Presidency Upending

Welcome to Season Two of Presidency Upending! In this first episode, Clare and Zim dive into the complexities of U.S. politics with one of America’s leading experts on election law, Professor Edward B. Foley from Ohio State University.Foley offers historical context and clarity on some of the most perplexing features of American politics, from the Electoral College and campaign finance to the intricacies of social choice theory and the growing challenge of political polarisation.The answer to which, Foley believes, may lie in the work of Melbourne’s very own Edward Nanson, a 19th-century professor whose innovative electoral system inspired Foley’s visit to Australia.Learn more about Professor Foley’s research here: 👉 ERRN Working Paper 2025-1: Foley, Nanson’s Method and American Democracy

In this episode, Clare and Zim, academics from Deakin University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, dive into the complexities of the American election results and ask what another Trump presidency will mean for America, Australia and the world. They are joined by guest speaker, populism expert and Deakin's Executive Dean of Arts and Educations Professor Simon Tormey who provides some intriguing thoughts on what the upcoming US inauguration will mean for us all.

In this fifth, special crossover episode of Presidency Pending and After America, Clare and Zim, joined by Dr Emma Shortis, discuss the coalitions of voters the Democratic and Republican parties are trying to balance and to coax out to vote. Together, they discuss whether reproductive rights will mobilise enough voters for Kamala Harris in key states and the role of Biden in the campaign.

In this episode of Presidency Pending, Clare and Zim delve into the coded language of political campaigns, focusing on "dog whistling" – the subtle yet powerful signals used to appeal to specific voter groups without alienating others. They explore the history of this tactic, its role in modern US elections, and how it shapes discussions on race and immigration. With examples from both US and Australian politics, this episode reveals how dog whistling influences campaigns and the broader political landscape.

In this episode, Clare and Zim, academics from Deakin University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, dive into the complexities of the 2024 US election. They explore the significance of cross-party endorsements, the contrasting communication styles between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and the broader implications of the election for America's future. With insight into Australia's perspective on the US political system, they also tackle issues like political violence and how misinformation is shaping the race.