My Research Agenda
My research focuses on how the design and operation of political institutions affect public policy outcomes and the quality of democratic governance. Of particular interest is the problem of representation: how are the interests of citizens, businesses, organizations and other stakeholders represented in the political process? In public policy outcomes? Can institutions be designed or reformed to improve representation? Much of my work focuses on subnational (i.e., state, regional and local) political processes, especially in U.S. metropolitan areas.
CURRENT PROJECTS
DMACS: The Detroit Metropolitan Area Communities Study (with Jeff Morenoff and Conan Smith)
Evaluation of the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project (with Arun Agrawal and Ashwini Chhatre)
Evaluation of the Multistakeholder Forest Program - Nepal (with Arun Agrawal)
Regional Planning in Spatial Perspective (with Carolyn Loh)
Political Competition and Infrastructure Investment (with John Matsusaka and Megan Mullin)
DMACS: The Detroit Metropolitan Area Communities Study (with Jeff Morenoff and Conan Smith)
Evaluation of the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project (with Arun Agrawal and Ashwini Chhatre)
Evaluation of the Multistakeholder Forest Program - Nepal (with Arun Agrawal)
Regional Planning in Spatial Perspective (with Carolyn Loh)
Political Competition and Infrastructure Investment (with John Matsusaka and Megan Mullin)
BOOKS
RECENT ARTICLES
“Motivational Crowding in Sustainable Development Interventions,” with Arun Agrawal and Ashwini Chhatre. 2015. American Political Science Review 109:3, 470-487.
"Spatial Dynamics of Vertical and Horizontal Intergovernmental Collaboration,” with Carolyn Loh. Forthcoming. Journal of Urban Affairs 37:3, 270-288.
“Political Homophily and Collaboration in Regional Planning Networks,” with Adam Henry and Mark Lubell. 2013. American Journal of Political Science 57:3, 598-610.
“Partisanship and Local Climate Policy.” Spring 2013. Cityscape 15:1, 107-124.
“When Mayors Matter: Estimating the Impact of Mayoral Partisanship on City Policy,” with Daniel Hopkins. 2011. American Journal of Political Science. 55:2, 326-339.
“Prospects for Expanding Regional Planning Efforts,” with Carolyn Loh. 2011. Urban Studies.
“Balancing Regionalism and Localism: How Institutions and Incentives Shape American Transportation Policy,” with Clark C. Gibson. 2009. American Journal of Political Science 53:3, 633-48.
“Evaluating the Effects of Direct Democracy on Public Policy: California’s Urban Growth Boundaries,” With Justin H. Phillips. 2005. American Politics Research 33:2, 310-330.
“Beyond the Median: Voter Preferences, District Heterogeneity, and Representation,” with Jeffrey B. Lewis.
2004. Journal of Political Economy 112:6, 1364-1383.
“Direct Democracy and Land Use Policy: Exchanging Public Goods for Development Rights,” with Justin H.
Phillips. 2004. Urban Studies 41:2, 463-479.
“When Does Government Limit the Impact of Voter Initiatives: The Politics of Implementation and Enforcement,” with Arthur Lupia and Mathew McCubbins. 2004. Journal of Politics 66:1, 43-68.
“Development Propositions, Interest Group Endorsements, and the Political Geography of Growth Preferences,” with Justin H. Phillips. 2003. American Journal of Political Science 47:4, 625-639.
"Spatial Dynamics of Vertical and Horizontal Intergovernmental Collaboration,” with Carolyn Loh. Forthcoming. Journal of Urban Affairs 37:3, 270-288.
“Political Homophily and Collaboration in Regional Planning Networks,” with Adam Henry and Mark Lubell. 2013. American Journal of Political Science 57:3, 598-610.
“Partisanship and Local Climate Policy.” Spring 2013. Cityscape 15:1, 107-124.
“When Mayors Matter: Estimating the Impact of Mayoral Partisanship on City Policy,” with Daniel Hopkins. 2011. American Journal of Political Science. 55:2, 326-339.
“Prospects for Expanding Regional Planning Efforts,” with Carolyn Loh. 2011. Urban Studies.
“Balancing Regionalism and Localism: How Institutions and Incentives Shape American Transportation Policy,” with Clark C. Gibson. 2009. American Journal of Political Science 53:3, 633-48.
“Evaluating the Effects of Direct Democracy on Public Policy: California’s Urban Growth Boundaries,” With Justin H. Phillips. 2005. American Politics Research 33:2, 310-330.
“Beyond the Median: Voter Preferences, District Heterogeneity, and Representation,” with Jeffrey B. Lewis.
2004. Journal of Political Economy 112:6, 1364-1383.
“Direct Democracy and Land Use Policy: Exchanging Public Goods for Development Rights,” with Justin H.
Phillips. 2004. Urban Studies 41:2, 463-479.
“When Does Government Limit the Impact of Voter Initiatives: The Politics of Implementation and Enforcement,” with Arthur Lupia and Mathew McCubbins. 2004. Journal of Politics 66:1, 43-68.
“Development Propositions, Interest Group Endorsements, and the Political Geography of Growth Preferences,” with Justin H. Phillips. 2003. American Journal of Political Science 47:4, 625-639.
