Fenwick Mc Kelvey's new book, _Sim Politics_, published by The MIT Press on June 23, 2026, traces the history of computer modeling in political practice from the 1960s to the late 1980s. The work examines how programmers, academics, and consultants developed simulations aimed at winning elections, predicting international events, and forecasting future political outcomes.

Mc Kelvey's research draws on archival material to detail efforts in simulating elections, voters, and international relations. The book compares attempts to model domestic electoral politics with those for international affairs, uncovering connections and conflicts between these two projects. It offers a historical perspective on the recurring promises that technology, including AI, will solve complex political challenges.

The book's open access edition is available through MIT Press Direct. Mc Kelvey, an Associate Professor at Concordia University, previously authored _Internet Daemons_. The work is positioned as an analysis of the historical use of computational approaches in politics, providing context for contemporary discussions about technology's role in democracy.