Institutions | Department of Political Science

The study of institutions is foundational in political science. We focus on political institutions in a variety of forms, such as legislatures, parties, interest groups, the bureaucracy, and international NGOs and governing bodies. Our research on institutions takes many approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, and interpretive analyses.

Paul M. Collins, Jr.

His research focuses on understanding bias and inequality in the American legal system, particularly in the behavior of actors like judges, legislators, presidents, the media, and interest groups.

I have published articles in the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, Journal of Law and Courts, Journal of Politics, Law...Read more

Peter M. Haas

My research interests include international relations, international relations theory, international political economy, international environmental politics, international institutions, the science-policy interface, and global governance.

I am currently developing a research project on global issue coupling and global governance. I am currently a member of the editorial boards of Global Environmental Politics,...Read more

Ray La Raja

Ray La Raja's areas of expertise include political parties, interest groups, campaign finance, elections, political participation, American state and local politics, public policy and political reform. He is co-author with Brian Schaffner and Jesse Rhodes of Hometown Inequality: Race, Class, and Representation in American Local Politics (Cambridge University Press 2020). He...Read more

MJ Peterson

My research interests include world politics, international institutions, international political economy, technology, technological change, and ethics in science and engineering.

I am also one of two UMass advisers for the Five College International relations Certificate. To make an appointment to talk about it, go to SSC Navigate, then...Read more

Jesse Rhodes

I am a Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

My research revolves around struggles over race, representation, and civil and voting rights, and their consequences for politics and policymaking in the United States. I have written extensively on inequality in representation, voting rights politics,...Read more

Doug Rice

My research centers on judicial policymaking in American politics, with a particular interest in the power of courts in the American policymaking context, and the implications of according policymaking power to judicial institutions in a democratic political system. My work has appeared in The Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, The Journal of Law,...Read more

Regine A. Spector

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I teach comparative political economy, development, energy and Central Asian politics courses. My current research examines New England energy politics and electric grid reform, and the climate implications of our energy and water use...Read more

Search Google Appliance