“Circumstantial liberals” concluded their book tour across 10 countries, Prague to Vancouver, Lisbon to Gothenburg. It ended appropriately in Washington D.C., where Martin Luther King once had a dream. The dream of the book is that we stop thinking of ethnicity as a problem, but as an opportunity.

Many are concerned about the return of Babiš to the top of Czech politics. While the results of this weekend's Czech legislative election poses its concerns, I am an optimist. I think Babiš's victory is rather Pyrrhic. Here are some thoughts: blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...

The 2025 Czech election – Andrej Babiš’s Pyrrhic victory

Andrej Babiš’s ANO won the 2025 Czech election on 3–4 October. Yet as Jan Rovny explains, Babiš will find it challenging to form a stable government.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

Jan Rovny (@jrovny.bsky.social) meets an impressive lineup of critics (@annagbusse.bsky.social, @grigopop.bsky.social, @lenkabustikova.bsky.social, Johanna K. Birnir) of his fantastic book "Circumstantial Liberals: Ethnic Minorities, Political Competition and Democracy" at @apsa.bsky.social 2025

My recent book "Ethnic Minorities, Political Competition, and Democracy" (OUP 2024) argues that minorities can help strengthen and protect democracy. I explain the lessons of the book in a podcast hosted by Licia Cianetti from the @unibirmingham.bsky.social newbooksnetwork.com/ethnic-minor...

Circumstantial Liberals have visited Gothenburg and Lund. Great discussions with colleagues! Many thanks to Johannes Lindval and @jonathanpolk.bsky.social for the invitation and hosting.

🎬 Ethnic minorities in politics: a threat to democracy? They may in fact sometimes be an asset in protecting liberal values, argues @jrovny.bsky.social (@scpo-research.bsky.social, @authlibeu.bsky.social), drawing on cases from Central and Eastern Europe. More in our video: youtu.be/gFKvS_cawvw

"Ethnic minorities can be a positive asset for democracy" - by Jan Rovny

YouTube video by Sciences Po

youtu.be

Let’s not forget that security is a multidimensional concept, and that this below (+10.5 degree C in Feb 2025 in the Arctic circle due to abnormal global temp rise) is the biggest geopolitical security of them all

A sober analysis from @rbreich.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/robertre...

The universities are next

Friends,

open.substack.com

Christina Zuber is hiring a Polish Speaking Postdoc for her new project w/ experience in qualitative methods. I often join this incredibly friendly group for coffee, research discussions and outings and am thankful for Christina's sharp mentorship during my postdoc so apply and join us! :)

In this time of accelerating political decline and augmenting social tension that creep into most spheres of life, my refuge is music — music with friends and neighbors. The best part of making music together: WE MUST LISTEN TO EACH OTHER! m.youtube.com/watch?v=UkaR...

U2 - One

YouTube video by Takari Taka

m.youtube.com

We are thrilled to anounce the release of the 2024 CHES-Europe at chesdata.eu/2024-chapel-.... As always, the data are freely available on the website. Thank you to the hundreds of experts who share their expertise to make these data possible!

✨New publication in Populism & Politics✨ Do minority voters tend to vote for Populist Radical Right Parties (PRRPs)? And why? Though Dutch Muslim minorities are much less likely to vote for the PVV, French and German Muslim minorities are actually just as likely to... 🧵

The Importance of In-group Favouritism in Explaining Voting for PRRPs: A Study of Minority and Majority Groups in France, Germany and the Netherlands - ECPS

Please cite as:

populismstudies.org

So I’m curious, if the US invades Canada would that falsify the democratic peace theory or prove the US is no longer a democracy?

💡 Last week, Prof. @jrovny.bsky.social @sciencespo.bsky.social visited the EUI as part of the @civica.bsky.social's short visits. In an interview, Prof. Rovny shares insights from his lecture on ethnic minorities at the EUI & delves into his latest #research projects. Read more ▶️ loom.ly/9jZkyok

📣 Roundtable Book Presentation of @jrovny.bsky.social - Ethnic Minorities, Political Competition, and Democracy: Circumstantial Liberals w/@sciencespo.bsky.social School of Public Affairs 📅 5 Feb. 5-7 pm 📍Sciences Po Registration & Information⤵️ www.sciencespo.fr/centre-etude...

📣Summer school on "Challenges to Electoral Democracy", Paris, July 1-5, 2025📣 Organized with @rdassonneville.bsky.social Guest speakers: @ainagallego.bsky.social @florianfoos.bsky.social @sldelange.bsky.social @simonchauchard.bsky.social @jrovny.bsky.social More info👇

We're sharing an early Christmas present - a lovely list of incredibly talented and accomplished speakers for our spring edition of the CP Seminar Series @pollu.bsky.social. Thanks to @agustingoenaga.bsky.social and Kajsa Hansson for putting it all together and to the fantastic presenters! 👇🏼

Specifically, Minahil Malik, Jesper Svensson, @saorhan.bsky.social @jrovny.bsky.social @grahn.bsky.social Marie Björnstjerna and @profjanegreen.bsky.social!! Can't wait for you to visit us!

🗳️ Some thoughts on the 1st round of the 🇷🇴 #RomanianPresidentialElections as it now seems clear that the dark horse cand. Georgescu (no party, far-right) and Lasconi (USR, center-right, cult. progressive) will fight it out in the 2nd round (although PSD will prob appeal & there might be a recount) 🧵

Energies as social networks Nuke = Twitter (once great, now outdated) Coal = TikTok (toxic, creates dependency) Oil = Facebook (mainstream, cheap, your parents love it) Gas = LinkedIn (less toxic, creates jobs) Hydrogen = Threads (overhyped, obscure) Renewables = Bluesky (cool but too exclusive)

Thrilled to announce the release of Uprooted: How Post-WWII Population Transfers Remade Europe with Cambridge UP 🎉🎉 The book argues that accommodating the displaced population can strengthen states and benefit local economies in the long run. 📚 [Amazon: tinyurl.com/24m2mbkf] See thread below:

How do illiberal movements, think tanks & social groups network? Can they influence politics? Join us online! 🗓️ Nov 27 (Wed) at 4pm CET 🗣️Ivan Tranfic & Batuhan Eren (Scuola Normale Superiore), @zsolt.bsky.social (CEU), @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social www.authlib.eu/transnationa...

The Transnationalization of the Illiberal Right: Ideas, Frames, Events and Networks

Join us on Nov 27 online for a discussion on the transnationalization of the radical right exploring the development of networks, and spread of frames and ideas.

authlib.eu

I spent all of this morning here. There is a seat, so I sat there, and read a number of articles in preparation of a literature review for a paper. Whenever my eyes left the page, I gazed at the winter scene on the Seine as seen by Monet over a century ago. He may need to go in the acknowledgments.

I am happy to announce that the Sciences Po Scientific Council has unanimously recommended my promotion, acted by the University. As of January 1st, I am a Professor. I am particularly grateful to my wonderful coauthors, great colleagues & staff @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social & my family!

Can illiberals be democrats? How do they fare in Europe? 🎙️In this interview recorded w/ CEU's Review of Democracy, Cas Mudde @universityofga.bsky.social & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social (GMF) discuss illiberalism, democracy & the far right in Europe. 🎧💻Listen & read 👇 www.authlib.eu/interview-ca...

"Democracy Cannot Really Function If It Is Not Liberal" - Interview with Cas Mudde

What is illiberalism? Can illiberals be democrats? What do they do in power? Professor Cas Mudde answers questions core to AUTHLIB's research agenda.

authlib.eu

Finally some good news!

Donald Tusk elected as Polish prime minister

Mr Tusk's coalition won the elections in October, but had not been able to take office until now.

bbc.co.uk

We are calling for a more effective political mandate for EU leadership. iep.unibocconi.eu/creating-man...

Polish election: breakdown by age. The lesson is that younger people are of course more likely to vote for the democratic opposition, but also more likely for the radical right Konfederacja. Education will play a key role.

Among people under thirty, support for the AfD has been ~higher~ than in the rest of the voting population - both in the state elections of Hessen and Bavaria.