Paul Albert Sracic (born March 23, 1962) is an American political scientist, writer, and political analyst known for his analysis of US politics, working class voters, and trade issues. He chairs the Department of Politics and International Relations at Youngstown State University in Ohio.[1]

Early life and education

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Sracic grew up in the Gladstone section of Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey, graduating from Bernards High School in 1980.[2] Four years later, he graduated from Albright College, with a degree in Political Science and Economics. Sracic earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University, where he studied with the American political theorist, Wilson Carey McWilliams. Sracic also studied constitutional law with Walter F. Murphy at Princeton University.[3]

Professorship

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In 1992, Sracic joined the Department of Politics and International Relations at Youngstown State University.[1] He became chair of the department in 2006. In 2009, Sracic received a Fulbright scholarship to teach in Japan at the University of Tokyo and Sophia University.[4] Sracic returned to Japan in 2012, as part of Prime Minister Noda’s Visiting Experts program.[5]

Writings

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Sracic has authored or coauthored three books, including the Encyclopedia of American Parties, Campaigns, and Elections;[6] San Antonio v. Rodriquez and the Pursuit of Equal Education[7] (part of a series that won the Scribes Award for legal writing in 2008);[8] and Ohio Politics and Government.[9] He is a frequent contributor to CNN.com, and also has written for The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, The Atlantic and The Diplomat.

Controversies and predictions

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Sracic’s defense of the American Electoral College system,[10] based largely on the writings of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, has been criticized by Hendrik Hertzberg of the New Yorker.[11] Sracic predicted the role of the Electoral College in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and noted that Trump’s appeal in traditional Democratic working class strongholds throughout the Midwest created a potential path to victory.[12][13] Sracic was chastised by some national columnists, including Connie Schultz, for his election predictions.[14] However, Sracic continued to argue for Trump’s popularity among white, working-class voters.[15][16]

Sracic was an early skeptic of the potential for the U.S. to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership.[17][18] He has also expressed doubts, based on his understanding of American politics and concerns regarding the separation of powers, about the U.S. commitment to defend Japanese administered Senkaku Islands, should they be attacked by China[19][20]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Department of Politics and International Relations and Rigelhaupt Pre-Law Center < Youngstown State University". catalog.ysu.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Bernards High Announces Grads' Plans", Bernardsville News, June 26, 1980. Accessed November 12, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Bernards High School Principal Torry Froisland recently announced plans for the 209 members of the 1980 graduating class, as reported by the Guidance Department.... Paul Sracic, Albright College..."
  3. ^ "YSU's Sracic to appear on CNN". Vindy.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Fulbright Scholars in Political Science (PDF Download Available)". ResearchGate. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Public lecture on US Elections and Foreign Policy". University of Malta. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Encyclopedia of American Parties, Campaigns, and Elections". Abc-clio.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  7. ^ "San Antonio v. Rodriguez and the Pursuit of Equal Education". kansaspress.ku.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  8. ^ "scribes". scribes. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Ohio Government and Politics - SAGE Publications Inc". us.sagepub.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Should we change how we elect presidents?". Cnn.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  11. ^ Hertzberg, Hendrik (25 July 2011). "N.P.V., Percentagewise". Newyorker.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017 – via www.newyorker.com.
  12. ^ Sracic, Paul (6 September 2016). "Why Trump gets backing of white working class". Cnn.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  13. ^ Zito, Salena. "Experts: Too soon to call presidential election". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Trump Sees Working-Class Chumps, by Connie Schultz". Creators.com. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  15. ^ Sracic, Paul (3 January 2017). "Trump has a secret weapon on jobs and trade". Cnn.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  16. ^ Sracic, Paul (24 July 2017). "Why Youngstown voters still support Trump". Cnn.com=. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  17. ^ Sracic, Paul (18 June 2013). "The Odd Bipartisan Coalition That Could Sink Obama's Free-Trade Legacy". Theatlantic.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  18. ^ Sracic, Paul (28 April 2015). "TPP: Can Abe sway Congress? (Opinion) - CNN". Cnn.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Will the U.S. Really Defend Japan?". Thediplomat.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Will the U.S. Defend Japan? More of a Definite Maybe". Thediplomat.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
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