Department of Government & Politics (GVPT) Associate Professor Chryl Laird was recently featured on the Ideas podcast from Princeton University Press to discuss her co-authored book Steadfast Democrats: How Social Forces Shape Black Political Behavior. Originally published in 2020, the book remains deeply relevant in the wake of the 2024 election and ongoing shifts in American political behavior.

In the episode, Laird explores why Black Americans remain the most unified racial group in U.S. electoral politics, despite growing ideological diversity within the community. She reflects on the enduring influence of social networks and community norms in shaping political identity—and what the future may hold as partisan and ideological pressures continue to evolve.

Listen to the full episode here