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Nathan Michael Katz

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Louisiana Tech University
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About Nathan

Katz is a political and media sociologist whose work covers a broad range of topics including campaign finance, political advertising, and the role of music in social movements. The overarching thread within the work is an exploration of where and how media is shaped and/or used to hinder democratic practices.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

The Future of Political Messaging in Republican Primaries

Key Findings Brief,

Why Regulating Political Advertising Firms May Make For Better Speech

Key Findings Brief,

How Super PACs Shape U.S. Elections with Advertisements that Portray Candidates in Ways Publicly Identified Campaign Ads Often Avoid

Key Findings Brief,

Publications

"Beyond Donors: Toward a Sociology of Campaign Expenditures" Sociology Compass 16, no. 3 (2022).

Suggests that the new institutionalist perspective, particularly when treating ideas as a causal force, allows for a stronger understanding of campaign finance reform's impact on the public sphere. Demonstrates institutionalist analysis through linking campaign finance law, political organizing, and campaign spending, specifically for the purpose of political advertising, together. 

"Impression Management, Super PACs, and the 2012 Republican Primary" Symbolic Interaction 39, no. 2 (2016): 175-195.

Analyzes the impression management techniques used by both candidates and candidate-specific Super PACs in political advertisements during the 2012 Republican primary. Finds that while there are some differences, the advertisements follow the same performance patterns and have a complimentary nature to one another.