Academic Appointments


  • Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council, Sociology

2024-25 Courses


Stanford Advisees


All Publications


  • On university competition STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION Frank, D., Meyer, J. W. 2024
  • Global liberalism, emerging illiberalism, and human rights, 1980 to 2018. Social science research Cole, W. M., Schofer, E., Meyer, J. W. 2024; 120: 103001

    Abstract

    The international institutions established after 1945 enshrine and expand human rights norms. Recently, the global liberal order has been challenged by a variety of illiberal oppositions. We discuss how the trajectories of global liberalism and illiberal challenges may affect country human rights practices in both direct and diffuse ways. Hybrid panel regression models of human rights scores for 158 countries from 1980 to 2018 evaluate our arguments. We observe direct effects of global liberalism: countries linked to liberal organizations in world society have higher scores on measures of human rights practices. The growth of global liberalism also explains a great deal of within-country variation in human rights practices over time. However, recent illiberal challenges have the opposite effect. Countries linked to illiberal intergovernmental organizations are less respectful of human rights, and the global rise of illiberalism undermines human rights. We conclude with reflections on the importance of the global institutional and normative context for sustaining (and eroding) human rights.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103001

    View details for PubMedID 38763545

  • Global liberalism, emerging illiberalism, and human rights, 1980 to 2018 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH Cole, W. M., Schofer, E., Meyer, J. W. 2024; 120
  • The Social Effects of Entrepreneurship on Society and Some Potential Remedies: Four Provocations JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT INQUIRY Weiss, T., Eberhart, R., Lounsbury, M., Nelson, A., Rindova, V., Meyer, J., Bromley, P., Atkins, R., Ruebottom, T., Jennings, J., Jennings, D., Toubiana, M., Shantz, A., Khorasani, N., Wadhwani, D., Tucker, H., Kirsch, D., Goldfarb, B., Aldrich, H., Aldrich, D. 2023
  • The University: Global Institution and National Organization GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES Frank, D., Meyer, J. W. 2023; 4 (1)
  • Immanuel Wallerstein Personal Reflections JOURNAL OF WORLD-SYSTEMS RESEARCH Meyer, J. W. 2023; 29 (2): 292-294
  • Illiberal Reactions to Higher Education MINERVA Schofer, E., Lerch, J. C., Meyer, J. W. 2022
  • Global Neoliberalism as a Cultural Order and Its Expansive Educational Effects INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Lerch, J. C., Bromley, P., Meyer, J. W. 2021
  • The Societal Consequences of Higher Education SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION Schofer, E., Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W. 2020
  • Interview with John W. Meyer: "If You Study Organizations You Should Not Believe in Them" Interviewed by Elena Gudova JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY-EKONOMICHESKAYA SOTSIOLOGIYA Gudova, E., Meyer, J. W. 2020; 21 (1): 127–39
  • The Pyramid of Nonprofit Responsibility: The Institutionalization of Organizational Responsibility Across Sectors VOLUNTAS Pope, S., Bromley, P., Lim, A., Meyer, J. W. 2018; 29 (6): 1300–1314
  • International Tests, National Assessments, and Educational Development (1970-2012) COMPARATIVE EDUCATION REVIEW Ramirez, F. O., Schofer, E., Meyer, J. W. 2018; 62 (3): 344–64

    View details for DOI 10.1086/698326

    View details for Web of Science ID 000438780000003

  • TOWARD POST-NATIONAL SOCIETIES AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP ROUTLEDGE INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION RESEARCH IN ASIA PACIFIC Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W., Cha, Y. K., Ham, S. H., Lee, M. 2018: 51–65
  • "They Are All Organizations": The Cultural Roots of Blurring Between the Nonprofit, Business, and Government Sectors ADMINISTRATION & SOCIETY Bromley, P., Meyer, J. W. 2017; 49 (7): 939–66
  • Christopher K. Chase-Dunn Circa 1970 JOURNAL OF WORLD-SYSTEMS RESEARCH Meyer, J. W. 2017; 23 (2): 571–73
  • The rise of individual agency in conceptions of society: Textbooks worldwide, 1950-2011 INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY Lerch, J., Bromley, P., Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W. 2017; 32 (1): 38-60
  • Meyer Comment on Downey and Condron SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION Meyer, J. W. 2016; 89 (3): 227-228
  • World Society and the Globalization of Educational Policy HANDBOOK OF GLOBAL EDUCATION POLICY Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W., Lerch, J., Mundy, K., Green, A., Lingard, B., Verger, A. 2016: 43-63
  • Dialogue, Debate, and Discussion MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION REVIEW Valikangas, L., Pope, S., Meyer, J. W. 2015; 11 (2): 173-177
  • The Worldwide Expansion of "Organization" SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY Meyer, J. W., Bromley, P. 2013; 31 (4): 366-389
  • World influences on human rights language in constitutions: A cross-national study INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY Beck, C. J., Drori, G. S., Meyer, J. W. 2012; 27 (4): 483-501
  • Toward Post-National Societies and Global Citizenship MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION REVIEW Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W. 2012; 4 (1): 1–28
  • Student-Centeredness in Social Science Textbooks, 1970-2008: A Cross-National Study SOCIAL FORCES Bromley, P., Meyer, J. W., Ramirez, F. O. 2011; 90 (2): 547-570

    View details for DOI 10.1093/sf/sor004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000300108800010

  • The Worldwide Spread of Environmental Discourse in Social Studies, History, and Civics Textbooks, 1970-2008 COMPARATIVE EDUCATION REVIEW Bromley, P., Meyer, J. W., Ramirez, F. O. 2011; 55 (4): 517-545

    View details for DOI 10.1086/660797

    View details for Web of Science ID 000296057900002

  • Multiple Levels of Analysis and the Limitations of Methodological Individualisms SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY Jepperson, R., Meyer, J. W. 2011; 29 (1): 54-73
  • Institutionalized Organizations: Formal Structure as Myth and Ceremony JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY-EKONOMICHESKAYA SOTSIOLOGIYA Meyer, J., Rowan, B. 2011; 12 (1): 44-+
  • ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS-BRINGING MEANING, VALUES, AND CULTURE BACK IN: INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL RESEARCH FORUM ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL Suddaby, R., Elsbach, K. D., Greenwood, R., Meyer, J. W., Zilber, T. B. 2010; 53 (6): 1234–40
  • Human Rights in Social Science Textbooks: Cross-national Analyses, 1970-2008 SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION Meyer, J. W., Bromley, P., Ramirez, F. O. 2010; 83 (2): 111-134
  • World Society, Institutional Theories, and the Actor ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY, VOL 36 Meyer, J. W. 2010; 36: 1-20
  • Globalization, citizenship, and education: the rise and spread of cosmopolitan, multicultural, and individual empowerment frames REVISTA PERUANA DE INVESTIGACION EDUCATIVA Ramirez, F. O., Meyer, J. W., Wotipka, C. 2009; 1 (1): 163–80
  • Tangled paths to a world culture Contradictory trends in attitudes to globalization INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SURVEY PROGRAMME, 1984-2009: CHARTING THE GLOBE Hadler, M., Meyer, J. W., Haller, M., Jowell, R., Smith, T. W. 2009: 263–76
  • International human rights law and the politics of legitimation - Repressive states and human rights treaties INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY Hafner-Burton, E. M., Tsutsui, K., Meyer, J. W. 2008; 23 (1): 115-141
  • University expansion and the knowledge society THEORY AND SOCIETY Frank, D. J., Meyer, J. W. 2007; 36 (4): 287-311
  • The Worldwide Rise of Human Rights Education SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE IN COMPARATIVE AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Ramirez, F. O., Suarez, D., Meyer, J. W., Benavot, A., Braslavsky, C. 2007; 18: 35–52
  • World Models, National Curricula, and the Centrality of the Individual SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE IN COMPARATIVE AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Meyer, J. W., Benavot, A., Braslavsky, C. 2007; 18: 259–71
  • Student achievement and national economic growth AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION Ramirez, F. O., Luo, X., Schofer, E., Meyer, J. W. 2006; 113 (1): 1-29
  • Sources of rationalized governance: Cross-national longitudinal analyses 1985-2002 ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE QUARTERLY Drori, G. S., Jang, Y. S., Meyer, J. W. 2006; 51 (2): 205-229
  • UNIVERSITY IN EUROPE AND IN THE WORLD: EXPANSION IN THE XX CENTURY REVISTA ESPANOLA DE EDUCACION COMPARADA Meyer, J. W., Schofer, E. 2006: 15–36
  • Scientization: Making a world safe for organizing TRANSNATIONAL GOVERNANCE: INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS OF REGULATION Drori, G. S., Meyer, J. W., Djelic, M. L., SahlinAndersson, K. 2006: 31–52
  • The Impact of Comparative Education Research on Institutional Theory FOREWORD IMPACT OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION RESEARCH ON INSTITUTIONAL THEORY Meyer, J. W., Baker, D. P., Wiseman, A. W. 2006; 7: XI-XVI
  • Reflections on the 25th anniversary of The Social Construction of Reality JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT INQUIRY Meyer, J. W. 2000; 9 (3): 275-275
  • World society and the nation-state AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Meyer, J. W., Boli, J., Thomas, G. M., Ramirez, F. O. 1997; 103 (1): 144-181
  • INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS FOR DIFFUSION WORKSHOP ON NEW INSTITUTIONAL THEORY Strang, D., Meyer, J. W. KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL. 1993: 487–511
  • SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF DECISIONS - COMMENT ACCOUNTING ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY Meyer, J. W. 1990; 15 (1-2): 61-65
  • SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY Meyer, J. W. 1986; 11 (4-5): 345-356
  • SOCIAL-STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF LIFE STAGES HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Kohli, M., Meyer, J. W. 1986; 29 (3): 145-149
  • INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL RATIONALIZATION IN THE MENTAL-HEALTH SYSTEM AMERICAN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST Meyer, J. W. 1985; 28 (5): 587-600
  • THE EXPANSION OF THE STATE ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY THOMAS, G. M., MEYER, J. W. 1984; 10: 461–82
  • ON THE CELEBRATION OF RATIONALITY - SOME COMMENTS ACCOUNTING ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY Meyer, J. W. 1983; 8 (2-3): 235-240
  • POLITICS AND MARKETS - WORLDS POLITICAL-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS - LINDBLOM,CE (Book Review) AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Book Review Authored by: MEYER, J. W. 1979; 85 (3): 684–85

    View details for DOI 10.1086/227065

    View details for Web of Science ID A1979HT67500019

  • IDEOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD AND STATE - RULES DISTINGUISHING CHILDREN IN NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONS, 1870-1970 AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW BOLIBENNETT, J., MEYER, J. W. 1978; 43 (6): 797–812

    View details for DOI 10.2307/2094622

    View details for Web of Science ID A1978GA02500002

  • INSTITUTIONALIZED ORGANIZATIONS - FORMAL-STRUCTURE AS MYTH AND CEREMONY AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Meyer, J. W., Rowan, B. 1977; 83 (2): 340-363
  • EFFECTS OF EDUCATION AS AN INSTITUTION AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Meyer, J. W. 1977; 83 (1): 55-77
  • CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE IN DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY Meyer, J. W., BOLIBENNETT, J., CHASEDUNN, C. 1975; 1: 223-246
  • EFFECT OF A CHILDS SEX ON ADULT INTERPRETATIONS OF ITS BEHAVIOR DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Meyer, J. W., SOBIESZE, B. I. 1972; 6 (1): 42-48
  • STUDIES OF TEAM TEACHING IN OPEN-SPACE SCHOOL INTERCHANGE BRUNETTI, F. A., Cohen, E. G., Meyer, J. W., MOLNAR, S. R. 1972; 3 (2-3): 85-101
  • ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL EFFECTS ON NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ENROLLMENT PATTERNS COMPARATIVE EDUCATION REVIEW Meyer, J. W. 1971; 15 (1): 28-43
  • REINTERPRETATION OF AMERICAN STATUS POLITICS PACIFIC SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW Meyer, J. W., ROTH, J. G. 1970; 13 (2): 95-102
  • TEACHING VERSUS RESEARCH - SOURCES OF MISPERCEPTIONS JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION Hammond, P. E., Meyer, J. W., Miller, D. 1969; 40 (9): 682-690