counties do not receive more grants as they become more Democratic, nor do they become more Democratic as they receive more grants. The most likely explanation for the increasing correlation between partisanship and grants is that highly educated places have always received more grants but they have become increasingly Democratic for other reasons. Although explicit partisan favoritism may not be the explanation, federal grants have become increasingly politicized and polarizing as Republican places decreasingly benefit from non-formula grants.
About the Series
The United States is a crossroads. How can Americans connect to each other in deep and meaningful ways, despite holding drastically different political world views? What are the causes and consequences of our nation’s historic levels of partisan polarization? Just how far can democratic backsliding go? The American Politics Speaker Series (APSS) aims to bring together scholars who are doing research on these and other important questions. Hosted jointly with the Center for American Political Studies and chaired by Professors Benjamin Schneer and Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, each session will highlight a scholar whose research is at the forefront of the study of American politics.
Event Details
The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to enquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu prior to the event.
Organizer
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation in collaboration with the Center for American Political Studies.
