By Lily Gannon, Staff Writer
A lecture that will discuss the different social and political aspects that shape the public’s support for government in advanced industrial democracies will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 in Benjamin Apple meeting rooms 1-3 in Degenstein Campus Center.
Titled “What moves public approval?” the lecture will be presented by Timothy Hellwig, a political science professor at Indiana University. The event is sponsored by the department of political science and the school of arts and sciences.
Head of the political science department Nicholas Clark was involved in bringing Hellwig to Susquehanna.
“The event will be about the reasons that people support or oppose the government in their country,” said Clark, adding that Hellwig will be discussing both the United States and other democracies that are practiced around the world.
Hellwig will also speak about partisanship and the number of independent voters in countries that do not just vote for candidates based on their political party as well as how variables such as economy and cultural issues may influence voting.
According to the Washington Post, the presidential election for 2020 could be contested on the most narrow electoral terrain in recent history. The Washington Post states that four states are likely to determine the outcome for 2020: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida.
“Shifting demographics, the growing urban-rival divide and the gap between white voters with and without college educations have helped to create an electoral map unlike those of the recent past,” Dan Balz, chief correspondent for the Washington Post said.
“I would come thinking about what you think matters for how people vote,” Clark said.
Hellwig has served as Director of the Institute for European Studies in Indiana University’s School of Global and International Studies. He has a bachelor of arts from St. Cloud State University, a master of arts from American University, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota.
Hellwig has conducted research at the International Foundation for Election Systems, along with the Australian National University, Gothenburg University and the University of Essex.
Hellwig is the author of several books and publications, including “Globalization and Mass Politics: Retaining the Room to Maneuver.” His work has appeared in American Journal of Political Science, the British Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Politics.
All students and faculty are encouraged to attend the lecture, and admission to this event is free.