Thanks, Bit!!!

Defended my Ph.D. at Emory yesterday!

This project was built from many long days in the archives, studying how non-state actors shaped colonial governance. Extremely grateful to everyone.

Very excited to be joining Penn State's Political Science Department as an Assistant Professor this fall!

Thank you, @zethis.bsky.social!!

Interested in how organized crime shapes--and is shaped by--democracy? Check out my new article at @bjpols.bsky.social, linked here!

Check out the full article for more: cup.org/3Jn3Jrg

#OpenAcess #PoliticalViolence #Mexico #Democracy #CriminalGovernance #BJPolS

Rather than deepening democracy, re-election in these contexts helped embed illicit actors. That means fewer challengers, more state protection, and weaker citizen oversight. This highlights the need for institutional guardrails in high-crime areas to protect local democracy.

Using a staggered difference-in-differences design across Mexican municipalities and a new dataset on electoral violence, I find candidate killings by criminal groups jumped where incumbents could run again, and re-electable mayors in high-crime areas engaged in more corruption.

Re-election is supposed to let voters reward or punish their leaders, improving governance. But in places where crime groups dominate local politics, re-election can flip the logic: incumbents and criminals groups can collaborate to stay in power rather than respond to voters.

Re-election means voters can hold elected officials accountable, but can it be effective where criminal groups shape local politics? In my new article in @bjpols.bsky.social, I show that in high-crime areas of Mexico, re-election did not boost accountability, but increased collusion instead.

Hi Anastasia, it's great to meet you! You've been added :)

Hi Francesco, it's great to meet you. You've been added!

I've added you! Thanks for reaching out!

Interesting in the amazing work of scholars who study organized crime and politics? Check out this growing starter pack of scholars and policy-makers.

DM me or @juliangerez.com to be added to the list! We're looking to expand!

go.bsky.app/EibGsKS

Hi Jasmine, I'd love to be added. Thanks for doing this!

An important read that highlights where the world is now -- and what's on our horizon.

Hi Nihad! Could you add me please? Thanks for organizing this!

Thank you for all that you do, @elizabethbitmeehan.com!

Hi there!

👋 I'm a Ph.D. candidate at Emory. I study how armed groups shape state-building and accountability in historical and modern contexts. If you want to learn more, check out my website: adee-weller.com