Austin S. Matthews
@austinsmatthews.bsky.social
Associate Professor. Clements Center for National Security, UT Austin. Dictatorships, security studies, and political violence.
Reposted by Austin S. Matthews
We are happy to release Version 4 of WhoGov, which expands WhoGov to 2025. It now contains data on cabinet members from 1966-2025.
The update is supported by UiO:Democracy and can be downloaded through GETGOV's page or through Nuffield College: politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/whogov-datas....
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The update is supported by UiO:Democracy and can be downloaded through GETGOV's page or through Nuffield College: politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/whogov-datas....
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Governing elites since the dawn of modern democracy
(GETGOV)
- Department of Political Science
Ever since humans settled into communities, there have been political classes. A small elite governs, while the majority are governed. Yet, who are the people in the governing elite? GETGOV will answe...
www.sv.uio.no
June 9, 2026 at 8:40 PM
We are happy to release Version 4 of WhoGov, which expands WhoGov to 2025. It now contains data on cabinet members from 1966-2025.
The update is supported by UiO:Democracy and can be downloaded through GETGOV's page or through Nuffield College: politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/whogov-datas....
1/2
The update is supported by UiO:Democracy and can be downloaded through GETGOV's page or through Nuffield College: politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/whogov-datas....
1/2
Thrilled to share that this August I'll be joining the Clements Center for National Security at UT Austin as an Associate Professor. Returning home to teach security studies, strategy, and statecraft has been a goal of mine since starting graduate school. Grateful to everyone who helped me get here.
June 9, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Thrilled to share that this August I'll be joining the Clements Center for National Security at UT Austin as an Associate Professor. Returning home to teach security studies, strategy, and statecraft has been a goal of mine since starting graduate school. Grateful to everyone who helped me get here.
Xi Jinping has issued suspended death sentences for two defense ministers purged in the last three years. Just to give you an idea how irregular this is, below are data I've constructed on defense minister fates for all dictatorships since 1946.
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
May 8, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Xi Jinping has issued suspended death sentences for two defense ministers purged in the last three years. Just to give you an idea how irregular this is, below are data I've constructed on defense minister fates for all dictatorships since 1946.
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
Sorry academia. Starfox 64 remake is coming out on Switch 2 so I'm gonna be occupied for the next half year
May 6, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Sorry academia. Starfox 64 remake is coming out on Switch 2 so I'm gonna be occupied for the next half year
I've long wondered if military juntas (as they often claim) are better at winning ongoing civil wars? Probably not a good sign if ministers are getting killed on the frontlines.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...
Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara killed during coordinated attacks
Death of influential minister seen as a big blow for Mali's military government during fighting with armed groups.
www.aljazeera.com
April 30, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I've long wondered if military juntas (as they often claim) are better at winning ongoing civil wars? Probably not a good sign if ministers are getting killed on the frontlines.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/...
Reposted by Austin S. Matthews
🚨 We are now accepting submissions for two of our Specialist Group's Awards 🚨
- Best Paper Award
- Best PhD Paper Award
Rules: anyone can nominate – self-nominations are welcome! – a paper for these awards by emailing [email protected]
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Details on the rules👇
- Best Paper Award
- Best PhD Paper Award
Rules: anyone can nominate – self-nominations are welcome! – a paper for these awards by emailing [email protected]
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Details on the rules👇
April 23, 2026 at 9:58 AM
🚨 We are now accepting submissions for two of our Specialist Group's Awards 🚨
- Best Paper Award
- Best PhD Paper Award
Rules: anyone can nominate – self-nominations are welcome! – a paper for these awards by emailing [email protected]
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Details on the rules👇
- Best Paper Award
- Best PhD Paper Award
Rules: anyone can nominate – self-nominations are welcome! – a paper for these awards by emailing [email protected]
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Details on the rules👇
Writing the qualitative chapters of my book has been so much fun. Dedicated a nice long paragraph to describing how one Caribbean prime minister was accused of practicing sex magic and believed in telekenesis.
April 9, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Writing the qualitative chapters of my book has been so much fun. Dedicated a nice long paragraph to describing how one Caribbean prime minister was accused of practicing sex magic and believed in telekenesis.
Attending these workshops has honestly been one of the best parts of my career. So many friends met and opportunities created by participating. Please apply!
Three days left to apply for our mini-conference on political elites - deadline is April 1st!
It will be held August 20-21st, 2026 in Oslo. We promise good food (maybe brown cheese), beautiful scenery, & great work on political elites
Call for papers w. submission link here: bit.ly/whogovminico...
It will be held August 20-21st, 2026 in Oslo. We promise good food (maybe brown cheese), beautiful scenery, & great work on political elites
Call for papers w. submission link here: bit.ly/whogovminico...
April 1, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Attending these workshops has honestly been one of the best parts of my career. So many friends met and opportunities created by participating. Please apply!
Grenada joining CARICOM in sending humanitarian support to Cuba, continuing a long aid relationship between the two countries. Given ongoing US coercive pressures on Grenada to firmly realign its foreign and economic policies, I wonder whether these will intensify www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkY9...
Grenada sends Cuba Aid
YouTube video by Grenada Broadcasting Network
www.youtube.com
March 26, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Grenada joining CARICOM in sending humanitarian support to Cuba, continuing a long aid relationship between the two countries. Given ongoing US coercive pressures on Grenada to firmly realign its foreign and economic policies, I wonder whether these will intensify www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkY9...
Had the opportunity to use WhoGov's Paths to Power data visualization in teaching today. Student interaction in thinking about where ministers went to college, gender distribution, and more was so exciting. Outstanding and accessible learning tool for teaching "elites"! ptp.isv.sv.uio.no/ptp/
February 26, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Had the opportunity to use WhoGov's Paths to Power data visualization in teaching today. Student interaction in thinking about where ministers went to college, gender distribution, and more was so exciting. Outstanding and accessible learning tool for teaching "elites"! ptp.isv.sv.uio.no/ptp/
Things are getting tense between Eritrea and Ethiopia once more over alleged border incursions. Interesting to consider force size differences. Nearly one-third of Eritrea is active military or reserve. Despite its population being 2% of Ethiopia's, its armed forces are 40% larger
February 17, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Things are getting tense between Eritrea and Ethiopia once more over alleged border incursions. Interesting to consider force size differences. Nearly one-third of Eritrea is active military or reserve. Despite its population being 2% of Ethiopia's, its armed forces are 40% larger
If you use the CIA World Leaders publications, now would be a good time to download and/or archive all the PDFs apnews.com/article/cia-...
CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool
The CIA is ending the publication of its popular World Factbook reference manual. The agency announced the decision Wednesday but gave no reason for it.
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:19 PM
If you use the CIA World Leaders publications, now would be a good time to download and/or archive all the PDFs apnews.com/article/cia-...
Across two separate FOIA requests...
Request 1. State Dept FOIA office Jan 16: "You're associated with an educational institution, no search fees."
Request 2. State Dept FOIA office Feb 5: "You're not associated with a waiver category, pay up."
Same researcher. Same topic. Same agency.
Request 1. State Dept FOIA office Jan 16: "You're associated with an educational institution, no search fees."
Request 2. State Dept FOIA office Feb 5: "You're not associated with a waiver category, pay up."
Same researcher. Same topic. Same agency.
February 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Across two separate FOIA requests...
Request 1. State Dept FOIA office Jan 16: "You're associated with an educational institution, no search fees."
Request 2. State Dept FOIA office Feb 5: "You're not associated with a waiver category, pay up."
Same researcher. Same topic. Same agency.
Request 1. State Dept FOIA office Jan 16: "You're associated with an educational institution, no search fees."
Request 2. State Dept FOIA office Feb 5: "You're not associated with a waiver category, pay up."
Same researcher. Same topic. Same agency.
PM Mitchell frames accepting third-country deportees as addressing Grenada's "labor shortage." But when the offer comes after a fish export ban, visa freeze, and travel warning downgrade, it seems more like compliance under pressure dressed as opportunity www.thenewtodaygrenada.com/local-news/g...
Grenada moves closer to accepting U.S deportees
“The reality is if there is an opportunity for us to get workers through this Third Country National programme from the United States I have no difficulty in taking those workers.”
www.thenewtodaygrenada.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:43 PM
PM Mitchell frames accepting third-country deportees as addressing Grenada's "labor shortage." But when the offer comes after a fish export ban, visa freeze, and travel warning downgrade, it seems more like compliance under pressure dressed as opportunity www.thenewtodaygrenada.com/local-news/g...
A few dozen Cuban officers/construction workers also died during the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. They had been stationed mostly around the international airport, assisting with its development. This monument stands outside it and a marker inside thanks Fidel Castro for his contributions.
January 5, 2026 at 11:28 AM
A few dozen Cuban officers/construction workers also died during the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. They had been stationed mostly around the international airport, assisting with its development. This monument stands outside it and a marker inside thanks Fidel Castro for his contributions.
FYI the National Defence Council that the Venezuelan VP announced isn't an irregular junta or anything. It's a constitutional body made up of various ministers, judicial entities, and security heads. Specifically convened for emergency periods.
January 4, 2026 at 3:56 PM
FYI the National Defence Council that the Venezuelan VP announced isn't an irregular junta or anything. It's a constitutional body made up of various ministers, judicial entities, and security heads. Specifically convened for emergency periods.
You ever be 80% done with the book you're writing but start obsessing over the one you haven't started writing yet? 😑
December 31, 2025 at 2:37 PM
You ever be 80% done with the book you're writing but start obsessing over the one you haven't started writing yet? 😑
There are so many books and articles being released on the topic of revolutions. Insightful conversations being had about origins, processes, consolidation, and the durability of these regimes. Very rich quantitative and qualitative assessments that I've enjoyed.
December 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
There are so many books and articles being released on the topic of revolutions. Insightful conversations being had about origins, processes, consolidation, and the durability of these regimes. Very rich quantitative and qualitative assessments that I've enjoyed.
West Africa's coup wave raises a question for civil-military relations: if autonomy and professionalism are insufficient for prevention, should coup-proofing be reconsidered for unconsolidated democracies? Can coup-proofing even be done without it being inherently repressive or personalistic?
December 8, 2025 at 1:10 AM
West Africa's coup wave raises a question for civil-military relations: if autonomy and professionalism are insufficient for prevention, should coup-proofing be reconsidered for unconsolidated democracies? Can coup-proofing even be done without it being inherently repressive or personalistic?
In the southern Caribbean, the nation of Grenada grapples with renewed geopolitical attention. Once again, the United States sees its wider interests run through the small island and ironically its international airport. Struggling with its revolutionary past.
nowgrenada.com/2025/10/no-l...
nowgrenada.com/2025/10/no-l...
No longer anyone’s backyard | NOW Grenada
nowgrenada.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
In the southern Caribbean, the nation of Grenada grapples with renewed geopolitical attention. Once again, the United States sees its wider interests run through the small island and ironically its international airport. Struggling with its revolutionary past.
nowgrenada.com/2025/10/no-l...
nowgrenada.com/2025/10/no-l...
The recent coup wave continues: the military has seized power in Madagascar amidst protests. The president (on the run) interestingly was himself installed via a coup in the early 2010s. Latest episode of youth protests parlayed into a coup.
www.bbc.com/news/live/cq...
www.bbc.com/news/live/cq...
Elite Madagascar military unit says it has seized power from President Andry Rajoelina
MPs have voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, who has reportedly fled the country following anti-government protests.
www.bbc.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The recent coup wave continues: the military has seized power in Madagascar amidst protests. The president (on the run) interestingly was himself installed via a coup in the early 2010s. Latest episode of youth protests parlayed into a coup.
www.bbc.com/news/live/cq...
www.bbc.com/news/live/cq...
Archival work yielding some irrelevant, yet incredible, findings.
August 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Archival work yielding some irrelevant, yet incredible, findings.
In case anyone was wondering how US regional universities are doing. We just had all graduate assistantships pulled. Funding cuts every year since I arrived. Dept is down three people and can't hire replacements. Yet, construction everywhere and big celebrations of our R1 status upgrade.
June 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In case anyone was wondering how US regional universities are doing. We just had all graduate assistantships pulled. Funding cuts every year since I arrived. Dept is down three people and can't hire replacements. Yet, construction everywhere and big celebrations of our R1 status upgrade.
Thread of my findings from the released JFK files. Not making any deep judgements, just general observations based on what I know. Cuba in particular.
March 19, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Thread of my findings from the released JFK files. Not making any deep judgements, just general observations based on what I know. Cuba in particular.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with some journal editors? How can a paper be reasonably under review for over five months? This is malpractice.
March 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with some journal editors? How can a paper be reasonably under review for over five months? This is malpractice.