Maxwell School News and Commentary

Gladys McCormick, associate professor of history and Jay and Debe Moskowitz Endowed Chair in Mexico-U.S. Relations, says Thursday’s apparent capitulation to the Sinaloa Cartel was "sending a loud message to other organized crime networks…that if they show up with enough firepower to a fight, they will win and get their way because the government does not have the wherewithal to fight back."

"If the public impeachment process builds the Ukraine abuse of office case clearly so that average Americans can see what the president did, it should lead to impeachment and a trial in the Senate," says William C. Banks, professor emeritus of public administration and international affairs. "From there on, everything depends on events that have yet to occur."

Shana Gadarian, associated professor of political science, Joined WAER's Syracuse Speaks show to discuss the importance of local elections and voter engagement, amid historically low turnout rates in local elections. Central New Yorkers face issues that decide key policy like tax rates, education policy, and district lines this year.

"The key issue is how long the trade disruptions between U.S. and China last," says Professor of Economics Mary Lovely. "The longer they go on, the more the old networks atrophy and new networks get solidified."

"The economy’s temporary problems can easily become more permanent unless both long-term and short-term measures are taken simultaneously," says Devashish Mitra, Gerald B. and Daphna Cramer Professor of Global Affairs.

“He [incumbent Ryan McMahon] is keen on making his own mark and I think he’s in a very good position to do so,” said Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. “I don’t think there’s a big reason to send him packing.”

"We need to democratize how water is managed and governed," says Farhana Sultana, associate professor of geography. "So that all voices are heard and much more ethical practices around water are pursued." Sultana was recently a guest on Princeton Environmental Institute's All for Earth podcast. Fundamentally, we need to "ensure that principles of equity collaboration and inclusivity are central to all of this," she adds. "Because we need to really have a better understanding of how water is very much a moral issue. And as a result that will help us think about much better transformations that are equitable and inclusive. In order to fight for water justice for all." 

Pentecostals deeply value the changes their new faith facilitated in their personal life, says John Burdick, professor of anthropology. They are primarily focused on personal salvation and disinclined to embrace political movements advocating radical change.