Research by Field

• American politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Political Theory

American Politics

This field is concerned with a diverse set of topics that comprise the politics and functioning of the American system of governance. Scholarship in this field has changed dramatically over recent decades, from the study of governing institutions and elections to a much broader set of considerations. Few departments nationally have the faculty resources to cover the diversity of the field well and to gain distinction as powerhouses in American politics. Nonetheless, we have achieved national distinction in selected sub-fields of American politics. Our sub-field strengths are in media and political communications, political participation and representation, public law, and public policy processes ­ all supported by our network of interrelated research centers. In particular, the Center for American Politics and Public Policy provides a focal point for addressing methodological and theoretical concerns of the broader field of American politics. As such, the development of this center is central to the prospects for the field of American politics at this university.

Comparative Politics

The faculty of the comparative politics sub-field is engaged in cutting-edge research that contributes to the development of comparative theory, employs sophisticated research methodologies, and builds on substantial area expertise. Thus the faculty is committed to transcending sterile debates about area studies and comparative methods. Jointly, the faculty generates an impressive synergy among methodological, theoretical, and empirical skills that contributes to the success of faculty research. The faculty maintains an active research agenda reflecting diverse conceptual approaches to the comparative study of topics such as labor-management relations, the fiscal and taxation capacities of nation-states, political party formation and behavior, and judicial institutions. Moreover, the leading comparative journal Comparative Political Studies, based at the University of Washington, is supported by faculty in key roles on the editorial board. The journal publishes important research by top scholars, and also provides valuable opportunities for graduate students to submit scholarly articles, and become familiar with the process of peer review. A core strategy for further developing the sub-field and supporting the active research agendas of the comparative faculty lies in expanding graduate student support and participation in faculty research. The faculty also seeks to build on a record of published collaborative work.

International Relations

Recognizing the growing importance of international relations in a globalizing, more economically oriented international environment, the department systematically built up the IR group. This has generated a distinguished and relatively young faculty group as well as the departmentàs most diverse field in theoretical (political economy, demographics, social constructivism, game theory, political psychology) and methodological terms. The faculty have particular strengths in international institutions, international security,formal models of conflict and democracy, and international environmental affairs.

Political Theory

The department has had a long-term commitment to political theory, which reflects the theory-driven nature of political inquiry in the department in general. The theory group comprises a wide range of interests and expertise. The strength of our faculty is contemporary political theory ­ especially formal analytical theory, feminist theory, and liberal theory. We also provide students with training in other areas of political theory as well as in areas that overlap with other departmental subfields. Students can, for example, study American political theory, African American thought, aspects of jurisprudence, and the philosophy of social science.