Inside Political Science

Kirby and Todd are back for another semester with new topics beyond the realm of politics! In this episode, they invite Keith Gaddie, author of Bragging Rites: College Football’s Titles, and an expert on the politics of football within the Southeastern Conference. With the implementation of NIL rights, the NCAA transfer portal and the post-season systems, are we past the point of no return? Although athletes are being valued and properly compensated, are they losing sight of the value of their studies? Loyalties towards schools seem to be a thing of the past. Can Congress step in? The professors suggest an easy solution, but don’t think Congress will step in anytime soon. Later, they compare the current conditions of college sports to the past and argue that, in some ways, change is for the better.

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Do Americans think the country is on the wrong track? Between the economy, healthcare, housing, and elections, affordability is a major concern for many Americans. Kirby and Todd discuss how the term has taken over political media. It’s a “new mantra,” they say, but who’s to blame for the lack of affordability many Americans say they’re facing? Later, they talk about the increase in housing prices and the worries of many young Americans. Will they fulfill the “American dream?” Does it reflect uncertainty within the economy? With recent discussion surrounding healthcare and its various programs, what’s ultimately fair and affordable for most Americans? Kirby and Todd say that with patience, there’s hope for a better future.

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience

In this episode, co-host Kirby Goidel is joined by pollster Clifford Young to dive into their new book, "Nativist Nation.” Todd inquires about the current state of the country and how nativism has affected the U.S. Is it a cultural or economic issue? Does nativism define American politics? Who belongs in America? Kirby claims that nativism has always been present in politics, but there’s a time when it lights a fire and is more prominent. Cliff Young says it’s a political driver in the United States. Later, they discuss the role American nativism has on immigration. Do American born citizens feel threatened by immigrants? Do immigrants challenge what it means to be American? Want to learn more, check out Kirby & Clifford’s book, “Nativist Nation.”

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience

It’s off-year election season, but how much significance do these elections have? With the New York City mayoral election in the national spotlight, Kirby and Todd touch on the effects of the election’s outcomes. To what extent does the mayor truly hold power? Although voter mobilization encourages people to get up and vote, it’s the persuasion that truly makes a difference. Later, they touch on the ongoing government shutdown, the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Kirby and Todd question whether the differing benefits for Democratic Party leaders and Republican Party leaders are worth the government standstill. Kirby says if the shutdown truly had profound immediate effects, then our government leaders wouldn’t risk playing the political game – but at what cost?

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience

Have government shutdowns become a strategy for political parties? With the recent American government shutdown, Kirby and Todd say we’ve been here before, except they predict the impact might be greater. Both sides are decisive and don’t want to reach a compromise, but can either party make their case? The two discuss how the shutdown could impact the American people, and they hope that politicians recognize this. They raise questions about who is affected and how they’re affected. As Americans' trust in institutions declines, what impact does this have on democracy? Kirby says, “If we expect the government to do less, the government should do less better.” They share hope that the government shutdown could be a unifying force for our nation, but we’ll have to wait and see.

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

With recent events in America, many people are questioning the American system. Kirby and Todd sit down with Texas A&M Visiting Professor Clifford Young to weigh in on the current state of the country and possible solutions to political challenges. The three discuss how, as satisfaction levels of democracy have decreased, so has political unification. Is the increase in political violence and extremism because of U.S. leaders? Cliff believes the world should have leaders who don’t add fuel to the fire. As educators, their ultimate goal is to provide students with frameworks to make sense of the world. Join the conversation and ease your anxiety with Kirby, Todd, and Cliff as they give context to the political concerns in America. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

The United States of America is entering a new political climate since President Trump took office nine months ago – what are the people saying? Is there a shift in the crime rate? Do people agree with the immigration policies being enforced? What is going on with the economy? With so much change, it can be hard to keep up. Kirby and Todd say President Trump seems to be realigning the political system of the United States. Given the Republican Party's typical ideological alignment with business, they wonder whether increased government involvement could lead American businesses to lose their freedom. What does the Republican Party ultimately want for the country and the American people? Will the Democratic Party be able to bounce back? Kirby and Todd discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of Inside Political Science. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Texas Republicans and Democrats are at odds over redistricting – what does this mean for the future? There’s a lot going on in Texas and across the country. As President Trump embarks on his seventh month in office, Kirby and Todd say he embraces uncertainty, including asking Texas to find more Republican-leaning Congressional districts. Will the evasive strategies of the Texas Democratic Party stop the redistricting push? Kirby and Todd talk about the risks that come with gerrymandering, and why both sides are guilty depending on who’s in power. Later, they dive into party factions and the economy, arguing that politicians tend to overpromise and underperform. The battle for Texas’ Senate seat heats up, as our hosts discuss John Cornyn and Ken Paxton’s attack strategies. Finally, how will tariffs affect the next election cycle? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

How are German politics different from American politics? And which country does it better? Todd presents a special student-focused episode from Passau, Germany, during a Bush School Study Abroad trip. Two Texas A&M students and two University of Passau students engage in a roundtable discussion about the future of politics in the United States and Germany. With election season wrapped up in both nations, students discuss the outcomes and repercussions, and say that after talking about elections for so long, they’re ready for a break. With the rise of social media, students say they don’t know many peers who are in the political center; instead, they believe more young people are moving to political extremes. Plus, the students share their views on American and German governance and which political system works better. Could the U.S. ever replicate the EU? Later, populism hits the debate floor, making students question whether political parties will turn back to their values if political destabilization continues. Finally, Todd asks how students get their news. Do they feel more informed than older generations? Yes and no, but the students can agree on one thing: they’re far less likely to fall for fake news than their parents. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

What’s the role of a pollster? Is it about getting the numbers right? Or can they help us predict the future? Kirby invites Cliff Young from Ipsos to the show to discuss how pollsters measure and interpret public opinion. Cliff says pollsters serve as a bridge between those who govern and those who are governed. They try to understand what people are thinking and how that affects future political outcomes. He says people only see the accuracy of the polls, but there’s a lot more to it: providing narrative and context is critical, and ultimately, their goal is to avoid election surprises. Later, Kirby and Cliff break down nativism and its impact on immigration and tariff policies. There’s a clash over what makes someone an American - is it about birthplace or is it about ideals? With Trump’s focus on immigration and current events in California, Cliff and Kirby agree that nativism isn’t necessarily increasing, but is becoming more polarized. Will we reach a consensus and move on as a nation to another issue? They say no, at least not in the short term. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.