Politics, Institutions, and Public Policy: Institute for Policy Research

This broad multidisciplinary program traces how social, political, and institutional dynamics shape and constrain national policymaking in the United States and in comparison with other countries. Experts in political identity, public opinion, inequality, political parties, media, gender, and many others come together to debate and study political processes and institutions and their participants.

A Message From Daniel Galvin, Program Chair

From the partisan divide on COVID-19 to systemic racial injustices to impediments to democratic participation, political institutions are being tested like never before. IPR faculty examine how political, social, and economic dynamics affect institutional operations and decision-making processes in the United States. Researchers analyze the interplay between political institutions, political behavior, and public policies.

Working Papers

Recently published articles and working papers in this program area include:

Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach and Michael Strain. 2020. Employment Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit: Taking the Long View (WP-20-52).

Levi Boxell, Jacob Conway, James Druckman, and Matthew Gentzkow. 2020. Affective Polarization Did Not Increase During the Coronavirus Pandemic (WP-20-51).

Stephanie Edgerly, Rachel Davis Mersey, and Owen Youngman. 2020. Market-based Opportunities in Local News Innovation: Drafting a Theoretical Framework (WP-20-50).

All Papers

Faculty Experts

Representing the fields of political science, economics, social policy, psychology, and sociology, faculty delve into the worlds of politics, institutions, and policymaking.