Anand E. Sokhey

How Do Environments Shape the Presence and Degree of Interpersonal Political Interactions?

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:19:27 +0000

How Do Environments Shape the Presence and Degree of Interpersonal Political Interactions? Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:19

How Do Environments Shape the Presence and Degree of Interpersonal Political Interactions?

By: Stone Neilon, Anand E. Sokhey, Matthew T. Pietryka

Abstract:

We investigate how two types of environments shape interpersonal political interactions: demographic environments and built environments.
We find relationships between the demographic (partisan) environment effects and both core and acquaintance network composition.
Individuals residing in counties with more Democrats (Republicans) name more Democrats (Republicans) in their core networks, as well as in their acquaintance networks.
We find little support that the built environment – at least as measured – predicts patterns of interpersonal political interaction.

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Marital Transitions and Political Behavior

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:13:17 +0000

Marital Transitions and Political Behavior Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:13

Marital Transitions and Political Behavior

By: Stone Neilon, Anand E. Sokhey, Matthew T. Pietryka

Abstract:

In this early draft, we build upon previous political science research documenting the effect of
life events on political behavior, using the ANES 2016-2020-2024 panel dataset to test the effect
of marital status change on a range of political outcomes. We employ OLS and logistic regression
models with lagged dependent variables, finding that moving from unmarried to married is associated
with more liberal attitudes and a greater belief that women experience discrimination in the United
States. Respondents who moved from married to divorced are associated with reduced ideological
extremity. We find no statistically significant effects (p < .05) for respondents moving from married to
widowed; however, suggestive evidence emerges at the p < .10 level for political discussion networks, religious importance, and political affect. We propose two mechanisms through which marital status change exerts its effects: psychological processes and alterations in social networks. Future iterations will include additional model specifications and alternative data sources to better characterize the relationship between marital status change and political behavior.

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Walkability and Voter Turnout

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:10:20 +0000

Walkability and Voter Turnout Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:10

Walkability and Voter Turnout

By: Stone Nielon, Anand E. Sokhey

Abstract:

Do features of the built environment influence rates of political participation? In this paper we consider the relationship between walkability—i.e.,the ease of walking to amenities in an area—and turnout in the contemporary United States. Focusing on census block groups in the country’s 25 most populated Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), we leverage the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) walkability indices and aggregate voting data from the 2016, 2018, and 2020 election cycles. We find that areas with higher walkability have higher official turnout; this association obtains across primary and general election contests, in the presence of controls for a variety of socioeconomic factors, and under different modeling choices. In subsequent analyses we bring in novel data on the difficulty of voting in states to consider whether the apparent benefits of walkability can be better understood through traditional notions of “cost-based” versus socially-grounded theories of mass behavior. Our results suggest that both explanations have purchase, though on balance we think the evidence points more towards social factors. We discuss the implications of our findings as they relate to both political geography and longstanding theories of democratic functioning.

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Growth, Demographics, Slavery, and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840-1860

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:35:20 +0000

Growth, Demographics, Slavery, and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840-1860 Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:35

Growth, Demographics, Slavery, and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840-1860

By: Alex Jensen, Madeline Mader, Srinivas “Chinnu” Parinandi, Anand Edward Sokhey, Michael Byrd

Abstract:

While scholars have given extensive study to the role of slavery as part of America’s political development, less attention has been given to how the institution affected subnational elections in the nineteenth century. More generally, little systematic work has been done on gubernatorial voting patterns in the antebellum period, and particularly on how the slavery positions of the parties mattered relative to other factors influencing gubernatorial vote share. In this paper we examine gubernatorial voting patterns in the antebellum period of 1840-1860, modeling vote shares for each election. We find that pro-slavery views matter second only to incumbency in predicting gubernatorial vote share. Results give quantitative heft to the degree to which slavery was a central organizing issue in nineteenth century political life, show how slavery was not only an issue that dominated federal but also state politics, and suggest that gubernatorial candidates sought labels communicating their slavery bonafides as a path to electoral success.

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Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840–1860

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:24:46 +0000

Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840–1860 Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:24

Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 1840–1860

By: Alexander Jensen, Madeline Mader, Srinivas C. Parinandi, Anand Sokhey, Michael Byrd

Abstract:

The demise of the Whig Party in the 1850s has long been a subject of great attention among scholars and the general public. However, this historical development has received less attention from the vantage point of quantitative empirical analysis. Using state-level gubernatorial electoral returns from 1840 to 1860, we assess how major events like the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act/Compromise of 1850, the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the rise of the Know Nothing Party influenced the transformation of America’s party system in the lead up to the Civil War. We find evidence linking the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act to a drop in support for Northern Whigs, Free Soilers, and (more suggestively) Northern Democrats. The results are consistent with a narrative of the Kansas–Nebraska Act unleashing fears among Free Soilers, ultimately leading to a coalescing around the new Republican Party.

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Enraged and engaged? Emotions as motives for discussing politics

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:53:13 +0000

Enraged and engaged? Emotions as motives for discussing politics Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:53

Enraged and engaged? Emotions as motives for discussing politics

By: Jennifer Wolak, Anand Edward Sokhey

Abstract:

The 2016 presidential campaign made some feel angry, while others felt anxious, embarrassed, or enthusiastic. We explore how these emotions relate to patterns of political talk within informal conversation networks. Using items from the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, we link emotional reactions to rates of conversation, interest in political talk, and exposure to disagreeable viewpoints. Rather than deterring people from contentious conversations, we find that the heightened emotions are associated with greater engagement in political talk. Those who feel angry do not confront their opponents. Instead, they avoid conversations with those who do not share their views, where anger is tied to partisan patterns of political discussion. Feelings of embarrassment have the opposite relationship, as those who felt embarrassed during the campaign were more likely to discuss politics with those with contrary views. These results inform when and how people engage in political talk.

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The knowledge polity: Teaching and research in the social sciences

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:50:35 +0000

The knowledge polity: Teaching and research in the social sciences Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:50

The knowledge polity: Teaching and research in the social sciences

By: Paul A Djupe, Anand Edward Sokhey, Amy Erica Smith

Abstract:

Drawing on surveys of diverse social science faculty, three acclaimed scholars develop a rich and sometimes surprising portrait of who produces research, teaches students, and contributes to the business of higher education-and how, when, and why. In The Knowledge Polity, Paul A. Djupe, Amy Erica Smith, and Anand Edward Sokhey envision academics as members of a polity where the primary output is knowledge and citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. Leveraging the 2017 Professional Activity in the Social Sciences (PASS) Study, they develop a theoretically and empirically rich account of who produces knowledge, and how. The data enable an unparalleled understanding of the nature and sources of inequalities by gender and racial or ethnic identification in the disciplines of sociology and political science in the US. To explain those inequalities, the authors consider academics as embedded in institutional and social contexts-including their home lives-and carefully consider their personalities and changing compositions of the academic workforce. A comprehensive and wide-ranging analysis, this book documents patterns that have long been shrouded in anecdote and enables scholars from across the social and behavioral sciences to make empirically-grounded decisions about their individual and collective futures.

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The full armor of god: The mobilization of Christian nationalism in American politics

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:48:35 +0000

The full armor of god: The mobilization of Christian nationalism in American politics Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:48

The full armor of god: The mobilization of Christian nationalism in American politics

By: Paul A Djupe, Andrew R Lewis, Anand E Sokhey

Abstract:

Academic research on Christian nationalism has revealed a considerable amount about the scope of its relationships to public policy views in the US. However, work thus far has not addressed an essential question: why now? Research by the authors of this Element advances answers, showcasing how deeper engagement with 'the 3Ms' – measurement, mechanisms and mobilization – can help unpack how and why Christian nationalism has entered our politics as a partisan project. Indeed, it is difficult to understand the dynamics of Christian nationalism without reference to the parties, as it has been a worldview used to mobilize Republicans while simultaneously recruiting and demobilizing Democrats. The mechanisms of these efforts hinge on a deep desire for social dominance that is ordained by God – an order elites suggest is threatened by Democrats and 'the left.' These elite appeals can have sweeping consequences for opinion and action, including the public's support for democratic processes.

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Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in US Gubernatorial Elections, 1840—1860

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:46:33 +0000

Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in US Gubernatorial Elections, 1840—1860 Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:46

Federal Slavery Legislation and Voting in US Gubernatorial Elections, 1840—1860

By: Alexander Jensen, Madeline Mader, Srinivas C Parinandi, Anand Sokhey, Michael Byrd

Abstract:

The demise of the Whig Party in the 1850s has long been a subject of great attention among scholars and the general public. However, this historical development has received less attention from the vantage point of quantitative empirical analysis. Using state-level gubernatorial electoral returns from 1840 to 1860, we assess how major events like the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act/Compromise of 1850, the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the rise of the Know Nothing Party influenced the transformation of America’s party system in the lead up to the Civil War. We find evidence linking the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act to a drop in support for Northern Whigs, Free Soilers, and (more suggestively) Northern Democrats. The results are consistent with a narrative of the Kansas-Nebraska Act unleashing fears among Free Soilers, ultimately leading to a coalescing around the new Republican Party.

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American Religion and Attitudes Toward Reparations for Slavery

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:41:55 +0000

American Religion and Attitudes Toward Reparations for Slavery Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 10:41

American Religion and Attitudes Toward Reparations for Slavery

By: Allan Tellis, Anand Edward Sokhey

Abstract:

As part of a history of systemic white supremacist practices in the United States, Black Americans have faced numerous forms of political marginalization. Racialized, dehumanizing practices were, of course, once rampant and codified into law in the United States. Academic circles and public-facing activists have long sought to 1) draw attention to the long-term consequences of these historical injustices, and 2) promote active efforts toward reconciliation. For example, intellectuals like Harris (1993), Fanon (1963), and West (1993) have described how institutionalized racial oppression chronically devalues and dehumanizes Black people. Such arguments, decades in the making, have at long last started to be reflected in more mainstream dis-course; this can be seen in popular culture, coverage, and discussion of things like the 1619 Project, and fights over the meaning and teaching of critical race theory (see also Stephens and Martí in this volume). There have been few concrete efforts to directly address the long-term consequences of slavery. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there was support for efforts to end overtly racist practices, and advocacy for more equi-table social services. But such actions have not translated into a further willingness to compensate descendants of slavery for the harm they have suffered (Torpey and Burkett 2010). The idea of reparations for slavery emerges regularly in public commentary, but it is generally dismissed as an impossi-bility. 2 Indeed, mainstream political and academic discourse might best be

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