Politics

Political prognosticator James E. Campbell, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at the University at Buffalo, predicts that the Democrats can expect to lose 51 seats in the House of Representatives in the November election, producing a Republican majority.

A University at Buffalo political scientist is available to comment on President Obama's visit to Buffalo Thursday during a stop on his "White House to Main Street Tour."

Although President Obama's visit to the region Thursday is intended to highlight the successes of a small manufacturing plant in Buffalo, his arrival also presents an opportunity to underscore the success of his administration's major investment in scientific research at the University at Buffalo.

University at Buffalo faculty experts are available to discuss the Arizona immigration law, the rise of the Tea Party and many other news topics.

A study by communication researchers at the University at Buffalo confirms what was made evident by the very public Google-Chinese government dispute over Internet censorship: the fact that China's cyberculture is changing and growing rapidly is no harbinger of political freedom and open speech in that country.

Makau W. Mutua, dean of the University at Buffalo Law School, has been elected to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations, a New York City-based think tank and membership organization that studies major international issues and publishes the influential journal Foreign Policy.

In his recent book "Unequal Democracy," noted Princeton political scientist Larry Bartels reaches the controversial conclusion that Democratic presidents have generally done a better job in handling the economy. As he sees it, Democrats have had a better record across the board. But James Campbell, a University at Buffalo professor of political science and widely published author on American politics, says Bartels is incorrect.

University at Buffalo faculty -- including earthquake engineering, disaster, trauma and communication experts -- are available to discuss the tragic earthquake in Haiti. A listing of the experts and their commentary is available at http://newstips.buffalo.edu.

Many Iranians are very upset at their government and that is the principle reason for what a number of observers have called the largest protests since the downfall of the Shah in 1979, although without press access it is difficult to accurately determine crowd size.

Their original promise, as well as much recent research, suggests that institutions of direct democracy -- ballot initiatives that permit citizens to enact or reject the laws at the polls independent of the lawmaking power of the governing body -- produce an environment that encourages better democratic citizenship.