Political Institutions & Rule of Law
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The following activities and people highlight efforts at Stanford to understand, reimagine and strengthen formal institutions and processes of democratic governance, both political and legal.
Upcoming Events
Research
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Stanford Legal Design Lab
The Stanford Legal Design Lab conducts research, designs interventions, and develops technologies and policies to promote equal access to justice. -
Regulation, Evaluation and Governance Lab
RegLab partners with government agencies to design and evaluate programs, policies, and technologies that modernize government. -
Poverty, Violence, and Governance Lab
PovGov is a research lab that aims to provide solutions to poverty, lawlessness, and violence. -
Golub Captial Social Impact Lab
Government Services: Technology can be leveraged to transform the public sector, improving government service delivery while increasing fairness, transparency, and accountability. -
Understanding Public Opinion
The Hoover Institution conducts two bi-annual polls that measure the political attitudes of voters, their reactions to their leader’s policy decisions, and their beliefs about the direction of America. -
Tech Track 2
TT2 seeks to break down barriers between the government, industry, and academia, and inspire partnerships that reinforce US advantages critical to protecting liberal Democratic values, fostering prosperity, and preserving peace worldwide. -
Strengthening US-India Relations
The goal of the US-India Program at Hoover is to generate, identify, and advance policy-relevant scholarship and connections that will deepen the relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy. -
Strengthening Democracy Challenge
A joint project between academics and practitioners to crowdsource and identify short, scalable interventions to reduce anti-democratic attitudes, support for partisan violence, and/or partisan animosity among Americans. -
State and Local Governance Initiative
This key focus area centers on empowering state and local governance through research and policy recommendations. -
Governance Project
The Governance Project seeks to better conceptualize and measure governance. Initially, it will seek to understand how it functions in two societies – the Peoples Republic of China and the United States – and then expand to additional countries. -
2023-24 U.S. National Election Panel Project
This project is designed to measure the related dynamics of a close general election, contested primaries, trials of Donald Trump, an economy that will contradict at least some expectations, and major international conflicts. -
Improving American Elections Project
The Improving American Elections Initiative brings together election officials, academic experts and political practitioners to study American elections and develop initiatives to improve Americans’ confidence in their reliability. -
Governance and Institutions Project
The King Center supports research on the determinants of governance quality and the factors that bring about inclusive, resilient, democratic institutions. -
Program on Identity, Democracy, and Justice
The Program on Identity, Democracy, and Justice (IDJ) at CDDRL advances innovative research on the multifaceted dimensions of identity and their role in democratic development, struggles for recognition, social justice, and inclusion. -
Program on Capitalism and Democracy
The Program on Capitalism and Democracy seeks to address the crisis in democratic capitalism, marked by public disaffection with the system and perceived market and political failures. -
Program on Arab Reform and Democracy
Examines the different social and political dynamics within Arab countries and the evolution of their political systems, focusing on the prospects, conditions and possible pathways for Democratic reform in the region. -
Program on American Democracy in Comparative Perspectives
The Program on American Democracy in Comparative Perspective aims to investigate problems with American democracy, including polarization and gridlock, poor governance, and declining trust in government institutions. -
Stanford Center for Law and History
The Stanford Center for Law and History (SCLH) brings together faculty, postdocs, and students from across Stanford University to examine the multifaceted interrelationships between law and history. -
Neukom Center for the Rule of Law
Neukom Center for the Rule of Law provides academics with unparalleled opportunities to confront the world’s most complex challenges, primarily in developing countries. -
McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society
The McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society is committed to bringing ethical reflection to bear on important social problems through research, teaching, and community engagement. -
John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law
Our research agenda is focused on supporting the development and health of the public interest legal field, with particular focus on US legal services for the indigent and the interaction of international human rights with domestic reform. -
Deborah L. Rhode Center on Advancing the Legal Profession
Through a multidisciplinary approach to teaching, research, and policy, the Rhode Center works to make civil justice more equitable, accessible, and transparent and to promote the legal profession’s commitment to the public interest. -
Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law
An interdisciplinary center for research on development in all of its dimensions: political, economic, social, and legal, and the ways in which these different dimensions interact with one another. -
Center for Revitalizing American Institutions
This emerging center within the Hoover Institution focuses on studying and proposing reforms to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of American institutions, such as government agencies, public services, and regulatory bodies. -
Center for International Security and Cooperation
CISAC scholars are involved in issues like nuclear nonproliferation research, the study of international norms and ethics, and Track II talks with China, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia. -
Center for Human Rights and International Justice
The Center for Human Rights and International Justice is committed to investigating global human rights violations. They offer programs dedicated to advancing human rights, including civil society outreach efforts and trial monitoring. -
Hoover Institution
Seeking to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all mankind. -
Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
Stanford’s hub for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research, teaching, and policy impact in international affairs.
Engagement Opportunities
People in the Stanford Community
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Assistant Professor of Art and Art History -
Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Law
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Assistant Professor of Sociology -
Hoover Research Fellow -
Professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Hoover Fellow -
Associate Professor of Political Science -
Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council
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Associate Professor of History -
Charles Louis Ducommun Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences, Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, at SIEPR, at the Precourt Institute for Energy & Professor of Environmental Social Sciences -
Professor of Political Science, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Economics at the Graduate School of Business -
RoAnn Costin Professor and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research -
Bruce Tyson Mitchell Professor and Professor of Law
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Professor of Pediatrics (General Pediatrics) and, by courtesy, of Education -
Associate Director for Operations
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Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities -
Associate Professor of Political Science -
David & Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies, Hoover Inst. -
Lecturer
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Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and Rose-Marie and Jack R. Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor, by courtesy, of Economics and of Finance at the Graduate School of Business
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Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society and Professor of Philosophy and of Law, Emeritus
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William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science -
Advanced Lecturer -
Senior Research Scholar
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Director of Policy and Society -
Professor of History and, by courtesy, of French and Italian -
Associate Professor of Political Science -
Acad Research & Pgrm Officer, and Lecturer -
Mosbacher Senior Fellow of Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor, by courtesy, of Sociology and of Political Science -
Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science -
C. Wendell and Edith M. Carlsmith Professor and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
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Adjunct Professor
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Academic Technology Specialist -
Professor of Law -
Ernest W. McFarland Professor of Law -
Theodore and Frances Geballe Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Economics -
Wendt Family Professor and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution -
Professor (Teaching) of Law
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Janet M. Peck Professor of International Communication, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science -
Marion Rice Kirkwood Professor of Law, Emeritus
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Olivier & Nomellini Senior Fellow in International Studies at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science -
Associate Professor of History and of Law -
Charles J. Meyers Professor in Law and Business, Emeritus -
Professor of Communication, Emeritus -
Janet M. Peck Professor of International Communication, Professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research -
Professor of Law, Emeritus
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The Bowman Family Endowed Professor in Humanities and Sciences and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute, Emeritus -
Nelson Bowman Sweitzer and Marie B. Sweitzer Professor of Law, Emeritus
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Morris M. Doyle Centennial Professor of Public Policy and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution -
Social Science Research Scholar -
W. A. Franke Professor of Law and Business, Emeritus
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Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Professor of the Practice
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A.A. and Jeanne Welch Milligan Professor, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Professor of History and, by courtesy, of Economics -
Kimberly Glenn Professor and Professor of Political Science -
Davies Family Professor, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science -
Managing Director, CAPRI
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Lewis Talbot and Nadine Hearn Shelton Professor of International Legal Studies, Emeritus -
Judge John W. Ford Professor of Dispute Resolution
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Program Director, Policy Lab and Lecturer in Law
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William Robertson Coe Professor and Professor of Political Science and of Communication -
Associate Professor of Sociology
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Sara Hart Kimball Professor of the Humanities -
Assistant Professor of Political Science -
Professor of the Practice of Law
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Senior Lecturer of Sociology -
Gildred Professor in Latin American Studies, Emerita -
Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law
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Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus
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Professor of Law, Keith and Jan Hurlbut Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Professor of Political Economics at the GSB, Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and Professor, by courtesy, of Health Policy
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Associate Professor of Anthropology, and by courtesy, of Medicine (Stanford Prevention and Research Center) and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and at the Hoover Institution
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Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Relations and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and at the Hoover Institution, Emeritus -
Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor -
Executive Director King Center on Global Development and Research Scholar -
Senior Lecturer of Law
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Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research, James and Patricia Kowal Professor, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Psychology -
Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Relations and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Provost, Professor of Law, Frederick Emmons Terman Professor and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
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Ray Lyman Wilbur Professor, Emeritus -
Richard and Frances Mallery Professor of Law and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution
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Director, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, at the Freeman Spogli Institute and at the Woods Institute -
Hoover Research Fellow
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William F. Baxter-VISA International Professor of Law and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Hoover Institution Research Fellow
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William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Emeritus -
Jean and Rebecca Willard Endowed Professor of Classics -
Distinguished Visiting Fellow
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Adelbert H. Sweet Professor of Law and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research -
Markos & Eleni Kounalakis Chair in Honor of Constantine Mitsotakis, Professor of Political Science, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Professor of Classics and, by courtesy, of Philosophy -
William Haas Professor of Chinese Politics and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Louise Hewlett Nixon Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of English -
Sir Robert Ho Tung Professor of Chinese Studies, Professor of Communication, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science and of Sociology -
James B. McClatchy Professor, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Communication and of Political Science
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Ormond Family Professor of Finance and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
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Assistant Professor of Law
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McGregor-Girand Professor of Social Ethics of Science and Technology, Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for HAI, Professor, by courtesy, of Education, of Philosophy and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Freeman Spogli Institute -
Executive Director, Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession
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Tad & Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution, Denning Professor of Global Business & the Economy, Thomas & Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at Hoover, Professor of Political Sci & Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at FSI
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Lecturer -
Professor of Political Science, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research -
Director, Justice Advocacy Project and Lecturer in Law
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Helen C. Farnsworth Professor of International Agricultural Policy and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research -
Senior Research Scholar
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Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Steven and Roberta Denning Professor, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
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William J. Perry Professor, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of East Asian Languages and Cultures -
Luke W. Cole Professor of Environmental Law, Director of the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic, Professor (Teaching) of Environmental Social Sciences and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment -
Stanley Morrison Professor of Law
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Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. Professor of Public Policy -
The Nelson Bowman Sweitzer and Marie B. Sweitzer Professor of Law
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Hoover Institution Research Fellow -
Deputy Director -
Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor of Japanese Studies, Professor of Sociology and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies -
Fellow, Rock Center for Corporate Governance -
Lecturer
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Senior Research Scholar -
Senior Lecturer in Law -
Associate Professor of History -
Faculty Affiliate -
Senior Research Scholar
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Associate Dean for Global Programs and Professor of Law
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Kwoh-Ting Li Professor of Economic Development and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
Past Events
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Past Event Campus Events
The Social Roots of Authoritarianism
Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of LawOpen to: Stanford community (in-person); Public (online)-*This event has already occurred. -
Past Event Student-led Events
Autocratic Cooperation in Latin America Roundtable
Stanford Society for Latin American PoliticsOpen to: Stanford students-*This event has already occurred. -
Past Event Student-led Events
Voting for Autocracy: Book Talk with Professor Beatriz Magaloni
Stanford Society for Latin American PoliticsOpen to: Stanford students-*This event has already occurred.