Joseph Postell is an associate professor of politics. This interview has been edited for length, style, and clarity.
What are three of your favorite movies?
“Shawshank Redemption,” “The Natural,” and an obscure ’90s film called “Singles.”
When did you know that you wanted to be a politics professor?
I started as a computer science major in college, and I was like most 18 year old boys coming out of public high schools. I wanted to program video games for the rest of my life. But I took a course on the French Revolution my freshman year, and that got me interested in politics.
What is one of your favorite classes that you have taught?
The class on political parties and elections. The people that we read and think about in that class are people that often get overlooked in politics classes. The two heroes of that class are Martin Van Buren and William Howard Taft who most people don’t know very much about.
What are a few terms you would use to describe yourself?
I am friendly, committed to the students, and introverted.
What is your favorite political document?
The Federalist Papers.
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled?
Colorado. I lived in Colorado Springs for 10 years and I loved it.
If you weren’t a professor, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I would probably either be a lawyer because I love the law, or I’d be working in politics — I’d probably be working on some sort of House or Senate committee as a staffer.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love playing board games, not necessarily war games but things like Ticket to Ride.
What is a simple thing that brings you joy?
Having positive and friendly interactions with other human beings. Sometimes we spend way too much time thinking about larger political and cultural questions, and sometimes the Midwestern part of me just likes to give people a smile and ask them some friendly questions about how their day is going.
What is one of your favorite things about Hillsdale?
The students.
What societal development do you hope to see in your lifetime?
What we need to save our country is not to overcome partisanship but actually to rededicate ourselves to partisanship. Most of the problems we have today have to do with the breakdown of our institutions, and the parties are the most important institutions so they’re the ones that have broken down the most. Everybody hates not only the opposing party, but they also hate their own party. That means that nobody can get along long enough to come to an agreement on any kind of coherent policy.
What were some of your interests as a kid?
I loved to play baseball, soccer, and tennis. I probably played a lot of video games too, just like every other kid. I still remember the old school Nintendo. And, I read a lot.
How do you recharge?
Taking long walks and spending time with my wife. I also love to drive. For some people taking a two hour drive somewhere is terrible. If I really need to get away and clear my head and go somewhere, the drive is a welcome thing.
