Does trade between nations genuinely promote peace, or is this belief overly simplistic? In this episode, we dive into the influential study by Philippe Martin, Thierry Mayer, and Mathias Thoenig, exploring whether economic interdependence really helps prevent military conflicts or inadvertently escalates tensions.

Join us as we discuss surprising findings: countries with bilateral trade are less likely to engage in war, but multilateral trade openness might increase global tensions by reducing the opportunity cost of conflict with a single partner. Learn how trade shapes alliances, affects geopolitical stability, and what policymakers can take from these insights to avoid unintended consequences.

📖 Citation: Martin, Philippe, Mayer, Thierry, & Thoenig, Mathias. 2008. "Make Trade Not War?" The Review of Economic Studies 75(3): 865–900.

Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com.

Let's unpack the complex dynamics between trade and peace together, one insightful episode at a time!

Ever wondered about the real-world consequences of trade wars beyond economic headlines? In this episode, we dive into Edward Mansfield and Omer Solodoch's compelling research on how the escalating 2018 U.S.-China trade war reshaped American politics.

Discover how retaliatory tariffs announced by China impacted public support for President Trump and the Republican Party, uncovering that voters' reactions were driven more by national economic concerns than by personal or local interests. We explore how this economic clash influenced the 2018 midterm elections, reshuffling political preferences and voter decisions in real-time.

📖 Citation: Mansfield, Edward D., & Solodoch, Omer. 2024. "Political Costs of Trade War Tariffs." The Journal of Politics 86(3): 1098–1103.

Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com.

Let's unpack the politics behind trade conflicts together, one insightful episode at a time!

Ever wondered what really separates populism from nationalism? In this episode, we unpack Ashutosh Varshney's compelling analysis of the key similarities and critical differences between these two powerful political phenomena.

We'll explore why populism is often anti-elitist and thrives on relentless popular mobilization, whereas nationalism frequently operates within established institutions, sometimes quietly, sometimes fervently. When do these concepts overlap, and what are the real-world consequences?

📖 Citation: Varshney, Ashutosh. 2021. "Populism and Nationalism: An Overview of Similarities and Differences." Studies in Comparative International Development 56:131–147. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-021-09332-x]

Thoughts or questions? Reach us at 📩 contact@politicalsciencedigest.com.

Join us as we untangle the complexities of populism and nationalism, one digestible episode at a time!