Stars, Stripes, and Insights: Exploring US Politics and Democracy

For decades, the Democratic Party has commanded the overwhelming support of racial and ethnic minority voters in the United States. However, there has been much speculation over whether Donald Trump is on course to win the highest support from minority voters of any Republican in half a century. This talk unpacks these apparent changes by identifying three explanations: sorting, dealignment, and racialisation. While there is some evidence of shifting voting behaviour, these trends are complicated by the way in which race, ethnicity, and party allegiance are measured by social scientists.

While some politicians accused of sexual assault and harassment have faced consequences, others have weathered the storm and continued their political careers relatively unscathed. We will explore how these allegations impact the credibility and trustworthiness of politicians, using examples from US politics. What role does party affiliation play in shaping public reactions to allegations of sexual misconduct against political figures? How can we ensure that survivors of sexual violence are supported and their voices heard in the pursuit of justice ?