Famous American Political Scientists

Ralph Johnson Bunche was an American political scientist, diplomat, and key figure in the mid-20th-century decolonization process and civil rights movement. He was the first black Nobel laureate and played a significant role in the formation and early administration of the United Nations. Bunche served as an acting mediator for the Middle East, negotiating an armistice between Egypt and Israel, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. He continued to serve at the UN, overseeing various peacekeeping operations and crisis resolutions until his retirement in 1971.

Maya Lakshmi Harris is an accomplished American lawyer, public policy advocate, and writer. She has served as a senior policy advisor for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and as chair of Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign. Harris has been involved with reputable organizations such as PolicyLink, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Center for American Progress. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to advancing progressive policies and advocating for social justice through her work in the legal and policy spheres.

Elinor Claire "Lin" Ostrom was an American political scientist and political economist known for her work in New Institutional Economics and political economy. She was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2009 for her analysis of economic governance, particularly focusing on the commons. Ostrom held various prestigious positions at Indiana University and Arizona State University, where she was a Distinguished Professor and founding director of the Center for the Study of Institutional Diversity. She conducted extensive research on resource management and advocated for rational use of resources by communities to prevent depletion.

Samuel P. Huntington was an influential American political scientist and academic with a career spanning over half a century at Harvard University. He held various prestigious positions, including director of Harvard's Center for International Affairs and the Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor. Huntington served as the White House Coordinator of Security Planning for the National Security Council during Jimmy Carter's presidency. He is most renowned for his 1993 theory on the "Clash of Civilizations," which predicted cultural conflicts as the main driver of future wars, particularly highlighting the Islamic civilization as a major threat to Western dominance. Huntington's work significantly impacted American perspectives on civilian-military relations, political development, and comparative government, making him one of the most cited authors in political science courses.

Herbert Alexander Simon was an influential American political scientist known for his work in decision-making within organizations. His research on "bounded rationality" and "satisficing" gained significant recognition. Simon received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and the Turing Award for his interdisciplinary research spanning cognitive science, computer science, and more. He was a key figure in the development of artificial intelligence, information processing, and organization theory. Simon was instrumental in founding the Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science and made substantial contributions to understanding complex systems and power law distributions.

Jeane Kirkpatrick was an American diplomat and political scientist known for her role in shaping the foreign policy of the Ronald Reagan administration. She was the first woman to serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations and advocated for the "Kirkpatrick Doctrine", supporting authoritarian regimes aligned with U.S. interests. Kirkpatrick held various positions in Reagan's cabinet, including the National Security Council, and continued her career as a syndicated columnist focusing on United Nations activities after leaving government service.

Robert A. Dahl was an influential American political theorist and Sterling Professor of Political Science at Yale University. He is renowned for establishing the pluralist theory of democracy, introducing "polyarchy" as a descriptor of democratic governance, and advancing behavioralist characterizations of political power. Dahl's research primarily focused on decision-making processes in institutions, particularly in American cities. He is recognized as a key scholar associated with the pluralist approach to understanding city and national power structures and is considered one of the greatest theorists of democracy in history.

George Friedman is a prominent American futurologist, political scientist, and writer of Hungarian descent. He is renowned for his expertise in geopolitics and international relations. As the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures, he provides valuable insights and analysis on global events and trends. Prior to establishing Geopolitical Futures, Friedman held the position of chairman at Stratfor, a respected publishing company specializing in strategic intelligence and analysis. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the field of geopolitics and is highly regarded for his strategic acumen.

Russell Kirk was an influential American political philosopher, moralist, historian, and social critic known for shaping 20th-century American conservatism. His book, "The Conservative Mind," was pivotal in defining the postwar conservative movement in the U.S. Kirk emphasized the importance of traditionalist conservatism and the ideas of Edmund Burke in the Anglo-American tradition. Additionally, he was a renowned author of Gothic and ghost story fiction, establishing himself as a significant conservative man of letters in the twentieth century.

Norman Finkelstein is an American political scientist and activist known for his research on the politics of the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has held faculty positions at various universities and gained prominence with his book "The Holocaust Industry," where he criticizes the use of Holocaust memory to shield Israel from criticism. Finkelstein is a vocal critic of Israeli policy, referring to Israel as a "Jewish supremacist state" and accusing it of committing apartheid against Palestinians. His work includes books like "Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom."

Paul David Wellstone was an American academic, author, and politician who served as a United States Senator for Minnesota from 1991 until his tragic death in a plane crash in 2002. He was known for his progressive and populist advocacy within the Democratic Party. Wellstone started his career as a professor at Carleton College, where he taught political science. He ran for political office in 1982 and successfully challenged the incumbent senator in 1990, gaining national attention for his grassroots campaigning tactics. Wellstone was a strong supporter of environmental protection, labor groups, and health care reform during his time in the Senate.

Dee Dee Myers is an accomplished American political analyst known for her historic role as the first woman White House Press Secretary during the Clinton administration. With a notable career in media, she co-hosted the news program Equal Time on CNBC and served as a consultant on The West Wing. Myers is also a best-selling author and a strong advocate for women's leadership, as demonstrated in her book Why Women Should Rule the World. Her expertise has been further recognized through her role as Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom.

Harold Dwight Lasswell was an influential American political scientist and communications theorist known for his groundbreaking work in the social sciences. He held a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and served as a professor of law at Yale University. Lasswell was recognized for his innovative research in exploring the role of personality, social structure, and culture in understanding political phenomena. He was a prominent figure in disciplines such as communication, political science, psychology, and sociology, blurring boundaries between these fields to advance interdisciplinary scholarship.

Michael Parenti is an American political scientist, academic historian, and cultural critic with a diverse professional background. He has taught at various universities and has also ventured into politics by running for political office. Parenti is renowned for his Marxist writings and lectures, making him a prominent figure in intellectual circles on the American Left. Through his scholarly and popular works, he engages with a wide range of subjects, offering critical perspectives that challenge prevailing narratives and stimulate discussions on important social and political issues.

Antonia Coello Novello is a distinguished Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator. She made history as the first woman and first Hispanic to hold the position of Surgeon General of the United States, serving from 1990 to 1993. Novello further contributed to public health by serving as Commissioner of Health for the State of New York. Her remarkable career has been recognized with numerous awards, over fifty honorary degrees, induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and election to the National Academy of Medicine. Her memoir, "Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service," was published in 2024.

Cass Sunstein is an accomplished American legal scholar and best-selling author known for his expertise in constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, and behavioral economics. He served as the administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs during the Obama administration and was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School for 27 years. Sunstein has made significant contributions to regulatory and constitutional law and is currently the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School. He is widely recognized as one of the most cited American legal scholars.

Fredric Jameson is an American literary critic, philosopher, and Marxist political theorist best known for his analysis of contemporary cultural trends, particularly postmodernity and capitalism. He has authored influential books such as "Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism" and "The Political Unconscious." Jameson holds prestigious positions at Duke University, including Knut Schmidt-Nielsen Professor of Comparative Literature and Director of the Institute for Critical Theory. He received the Modern Language Association's Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement in 2012.

Francis Fukuyama is an American political scientist, economist, and writer renowned for his book "The End of History and the Last Man." He has served as a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and as the Mosbacher Director of the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law at Stanford University. Fukuyama has held academic positions at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. He is associated with the neoconservative movement but has distanced himself from it. He has also been involved in various international organizations and received prestigious awards for his contributions to public administration.

Larry Joseph Sabato is an esteemed American political scientist and analyst, serving as the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He is the founder and director of the Center for Politics, dedicated to fostering civic engagement. Sabato is renowned for his work on Sabato's Crystal Ball, a widely-read online newsletter offering political analysis and electoral projections. A sought-after pundit in American political media, Sabato is regularly featured in interviews across various platforms.

Mancur Olson Jr. was a renowned American economist and political scientist known for his impactful work in new institutional economics. He was a faculty member at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he made significant contributions to the understanding of private property, taxation, public goods, collective action, and contract rights in economic development. Olson's research emphasized the importance of institutions in shaping economic outcomes, influencing scholars and policymakers with his insights on how institutional arrangements impact societal progress and growth.

Robert Keohane is a prominent American academic specializing in international relations and international political economy. Known for his work in neoliberal institutionalism, he gained recognition for his book "After Hegemony." He serves as Professor Emeritus of International Affairs at Princeton University and has taught at various prestigious institutions. Keohane is highly regarded in the field of International Relations, ranking second in influence and quality of scholarship in recent years. His work is widely cited in political science courses, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the field.

Gabriel Almond was a prominent American political scientist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of comparative politics, political development, and political culture. Throughout his career, he conducted extensive research and authored numerous influential works that continue to shape the study of political science. Almond's work emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural and societal factors that influence political systems around the world, making significant contributions to the field of political science and inspiring generations of scholars to further explore these areas of study.

Robert D. Putnam is an American political scientist and professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is known for developing the two-level game theory, emphasizing the importance of domestic benefits in international agreements. His book "Bowling Alone" highlights the decline of social capital in the US since the 1960s. Putnam's work also addresses issues of inequality of opportunity, as seen in his book "Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis." He is a highly cited author in political science courses.

James Q. Wilson was a prominent American political scientist known for his expertise in public administration. He held professorships at UCLA and Harvard University and served in various advisory roles, including the Council of Academic Advisors of the American Enterprise Institute. Wilson was recognized for his contributions to political science through leadership positions in prestigious organizations and authoring influential textbooks and scholarly works. His introduction of the broken windows theory in a 1982 article and the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received in 2003 underscore his significant impact on the field.

Paul Wolfowitz is an American political scientist and diplomat who has held prominent positions such as the 10th President of the World Bank, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, and dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Known for advocating the Iraq War and being labeled an architect of the conflict, he later denied influencing policy on Iraq. Resigning from the World Bank presidency amidst a scandal involving alleged favoritism towards a romantic partner, Wolfowitz remains a polarizing figure in American politics.

Iris Marion Young was an American political theorist and socialist feminist known for her focus on justice and social difference. She held the position of Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and was associated with the Center for Gender Studies and the Human Rights program. Young's research spanned contemporary political theory, feminist social theory, and normative analysis of public policy. She emphasized the significance of political activism and urged her students to engage with their communities.

Charles Tilly was an American sociologist, political scientist, and historian known for his groundbreaking work on the relationship between politics and society. He held positions at the University of Michigan and Columbia University, where he was a prominent figure in the fields of history, sociology, and social science. Tilly's influential research spanned various topics including urban sociology, state formation, democracy, social movements, labor, and inequality. He was recognized as a leading figure in 21st-century sociology and a pioneer of large-scale historical social science research.

Raul Hilberg was a prominent political scientist and historian known for his extensive research on the Holocaust. Widely recognized as the leading scholar in this field, he is often referred to as the founding father of Holocaust studies. His seminal work, The Destruction of the European Jews, consisting of three volumes and 1,273 pages, is considered a cornerstone in understanding the Nazi Final Solution. Hilberg's professional contributions have significantly shaped research and discourse surrounding one of the most tragic events in human history.

Chalmers Johnson was an American political scientist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. He served in the Korean War, worked as a CIA consultant, and chaired the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Johnson co-founded the Japan Policy Research Institute, which focuses on public education about Japan and Asia. He authored several books, notably on the consequences of what he termed the "American Empire," arguing that a nation cannot be both a democracy and imperialist simultaneously.

Alexander Wendt is a prominent American political scientist known for his contributions to social constructivism in international relations. He is considered a key figure in the development of quantum social science. Alongside other influential academics, Wendt has solidified constructivism as a major school of thought in the field. Recognized by surveys of international relations scholars, he has been consistently ranked as a leading scholar who has produced significant and innovative work in the field over the past two decades.

Malcolm Kerr was a prominent university professor known for his specialization in the Middle East and the Arab world. As an American citizen, he dedicated his career to advancing knowledge and understanding of the region. Kerr served as the president of the American University of Beirut, where he made significant contributions to academic and cultural exchange. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was fatally shot by gunmen in 1984, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly excellence and a commitment to education.

Robert Kagan is an American columnist and political scientist known for his neoconservative views. He is a critic of U.S. foreign policy and a strong proponent of liberal interventionism. As a co-founder of the Project for the New American Century, he has been influential in shaping foreign policy debates. Kagan serves as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and has advised both Republican presidential candidates and Democratic administrations. He writes a regular column for The Washington Post and made headlines during the 2016 election for endorsing Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.

Arend Lijphart is a Dutch-American political scientist renowned for his expertise in comparative politics, elections, voting systems, democratic institutions, and ethnicity and politics. As a Research Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego, he has made significant contributions to the field of political science. Lijphart is particularly noted for his work on consociational democracy and his role in shaping the new Institutionalism in political science. His professional life is distinguished by his impactful research and influential academic contributions in these areas.

Kenneth Neal Waltz was a prominent American political scientist known for his contributions to the field of international relations. He served on the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University, and was recognized as one of the most influential scholars in the field. Waltz was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a key figure in the development of neorealism and defensive neorealism theories, with his work in "Theory of International Politics" being widely regarded and debated in academic circles.

Theodore Lothrop Stoddard was an American historian, journalist, and political scientist known for his advocacy of eugenics, white supremacy, and scientific racism. He authored influential books such as "The Rising Tide of Color Against White World-Supremacy" and "The Revolt Against Civilization: The Menace of the Under-man." Stoddard was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Eugenics Society, and he played a role in the American Birth Control League, later known as Planned Parenthood. His work had a significant impact on Nazi ideology, particularly the concept of the Untermensch.

Seymour Martin Lipset was a prominent American sociologist and political scientist known for his significant contributions to the fields of political sociology, trade union organization, social stratification, public opinion, and the sociology of intellectual life. He extensively examined the conditions for democracy from a comparative perspective. Lipset held prestigious positions as president of both the American Political Science Association and the American Sociological Association. Over the course of his career, he transitioned from a socialist to a neoconservative, leaving a lasting impact as a leading theorist of democracy and American exceptionalism.

Theda Skocpol is an American sociologist and political scientist, currently serving as the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University. She is renowned for advocating historical-institutional and comparative approaches, as well as the "state autonomy theory". Skocpol has contributed extensively to both popular and academic literature and has held prestigious roles such as President of the American Political Science Association and the Social Science History Association. Her work in historical sociology, particularly her book States and Social Revolutions, has been influential in revolution research, focusing on the relationship between social revolutions and specific societal structures.

Elmer Eric Schattschneider was a prominent American political scientist known for his influential contributions to political theory and analysis. He made significant advancements in the study of interest group politics, party systems, and democratic theory. Schattschneider's work emphasized the role of power dynamics in shaping political outcomes and the importance of citizen engagement in a functioning democracy. His writings continue to be studied and referenced in political science and related fields, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in shaping modern political thought.

William Riker was a distinguished American political scientist known for his pioneering work in applying game theory and mathematics to political science. He played a crucial role in elevating the University of Rochester's status as a leading institution for the behavioral revolution in political science. Riker's contributions to the field were significant, and his innovative approaches continue to influence political science research to this day.

Adam Ulam was a renowned Polish-American historian and political scientist based at Harvard University. He specialized in Sovietology and Kremlinology, establishing himself as a leading authority in these fields. Ulam authored numerous books and articles, contributing significantly to academic discourse on Soviet affairs and political science. His expertise in understanding the Soviet Union and the workings of the Kremlin made him a highly respected figure in the academic community, with his works continuing to be influential in the study of these subjects.

Grayson Kirk was a prominent American political scientist known for his role as the president of Columbia University during the tumultuous protests of 1968. He also served as an advisor to the State Department, contributing significantly to its operations. Kirk's influence extended to the international stage, where he played a crucial role in the formation of the United Nations, showcasing his expertise in diplomacy and global governance. His professional legacy is marked by his leadership in academia, government advisory roles, and international relations.

Valdimer Orlando Key Jr. was a prominent American political scientist recognized for his extensive research on American elections and voting patterns. He held teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Harvard, where he shared his expertise with students. Key's work was highly regarded for its empirical approach, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of American politics. Through his studies and publications, he made significant contributions to the understanding of voting behavior and the electoral process in the United States.

Arthur F. Bentley was an influential American political scientist and philosopher known for his work in epistemology, logic, and linguistics. He made significant contributions to the development of a behavioral methodology in political science, emphasizing the role of individual behavior in shaping political outcomes. Bentley's research and writings focused on understanding the complexities of political processes and institutions through a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from philosophy, sociology, and psychology. His work continues to be studied and referenced in the fields of political science and social theory.

Alan Westin was a distinguished figure in the field of public law and government, serving as a Professor Emeritus at Columbia University. He was also known for his work as the former publisher of Privacy & American Business and as the former President of the Center for Social & Legal Research. Throughout his career, Westin made significant contributions to the understanding of privacy issues and their implications for society, leaving a lasting impact on the academic and legal communities.

Edward Samuel Corwin was a prominent American legal scholar known for his contributions to the field of constitutional law. He served as the president of the American Political Science Association and was recognized for his influential writings on American constitutional law during the early to mid-twentieth century. Corwin's work reflected the growing activist thinking in various areas of American law, making him a respected figure in the legal and political academic community.

Sarah Wambaugh was a pioneering American political scientist known for her groundbreaking research and contributions to the field. She specialized in various aspects of political science, including international relations and public policy. Wambaugh was a prolific writer, publishing numerous influential papers and books that shaped the academic discourse in her field. She was also a respected educator, teaching at prestigious institutions and mentoring aspiring scholars. Throughout her career, Wambaugh's work was widely recognized for its depth, insight, and lasting impact on the field of political science.

Vladimir Tismăneanu is a renowned Romanian American political scientist, political analyst, sociologist, and professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. He specializes in political systems, comparative politics, and post-communist societies. Tismăneanu has served as the director of the University of Maryland's Center for the Study of Post-Communist Societies and has been actively involved in academic publications, including East European Politics and Societies. He is recognized for his scholarly works on Stalinism, Romanian communism, nationalism, and liberal democracy, with a critical perspective on civil society.

Murray Edelman was an influential American political scientist celebrated for his pioneering work in the fields of symbolic politics and political psychology. Through his research, Edelman contributed significantly to our understanding of how symbols and rhetoric shape political discourse and decision-making processes. He was known for his critical analysis of political communication, media manipulation, and the power dynamics inherent in the use of symbols in political contexts. Edelman's scholarly contributions continue to have a lasting impact on the fields of political science and communication studies.

Teresia Teaiwa was a highly respected scholar, poet, activist, and mentor known for her pioneering work in Pacific Studies. Her research encompassed a wide range of contemporary issues in the Pacific, including feminism, women's activism, culture, arts, and pedagogy. Teaiwa was actively involved in anti-nuclear advocacy, supporting West Papuan independence, and criticizing militarism. She solidified connections across the Pacific and was considered a significant voice on Pacific affairs. Her poetry continues to be widely published, and her term "militourism" highlighted the interplay between military presence and tourism in the region.

John Harvey Wheeler was an American author, political scientist, and scholar. He gained recognition as the co-author of the Cold War novel "Fail-Safe" with Eugene Burdick, which was later adapted into a film. Wheeler was also a founding editor of the Journal of Social and Biological Structures and advocated for online education and the democratizing potential of the Internet. He taught a course on "OnLine Publishing" for Connected Education in the 1980s, showcasing his commitment to innovative educational methods.

Quincy Wright was an American political scientist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to international law, international relations, and security studies. He played a pivotal role in leading the Causes of War project at the University of Chicago, culminating in the influential publication of the multi-volume book A Study of War in 1942. His expertise and pioneering work in these fields solidified his reputation as a leading authority in the realms of international relations and conflict studies.

Harriet Wiseman Elliott was a distinguished educator and influential figure in politics and civic engagement. She held various teaching positions in political science before becoming the Dean of Women at what is now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During the war years, she served in key roles such as Consumer Commissioner and U.S. delegate to UNESCO. Elliott was actively involved in political, civic, and professional organizations, leaving a lasting legacy that includes the naming of a student union building in her honor and an annual lecture series in social science.

Samuel Hutchison Beer was an American political scientist known for his expertise in the government and politics of the United Kingdom. He had a distinguished career as a professor at Harvard University, where he shared his knowledge and insights with countless students. Beer also made significant contributions as the president of the Americans for Democratic Action during the early 1960s, further solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in the field of political science and activism.