My friend and co-author Hans Noel has a new article (PDF) in The Forum with the provocative title “Ten Things Political Scientists Know that You Don’t.” If you read this blog, you may be familiar with some of the points that he makes, but it’s a useful and provocative take on what political science has to contribute to the national debate. Here are the ten points he discusses:

1. It’s The Fundamentals, Stupid
2. The Will of the People is Incredibly Hard to Put Your Finger on
3. The Will of The People May Not Even Exist
4. There Is No Such Thing As A Mandate
5. Duverger: It’s The Law
6. Party On
7. Most Independents Are Closet Partisans
8. Special Interests Are A Political Fiction
9. The Grass Does Not Grow By Itself
10. We Do Not Know What You Think You Know

The rest of the issue on Political Science and Practical Politics may also be of interest, especially Henry Farrell and John Sides of The Monkey Cage on political science blogs and Seth Masket of Enik Rising on academics outside the academy (all articles are freely available but require registration).

[Disclosure: I read and commented on a version of the article in draft form.]