Dissertation
Replacing the State: Market Expansion in the Postindustrial Era (John D Stephens (Chair), Evelyne Huber (Chair), Santiago Olivella, Lucy Martin, Mallory Sorelle). My dissertation examines the effects of market expansion on the political economy of advanced democracies. While markets and politics are often seen as following opposing logics in the management of public goods, we know surprisingly little about how the growing involvement of market actors in this area has influenced postindustrial societies today. I propose a novel theory of market expansion, arguing that individuals are less likely to seek political remedies in areas where markets have replaced the state as the dominant frame of reference. Using a mixed-methods approach- including experiments, geographically based micro-data, and interviews, I find that the expanded role of markets across various social spheres has transformed key features of democratic representation. My findings show that market expansion weakens political accountability, depoliticizes certain issues, and may even exacerbate educational inequalities. My work highlights that market reforms carry important implications for basic democratic tenants, which should be considered alongside more traditional concerns like efficiency and personal choice.
Teaching Interests
Social Policy, Political Economy, Comparative Politics, European Politics, Research Methods
Research Interests
Comparative Political Economy, Methodology
Publications
Journal of European Social Policy, Citizenship Studies