Benny Witkovsky
@bwitkovsky.bsky.social
Sociology Ph.D. Candidate at UW-Madison. Studying local politics, nonpartisanship, and polarization. bennywitkovsky.com
Pinned
Benny Witkovsky
@bwitkovsky.bsky.social
· Mar 28
I am thrilled to share that I’ve accepted a position as the Wisconsin State Lead/Senior Research Specialist at the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University. Feeling incredibly lucky to get to do this work while still living in and serving the state that I love!
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
Katherine Jensen, @bwitkovsky.bsky.social, and Monika Krause's article, “Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought,” was the featured Socius article in the ASA Journals Newsletter. Listen to the accompanying podcast about the article here. www.asanet.org/publications...
@asanews.bsky.social
@asanews.bsky.social
Podcasts | American Sociological Association
Each month, several authors of articles published in ASA journals record podcasts in which they provide, through an interview format, an overview of their
www.asanet.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Katherine Jensen, @bwitkovsky.bsky.social, and Monika Krause's article, “Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought,” was the featured Socius article in the ASA Journals Newsletter. Listen to the accompanying podcast about the article here. www.asanet.org/publications...
@asanews.bsky.social
@asanews.bsky.social
As Jess says, @sadiemdempsey.bsky.social’s incredible work on the social and emotional dimensions of political participation is going to be critical to rebuilding our movements going forward!
In an ethnographic study of youth political organizations, one of my PhD students found that the primary driver of engagement wasn't concern about particular issues but rather the chance to do something fun together with friends (eg, make posters for rallies, or go to meetings with free food).
August 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
As Jess says, @sadiemdempsey.bsky.social’s incredible work on the social and emotional dimensions of political participation is going to be critical to rebuilding our movements going forward!
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
Fascinating work in the WWI era on the weaponization of this new nonpartisanship. Nonpartisanship is a "capacious category and can be exploited by different actors."
August 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Fascinating work in the WWI era on the weaponization of this new nonpartisanship. Nonpartisanship is a "capacious category and can be exploited by different actors."
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
@uwsoc.bsky.social team @bwitkovsky.bsky.social and Carter Burg present on the production of nonpartisanship in Prog Era Wisc. Benny's dissertation sheds even more light on how "nonpartisan local governance was always the product of political parties, partisan conflict, and partisan institutions."
August 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
@uwsoc.bsky.social team @bwitkovsky.bsky.social and Carter Burg present on the production of nonpartisanship in Prog Era Wisc. Benny's dissertation sheds even more light on how "nonpartisan local governance was always the product of political parties, partisan conflict, and partisan institutions."
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
Another outstanding @asapolisoc.bsky.social panel on Electoral Politics. #asa2025
August 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Another outstanding @asapolisoc.bsky.social panel on Electoral Politics. #asa2025
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
In the aftermath of the Minnesota attacks, how can communities respond to the growing threat of political violence? @samajones.bsky.social and Roudabeh Kishi offer a range of ideas, from expanding access to security funding to collaborative threat monitoring
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
June 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In the aftermath of the Minnesota attacks, how can communities respond to the growing threat of political violence? @samajones.bsky.social and Roudabeh Kishi offer a range of ideas, from expanding access to security funding to collaborative threat monitoring
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
Cooperation agreements between Wisconsin Counties and ICE have nearly doubled since Trump's second inauguration. (In other news, I'm learning how to use Tableau).
June 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Cooperation agreements between Wisconsin Counties and ICE have nearly doubled since Trump's second inauguration. (In other news, I'm learning how to use Tableau).
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
💬 How do people think about #HumanRights?
New #Socius research by Drs. Jensen, Krause, and @bwitkovsky.bsky.social finds #freedom of speech as a cognitive prototype, with civil & political rights leading in the U.S.
Key insights for #CognitiveSociology: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
New #Socius research by Drs. Jensen, Krause, and @bwitkovsky.bsky.social finds #freedom of speech as a cognitive prototype, with civil & political rights leading in the U.S.
Key insights for #CognitiveSociology: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
May 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
💬 How do people think about #HumanRights?
New #Socius research by Drs. Jensen, Krause, and @bwitkovsky.bsky.social finds #freedom of speech as a cognitive prototype, with civil & political rights leading in the U.S.
Key insights for #CognitiveSociology: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
New #Socius research by Drs. Jensen, Krause, and @bwitkovsky.bsky.social finds #freedom of speech as a cognitive prototype, with civil & political rights leading in the U.S.
Key insights for #CognitiveSociology: doi.org/10.1177/2378...
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
Interesting article on the perceptions of human rights. Studying the meanings of human rights for ordinary individuals is absolutely necessary for transnational advocacy.
New publication out today in @sociusjournal.bsky.social! In " Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought," Katherine Jensen, Monika Krause, and I map how the American public think about what counts as a human right. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought: Content and Structure in the United States - Katherine Jensen, Monika Krause, Benjamin Witkovsky, 2025
What are human rights? Although legal scholars point to a growing list of international entitlements, social scientists have highlighted underlying ideological ...
journals.sagepub.com
May 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Interesting article on the perceptions of human rights. Studying the meanings of human rights for ordinary individuals is absolutely necessary for transnational advocacy.
New publication out today in @sociusjournal.bsky.social! In " Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought," Katherine Jensen, Monika Krause, and I map how the American public think about what counts as a human right. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought: Content and Structure in the United States - Katherine Jensen, Monika Krause, Benjamin Witkovsky, 2025
What are human rights? Although legal scholars point to a growing list of international entitlements, social scientists have highlighted underlying ideological ...
journals.sagepub.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
New publication out today in @sociusjournal.bsky.social! In " Human Rights as a Lay Category of Thought," Katherine Jensen, Monika Krause, and I map how the American public think about what counts as a human right. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
So happy this paper accepted to ASA! Get ready to hear all about a 1912 special election for Racine City Council and Progressive Era conflicts over nonpartisanship!
Just submitted a paper to ASA co-authored with an undergrad and they were SO excited. Definitely the energy I needed this week.
April 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
So happy this paper accepted to ASA! Get ready to hear all about a 1912 special election for Racine City Council and Progressive Era conflicts over nonpartisanship!
Working with Wisconsin Humanities the last few years has been such an honor. I don't know another organization with such deep commitments to serving, representing, and sharing the stories of every community in our state. Defunding humanities councils is such a self-destructive move.
A majority of NEH employees received an email placing them on immediate leave. The news comes just days after many humanities councils across the country were told their grants would be terminated.
National Endowment for the Humanities staff put on immediate leave
A majority of NEH employees received an email placing them on immediate leave. The news comes just days after many humanities councils across the country were told their grants would be terminated.
www.npr.org
April 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Working with Wisconsin Humanities the last few years has been such an honor. I don't know another organization with such deep commitments to serving, representing, and sharing the stories of every community in our state. Defunding humanities councils is such a self-destructive move.
I am thrilled to share that I’ve accepted a position as the Wisconsin State Lead/Senior Research Specialist at the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University. Feeling incredibly lucky to get to do this work while still living in and serving the state that I love!
March 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I am thrilled to share that I’ve accepted a position as the Wisconsin State Lead/Senior Research Specialist at the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton University. Feeling incredibly lucky to get to do this work while still living in and serving the state that I love!
My recent paper provides a particular lens on the upcoming local elections in Wisconsin. Candidates for county office must contend with the increasing polarization between their rural and urban constituents.
Benny Witkovsky (@bwitkovsky.bsky.social) published "Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining Rural-Urban Polarization on A Local Scale" in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining the Rural–Urban Divide on a Local Scale - Benny Witkovsky, 2025
In recent years, the rural–urban divide has become one of the defining features of American partisan politics. Usually conceptualized as a regional phenomenon, ...
journals.sagepub.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
My recent paper provides a particular lens on the upcoming local elections in Wisconsin. Candidates for county office must contend with the increasing polarization between their rural and urban constituents.
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
Benny Witkovsky (@bwitkovsky.bsky.social) published "Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining Rural-Urban Polarization on A Local Scale" in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining the Rural–Urban Divide on a Local Scale - Benny Witkovsky, 2025
In recent years, the rural–urban divide has become one of the defining features of American partisan politics. Usually conceptualized as a regional phenomenon, ...
journals.sagepub.com
March 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Benny Witkovsky (@bwitkovsky.bsky.social) published "Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining Rural-Urban Polarization on A Local Scale" in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
I start my Soc of Race classes asking students whether UW Madison "feels" diverse (a question I stole from @pamelaoliver.bsky.social). At 68% white, UW is by far the most racially mixed institution many in WI will encounter. That's why it can be the target of so much anti-DEI fear-mongering.
or UW-Madison, where 68% of students are white?
March 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I start my Soc of Race classes asking students whether UW Madison "feels" diverse (a question I stole from @pamelaoliver.bsky.social). At 68% white, UW is by far the most racially mixed institution many in WI will encounter. That's why it can be the target of so much anti-DEI fear-mongering.
I have a paper with a whole section about backyard chickens and performative conservative politics! It checks so many boxes for the new conservative coalition: libertarianism (keep gov inspectors off my land), MAHA (don't trust store bought eggs), trad gender roles and self sufficiency.
March 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I have a paper with a whole section about backyard chickens and performative conservative politics! It checks so many boxes for the new conservative coalition: libertarianism (keep gov inspectors off my land), MAHA (don't trust store bought eggs), trad gender roles and self sufficiency.
Just submitted a paper to ASA co-authored with an undergrad and they were SO excited. Definitely the energy I needed this week.
February 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Just submitted a paper to ASA co-authored with an undergrad and they were SO excited. Definitely the energy I needed this week.
It's election day in Wisconsin! I'm thinking today about all of the races that won't be on the ballot. Only a small fraction of local elections require a primary because no one runs for local office. That is a real threat to the health of local government: bennywitkovsky.com/2025/02/17/w...
Wisconsin’s Primary Problem
Wisconsin’s nonpartisan primary is tomorrow. Like most February elections, it will be incredibly quiet. According to the Madison City Clerk, just 9,000 people have voted absentee in Madison s…
bennywitkovsky.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:33 PM
It's election day in Wisconsin! I'm thinking today about all of the races that won't be on the ballot. Only a small fraction of local elections require a primary because no one runs for local office. That is a real threat to the health of local government: bennywitkovsky.com/2025/02/17/w...
We lost my mom’s partner this weekend. The Cap Times wrote a bit today about the legacy he leaves for Wisconsin, law, and politics.
Williamson represented The Progressive when the U.S. government tried to block a nuclear weapons article and helped shape Wisconsin open records law.
Brady Williamson, Madison legal giant defending free speech, dies
Williamson represented The Progressive when the U.S. government tried to block a nuclear weapons article and helped shape Wisconsin open records law.
captimes.com
February 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
We lost my mom’s partner this weekend. The Cap Times wrote a bit today about the legacy he leaves for Wisconsin, law, and politics.
Tomorrow are Wisconsin's nonpartisan primaries--sort of. Across Wisconsin cities, only 1 in 9 city council and mayors races require a primary. Check out my latest on how the lack of primaries threatens the nature of nonpartisanship: bennywitkovsky.com/2025/02/17/w...
Wisconsin’s Primary Problem
Wisconsin’s nonpartisan primary is tomorrow. Like most February elections, it will be incredibly quiet. According to the Madison City Clerk, just 9,000 people have voted absentee in Madison s…
bennywitkovsky.com
February 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Tomorrow are Wisconsin's nonpartisan primaries--sort of. Across Wisconsin cities, only 1 in 9 city council and mayors races require a primary. Check out my latest on how the lack of primaries threatens the nature of nonpartisanship: bennywitkovsky.com/2025/02/17/w...
This is one of my big questions for local government in the Trump Era. Many local governments now face deep internal divisions. Which sheriffs, mayors, school boards, etc. resist federal government demands and which capitulate will, I suspect, be shaped by this local geographic polarization.
I am so excited to share my new publication (my first solo-authored paper!) in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social! This piece documents the growing partisan divide between neighboring rural and urban communities in Wisconsin and its impact on local governments. 🧵 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 13, 2025 at 8:41 PM
This is one of my big questions for local government in the Trump Era. Many local governments now face deep internal divisions. Which sheriffs, mayors, school boards, etc. resist federal government demands and which capitulate will, I suspect, be shaped by this local geographic polarization.
I am so excited to share my new publication (my first solo-authored paper!) in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social! This piece documents the growing partisan divide between neighboring rural and urban communities in Wisconsin and its impact on local governments. 🧵 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I am so excited to share my new publication (my first solo-authored paper!) in @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social! This piece documents the growing partisan divide between neighboring rural and urban communities in Wisconsin and its impact on local governments. 🧵 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Benny Witkovsky
New article @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social by @bwitkovsky.bsky.social, "Cities and Their Neighbors," a highly topical analysis of the urban-rural divide in Wisconsin.
urbanaffairsreview.com/uar-archive/...
urbanaffairsreview.com/uar-archive/...
Cities and Their Neighbors: Examining the Rural–Urban Divide on a Local Scale — Urban Affairs Review
Kenosha County, Wisconsin held the state's only contested race for District Attorney last year. The community's recent history of protest and violence resurfaced in the campaign as the Republican cand...
urbanaffairsreview.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
New article @urbanaffairsreview.bsky.social by @bwitkovsky.bsky.social, "Cities and Their Neighbors," a highly topical analysis of the urban-rural divide in Wisconsin.
urbanaffairsreview.com/uar-archive/...
urbanaffairsreview.com/uar-archive/...
The volume on my hotel TV is broken and half the channels are paid advertisements for hearing aids. Greatest con ever.
January 22, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The volume on my hotel TV is broken and half the channels are paid advertisements for hearing aids. Greatest con ever.