On 19 November, Professor Gabriel Lenz will give his inaugural lecture as adjunct professor at the Department of Political Science.

The lecture will take place in Auditorium A1 at the Department of Political Science from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. After the inaugural lecture, there will be a reception in the staff lounge. 

Title: “The Shallow Roots of Deep Divides”

Description: Although polarization in American politics often appears deep and immovable, much of it may rest on surprisingly shallow foundations. Policy alignments have clearly grown, yet many citizens’ views seem to shift with party cues rather than reflect durable ideological commitments. Drawing on decades of survey evidence, this talk considers how learning where the parties and candidates stand may shape people’s attitudes—and how forgetting those positions can quickly erode polarization. At the same time, it is almost certainly the case that on some issues of real personal or moral significance, policy convictions do guide votes and endure. Still, the broader pattern of policy polarization may owe more to episodic waves of attention, partisan signaling, and short-lived reinforcement than to entrenched, calcified belief.

All are welcome. No registration needed.