Michael Austin

Professor-turned-administrator and political commentator. Author of six books including "That's Not What They Meant! Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from the American Right" (Prometheus Books).

Why the “Obama vs the Do Nothing Congress” Narrative will Probably Stick

Here is something that everyone who has ever been through third grade knows in the deep reptilian recesses of the brain: the best way for an unpopular kid to increase

By Michael Austin

July 15, 2014

Why the “Obama vs the Do Nothing Congress” Narrative will Probably Stick

Ich Bin Ein Argentiner: A Big Data Approach to World Cup Rooting

So it's World Cup finals time again, and I will be at a watch party with friends. As a non-sports fan, these events are always hard for me,

By Michael Austin

July 12, 2014

Ich Bin Ein Argentiner: A Big Data Approach to World Cup Rooting

So it's World Cup finals time again, and I will be at a watch party with friends. As a non-sports fan, these events are always hard for me,

By Michael Austin

July 12, 2014

Manufacturing Outrage

Here’s an interesting little fact: to the best of my ability to recall, I have never seen one of my conservative friends post anything on their Facebook feed by

By Michael Austin

July 11, 2014

Manufacturing Outrage

Here’s an interesting little fact: to the best of my ability to recall, I have never seen one of my conservative friends post anything on their Facebook feed by

By Michael Austin

July 11, 2014

Children at the Border: Old Problem, New Outrage, Few Solutions

“They set out with little or no money. Thousands, shelter workers say, make their way through Mexico clinging to the sides and tops of freight trains. Since the 1990s, Mexico

By Michael Austin

July 8, 2014

Children at the Border: Old Problem, New Outrage, Few Solutions

“They set out with little or no money. Thousands, shelter workers say, make their way through Mexico clinging to the sides and tops of freight trains. Since the 1990s, Mexico

By Michael Austin

July 8, 2014

Accommodations, Exceptions, and the Post-Hobby-Lobby Contraception Mandate

In the world where I spend most of my life—the world of higher education administration—the difference between an accommodation and an exception could not be more important. Accommodating

By Michael Austin

July 6, 2014

Accommodations, Exceptions, and the Post-Hobby-Lobby Contraception Mandate

In the world where I spend most of my life—the world of higher education administration—the difference between an accommodation and an exception could not be more important. Accommodating

By Michael Austin

July 6, 2014

Immigration and the Labor Market: Why Building Walls and Yelling at Children Just Won't Work

Let’s start with two beliefs that one cannot logically hold at the same time but which many people do anyway: 1. Belief One: America should be a capitalist nation

By Michael Austin

July 2, 2014

Immigration and the Labor Market: Why Building Walls and Yelling at Children Just Won't Work

Let’s start with two beliefs that one cannot logically hold at the same time but which many people do anyway: 1. Belief One: America should be a capitalist nation

By Michael Austin

July 2, 2014

Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby: What the Court Got Wrong about Facts

Unlike most of my liberal friends, I am not outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby. I believe in religious freedom. I support the Religious

By Michael Austin

June 30, 2014

Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby: What the Court Got Wrong about Facts