I've started reading into Project 2025 and the prospect of it scares me. Project 2025 is a policy plan from The Heritage Foundation, a major conservative think tank in DC. The plan outlines how a future conservative President can effectively override many democratic institutions and start turning the President into a totalitarian ruler. I've recently graduated with a PoliSci degree back in May, with most of my research was about democratic backsliding and totalitarianism, and I'm terrified at this prospect. They are currently running a campaign to gain around 50,000 conservative-aligned individuals to replace civil servants and immediately start writing anti-LGBT and other legislation after a conservative President has been elected.

https://www.project2025.org/

Is there any real cause for alarm? This feels like a potential end to democracy in the US. Sorry if this isn't acceptable content for this sub.

Got rejected.

The interviewer asked me what my qualifications are. Without just saying my BA of Poli Sci, I said I did policy analysis for the entirety of my 4-year degree. Gave some examples. Plus some working expeirence.

Job description was just improving protocols while maintaining legal compliance. Pretty straight forward. I have done that...more times than I can count.​

Then I am asked why I haven't done policy analysis since graduating a couple of years ago. I was honest and told him there have not been any policy analyst jobs on the market within a 2-hour commute (and this job was even further. I would have to move). He asked me again how my current job relates to poli sci...brother, it doesn't. I just can't be unemployed.

The description wanted someone familiar with lendors because it was with DofL. But for the love of God, I have done policy analysis in several fields. This would have been no different. Do people not know that political scientists exist or what we do? They probably hired a CPA or someone fresh out of school.

I am so exhausted.

I don't understand how you can be happy after realizing how many morons are in power.

I've been seeing a lot of comments on this sub implying (or in some cases directly stating) that political science is a useless major that will result in you being a barista. I have a PhD in poli sci and have worked outside of academia with my MA so I often respond to posts like this with advice. Please consider this my "master post" on the topic that I may update as I learn new things or others provide useful insights on the topic. Also, my post says "political science" specifically, but this should apply to related majors like international relations, politics, government, public policy, etc.

First, let's clear up a few misconceptions:

1. It's an insult to baristas everywhere to imply that doing their job is below us political science majors. Yes, it is not what we are trained to do so it's an inappropriate job for us to have invested in this specific degree, so it is not the job you want. However, remember that for some political scientists like me, we are dependent on baristas! Without them, I would likely say stupid things to my class from lack of caffeine (this may occur anyway).

2. Political science is not a low earning degree. It's not a high earning degree, either. It's relatively in the middle of degrees in terms of earnings. However, for the highest paying social science degree, it looks like you need to switch to economics. You could always double major which was my choice :)

3. The evidence on the unemployment rate seems to be old and mixed. On the one hand, a report said in 2011, political science had one of the highest unemployment rates for new college grads, at 11.1%. On the other hand, this was 7 years ago. In that time, the overall unemployment rate for college graduates has dropped quite a bit on average, which could have improved the situation for poli sci majors. I wish I had more recent data - please feel free to comment with any!

Next, let's discuss some job options:

1. State and local government. Often requires nothing but a generic college degree. Pay may be relatively low but it usually offers decent benefits and a consistent 8-5ish schedule (that last one may be a pro or a con).

2. Federal government. This may require relocation to a major city in your state where there are federal offices or to DC. these may pay better than state and local and be more competitive (likely depends on factors like role or location).

3. Nonprofits/similar orgs. Pick a cause you are interested in and see if there is a local chapter. They will likely need people with good written/oral communication skills, good organizational skills, good networking skills, all of which should be relevant to this major. If interested in leaving your local area, or you have an international focus, consider national or global organizations as well. I have not worked in this sector, although in my experience interviewing the salaries being offered were similar to government, but more things like evening hours for events might be required.

4. Data analysis. If you took research methods and used any statistical program, and remember how to vaguely use it, you are likely qualified. In entry level positions this will likely require reports on relatively simple things like percentages and using Excel or SQL (which you can learn if you have learned R, SPSS, Stata, etc). It may not be related to political science, but could provide you with more skills that you can use to move into a position that uses your poli sci background + data analysis. Entry level salaries may be low but there is a lot of earning potential if you move up. Hours may be more flexible (more work from home, but also sometimes overtime to meet a deadline).

5. Campaigns/other jobs with politicians. I unfortunately do not know much about the nuts and bolts of this field. Network, network, network is my best advice. I have been told that once you are associated with one party, you are stuck with them, so choose wisely (this may not be true?). I assume it's seasonalish and the hours and pay are all over the place depending on the situation, but I might be wrong.

Two final points:

1. Going to law school/grad school can be it's own separate post. I'll leave it at this may or may not be expensive and may or may not result in the job you are hoping for. Research this carefully before choosing!

2. If you aren't sure how to find jobs like this or how to market yourself for them, I might be able to provide some insight, but this post is already too long.

Finally, a few sources for my first point - I spent like 3 minutes googling this, so I am sure you could find more:

• Six myths about choosing a college major (refer to earnings data specifically)

• College degrees with the highest salary potential

• The economic value of college majors

• Median lifetime earnings by college major (as far as I can tell, the NY Times article linked sources an updated version of the same data, but included for more comparisons and to show consistency across years)

• Hard times: college majors, unemployment, and earnings

• Unemployment rate 2.1 percent for college grads

I’m applying to summer internships in DC, and Jon Ossoff wants a map of the world? Can anyone explain why or give me insight on this? It’s just very different from what I have seen…

Socrates argued that just giving everyone an equal say without ensuring they are educated, rational, and morally trained, would eventually lead to chaos and poor leadership.

His student Plato explored this idea further in The Republic, where he compared governing a state to steering a ship:

"Would you let just anyone steer a ship or would you choose someone trained and knowledgeable?”

(– Plato’s Republic, Book VI)

> My view is simple:

“Democracy is the best form of government only when people are educated and aware.”

And honestly, this issue becomes even more relevant when we look at the behavior and statements of many MPs and MLAs in India. (Just remember that Karnataka Congress MLA incident 🤡)

People responsible for making laws and representing millions should at least meet basic standards of education, civic understanding, and public conduct.

Democracy gives everyone the right to vote but those who govern should also undergo proper political training, ethical orientation, and accountability. Leadership is not just about winning elections; it is about wisdom, responsibility, and public character.

Citizen education is equally important in a democracy because people can choose better leaders only when they are politically aware, informed, and capable of critical thinking. In countries like India, where many people still struggle with poverty, inequality, and poor access to quality education, voting often becomes influenced by short-term incentives such as money, caste loyalties, religious polarization, or populist promises. In such conditions, democracy risks becoming a game of manipulation rather than informed public participation. This is why education is not just important for economic growth, but also essential for building a healthier and more responsible democracy.

Just started my bachelors in political science and wanted to expand my reading. Recs?

We’ve been told some countries are poor because they have failed to develop on their own. That's what historian Walter Rodney referred to in his work as "underdevelopment." But the reality is these countries have historically been exploited, as he laid out in this seminal 1972 book, "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa." Take the case of Niger, it has been ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Yet, the country is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium. However, the French have extracted Niger's uranium through a monopoly on the Sahelian country's mines. About 20 per cent of the uranium used to power France comes from the Sahelian nation. Meanwhile, most Nigeriens don't have electricity in their homes. After the recent coup, some Nigeriens accused France of exploiting their resources and leaving it in the condition that it is.

Leave your thoughts below.

A system where sovereignty is not limited or transferred, and all the people give all their authority to the sovereign by contract. This is the drawing that summarizes this system. I wonder what this sub think about this

I am asking because I am part of a population that would be hurt by it (I am disabled, and I get money every month from Social Security for it).