Terry Moe
William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Emeritus
Bio
Terry M. Moe is the William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution.
He has written extensively on the presidency and public bureaucracy, as well as American politics and political institutions more generally. His articles include "The New Economics of Organization," "The Politicized Presidency," "The Politics of Bureaucratic Structure," "Political Institutions: The Neglected Side of the Story," "Presidents, Institutions, and Theory," “The Presidential Power of Unilateral Action” (with William Howell), “Power and Political Institutions,” “Political Control and the Power of the Agent,.” “Vested Interests and Political Institutions,” “Public Sector Unions and the Costs of Government” (with Sarah Anzia), and “Do Politicians Use Policy to Make Politics? The Case of Public Sector Labor Laws” (with Sarah Anzia). His most recent books are Relic: How Our Constitution Undermines Effective Government--And Why We Need a More Powerful Presidency (with William Howell, 2016), and Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy (with William Howell, 2020).
He has also written extensively on the politics of American education. His most recent books are The Politics of Institutional Reform: Katrina, Education, and the Second Face of Power (2019); The Comparative Politics of Education: Teachers Unions and Education Systems Around the World (edited with Susanne Wiborg, 2017); and Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America’s Public Schools (2011). His past work on education includes Politics, Markets, and America's Schools (1990) and Liberating Learning: Technology, Politics, and the Future of American Education (2009), both with John E. Chubb, and Schools, Vouchers, and the American Public (2001).
Administrative Appointments
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Chair, Department of Political Science (2004 - 2007)
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William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science, Stanford University (2003 - Present)
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Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution (1992 - Present)
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Fellow, Center for Advanced Study, Stanford (1992 - 1993)
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Professor, Political Science, Stanford University (1990 - Present)
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Associate Professor, Stanford University (1986 - 1990)
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Associate Professor, Stanford University (1984 - 1986)
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Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution (1984 - 1986)
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Assistant Professor, Stanford University (1981 - 1984)
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Assistant Professor, Michigan State University (1976 - 1981)
Honors & Awards
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Norton Long Career Achievement Award for contributions to the study of urban politics, American Political Science Association (2021)
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Legacy Award for enduring contributions to the study of the presidency and executive politics, American Political Science Association (2020)
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Thomas B. Fordham Prize for Distinguished Scholarship, Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (2005)
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Herbert Simon Award for contributions to the scientific study of bureaucracy, Midwest Public Administration Caucus (of the Midwest Political Science Association) (2001)
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Pi Sigma Alpha Award for best paper at the 1983 American Political Science Association convention, American Political Science Association (1983)
Program Affiliations
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Center for East Asian Studies
Professional Education
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Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Political Science (1976)
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B.A., University of California, San Diego, Economics (1971)
Current Research and Scholarly Interests
The presidency, American political institutions, education politics.
2024-25 Courses
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Independent Studies (2)
- Directed Reading and Research in American Politics
POLISCI 229 (Spr) - Directed Reading and Research in American Politics
POLISCI 329 (Spr)
- Directed Reading and Research in American Politics
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Prior Year Courses
2022-23 Courses
- The Presidency
POLISCI 220R, POLISCI 320R (Aut, Win)
- The Presidency
All Publications
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The strongman presidency and the two logics of presidential power
PRESIDENTIAL STUDIES QUARTERLY
2023
View details for DOI 10.1111/psq.12830
View details for Web of Science ID 000996020700001
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America's Crisis of Democracy
POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY
2021; 136 (1): 105–27
View details for DOI 10.1002/polq.13135
View details for Web of Science ID 000628873900004
- Vested Interests in a Time of Crisis National Affairs 2021: 42-52
- Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy University of Chicago Press. 2020
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Interest Groups on the Inside: The Governance of Public Pension Funds
PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICS
2019; 17 (4): 1059–78
View details for DOI 10.1017/S1537592718003468
View details for Web of Science ID 000512647700009
- The Politics of Institutional Reform: Katrina, Education, and the Second Face of Power Cambridge University Press. 2019
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Polarization and Policy: The Politics of Public-Sector Pensions
LEGISLATIVE STUDIES QUARTERLY
2017; 42 (1): 33-62
View details for DOI 10.1111/lsq.12145
View details for Web of Science ID 000397262600002
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Do Politicians Use Policy to Make Politics? The Case of Public-Sector Labor Laws
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
2016; 110 (4): 763-777
View details for DOI 10.1017/S00030554t6000484
View details for Web of Science ID 000392739900009
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Vested Interests and Political Institutions
POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY
2015; 130 (2): 277-318
View details for DOI 10.1002/polq.12321
View details for Web of Science ID 000356450200004
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Public Sector Unions and the Costs of Government
JOURNAL OF POLITICS
2015; 77 (1): 114-127
View details for DOI 10.1086/678311
View details for Web of Science ID 000350337600014
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Focusing on Fundamentals: A Reply to Koski and Horng
EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS
2014; 36 (1): 120-123
View details for Web of Science ID 000332526400007
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Collective Bargaining, Transfer Rights, and Disadvantaged Schools
EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS
2014; 36 (1): 83-111
View details for Web of Science ID 000332526400005
- Moving to the Institutional Center The Futures of School Reform edited by Mehta, J., Schwartz, R., Hess, F. M. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press. 2013
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Delegation, Control, and the Study of Public Bureaucracy
FORUM-A JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN CONTEMPORARY POLITICS
2012; 10 (2)
View details for DOI 10.1515/1540-8884.1508
View details for Web of Science ID 000310694400005
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Teachers Unions and American Education Reform: The Politics of Blocking
FORUM-A JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN CONTEMPORARY POLITICS
2012; 10 (1)
View details for DOI 10.1515/1540-8884.1494
View details for Web of Science ID 000304763600005
- Delegation, Control, and the Study of Public Bureaucracy Handbook of Organizational Economics edited by Gibbons, R., Roberts, J. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. 2012
- Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America’s Public Schools Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 2011
- Government, Markets, and the Mixed Model of American Education Reform Education Week 2011
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The Revolution in Presidential Studies
PRESIDENTIAL STUDIES QUARTERLY
2009; 39 (4): 701-724
View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2009.03701.x
View details for Web of Science ID 000210633100003
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Collective Bargaining and The Performance of the Public Schools
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
2009; 53 (1): 156-174
View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1540-5907.2008.00363.x
View details for Web of Science ID 000261974300010
- Virtual Schools: Will Education Technology Change the Nature of Learning? Education Next 2009
- The Presidency and the Bureaucracy: The Levers of Presidential Control The Presidency and the Political System edited by Nelson, M. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press. 2009; 8th
- Liberating Learning: Technology, Politics, and the Future of American Education San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 2009
- The Revolution in Presidential Studies Presidential Studies Quarterly 2009; 39 (3)
- Beyond the Free Market: The Structure of School Choice Brigham Young University Law Review 2008; 2008 (1): 557-592
- The New Economics of Organization A Selected Collection of Transaction Cost Politics edited by Ma, J., Xiao, B., Liu, Y. 2007
- The Positive Theory of Public Bureaucracy Lectures on the State and Public Policies edited by Acuna, C. 2007
- Putting Children First: The Problem of Teacher Power Journal of Educational Change 2007; 8 (1)
- The Institutional Foundations of Democratic Government: A Comparison of Presidential and Parliamentary Systems Economics of Administrative Law edited by Ackerman, S. R. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. 2007
- The Presidential Power of Unilateral Action Public Choice and Public Law edited by Farber, D. A. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar. 2007
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Political control and the power of the agent
JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION
2006; 22 (1): 1-29
View details for DOI 10.1093/jleo/ewj011
View details for Web of Science ID 000235287100001
- Union Power and the Education of Children Collective Bargaining in Education: Negotiating Change in Today’s Schools edited by Hannaway, J., Rotherham, A. Monograph by Hoover Press, Stanford, CA. 2006
- A Union By Any Other Name Choice and Competition in American Education edited by Peterson, P. E. New York: Rowman and Littlefield. 2006
- Thriving on Failure Stanford Magazine 2006
- Union Power and the Education of Children Collective Bargaining in Education: Negotiating Change in Today’s Schools edited by Hannaway, J., Rotherham, A. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press. 2006
- Power and Political Institutions Rethinking Political Institutions: The Art of the State edited by Shapiro, I., Skowronek, S., Galvin, D. New York: New York University Press. 2006
- The Union Label on the Ballot Box Education Next 2006; 6 (3): 58-66
- Power and Political Institutions Perspectives on Politics 2005; 3 (2): 215- 33
- A High Quality Teacher in Every Classroom Within Our Reach edited by Chubb, J. E. New York?: Rowman and Littlefield. 2005
- Teachers Unions and School Board Elections Beseiged: School Boards and the Future of Education Politics edited by Howell, W. G. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution. 2005
- Presidential Power and the Power of Theory The Evolution of Political Knowledge: Theory and Inquiry in American Politics edited by Mansfield, E., Sisson, R. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University Press. 2004
- Beyond Zelman: An Essay on the Future of Vouchers The Future of School Choice edited by Peterson, P. E. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 2003
- Reform Blockers Education Next 2003; 3 (2)
- The Politics of the Status Quo Our Schools and Our Future: Are We Still at Risk? edited by Peterson, P. E. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 2003
- Politics, Control, and the Future of School Accountability Leave No Child Behind? The Politics and Practices of School Accountability edited by Peterson, P. E., West, M. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution. 2003
- Cooking the Questions? Education Next 2002; 2 (1): 71-77
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Cynicism and political theory
CORNELL LAW REVIEW
2002; 87 (2): 362-374
View details for Web of Science ID 000173813200004
- The Structure of School Choice Choice with Equity edited by Hill, P. T. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 2002
- Dodging the Questions Education Next 2002; 2 (3): 77-81
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Recycling the garbage can: An assessment of the research program
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
2001; 95 (1): 169-190
View details for Web of Science ID 000167634000012
- Schools, Vouchers, and the American Public Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 2001
- The Future of School Choice An Education Agenda: Let Parents Choose Their Children’s School edited by Goodman, J. C., Steiger, F. F. 2001
- Bureaucrats, Legislators, and the Size of Government The Economics of Politics edited by Mueller, D. C. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar. 2001
- A Primer on America’s Schools edited by Moe, T. M. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 2001
- Hidden Demand Education Matters 2001; 1 (1): 48- 56
- Teachers Unions and the Public Schools A Primer on America’s Schools edited by Moe, T. M. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 2001
- Going Private Charters, Vouchers, and Public Education edited by Peterson, P. E., Campbell, D. E. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution. 2001
- A Union By Any Other Name Education Next 2001: 40–45
- Private Vouchers: Politics and Evidence School Choice or Best Systems: What Improves Education? edited by Wang, M. C., Walberg, H. J. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. 2001
- Pay Attention to the Framing of the Question Education Week 2000
- Teachers Unions and the Prospects for Better Schools The Weekly Standard 2000
- The Presidency and the Bureaucracy: The Presidential Advantage The Presidency and the Political System edited by Nelson, M. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press. 2000; 6th
- The Two Democratic Purposes of Public Education Rediscovering the Democratic Purposes of Education edited by McDonnell, L. M., Timpane, P. M., Benjamin, R. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press. 2000
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The presidential power of unilateral action
JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION
1999; 15 (1): 132-179
View details for Web of Science ID 000080563400009
- Unilateral Action and Presidential Power: A Theory Presidential Studies Quarterly 1999; 29 (4)
- The Presidency and the Bureaucracy: The Presidential Advantage The Presidency and the Political System edited by Nelson, M. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press. 1998; 5th
- An Assessment of the Positive Theory of 'Congressional Dominance' The Foundations of Regulatory Economics edited by Ekelund, R. B. Chiltenham, England: Edward Elgar. 1998
- The Positive Theory of Public Bureaucracy La Nueva Economia Politica edited by Saiegh, S., Tommasi, M. 1998
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Democracy and the challenge of education reform
1997 University-of-Arizona/FINOVA Forum on Critical Social and Technological Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Midsize Firms
JAI PRESS INC. 1997: 9–46
View details for Web of Science ID 000071008600002
- Politics, Markets, and the Organization of Schools Education, Culture, Economy, and Society edited by Lauder, H., Brown, P., Wells, A. S. New York: Oxford University Press. 1997
- Theory and the Future of Presidential Studies Presidential Research Newsletter 1997
- The Positive Theory of Public Bureaucracy Handbook of Public Choice edited by Mueller, D. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. 1997
- Politics, Markets, and Equality in Schools Reducing Poverty in America: Views and Approaches edited by Darby, M. R. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 1997
- Computer Models of Educational Institutions: The Case of Vouchers and Social Equity Journal of Educational Policy 1996
- Computer Models of Educational Institutions: The Case of Vouchers and Social Equity The Politics of Education and the New Institutionalism edited by Boyd, W. L., Crowson, R. L., Mawhinney, H. B. London: Falmer Press. 1996
- School Choice and the Creaming Problem Midwest Approaches to School Reform edited by Downs, T. A., Testa, W. A. 1995
- Private Vouchers Private Vouchers edited by Moe, T. M. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 1995
- Private Vouchers edited by Moe, T. M. Stanford, CA: Hoover Press. 1995
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THE INSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT - A COMPARISON OF PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS
11th International Seminar on the New Institutional Economics
J C B MOHR. 1994: 171–95
View details for Web of Science ID A1994NC58200022
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PRESIDENTS AND THE POLITICS OF STRUCTURE
LAW AND CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS
1994; 57 (1-2): A1-A44
View details for Web of Science ID A1994NL48900011
- School Choice: Will State-Supported Educational Alternatives Help or Hinder Private Schools? Journal of Research on Christian Education 1994; 3 (2)
- The Presidency and the Bureaucracy: The Presidential Advantage The Presidency and the Political System edited by Nelson, M. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press. 1994; 4th
- Integrating Politics and Organization: Positive Theory and Public Administration Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 1994
- Political Institutions: The Neglected Side of the Story Public Choice Theory edited by Rowley, C. K. Hant, England: Edward Elgar. 1993
- The British Battle for Choice Voices on Choice edited by Billingsley, K. L. 1993
- The Forest and the Trees: A Response to Our Critics School Choice: What Role in American Education? edited by Rosell, E., Rothstein, R. 1993
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PRESIDENTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND THEORY
CONF ON RESEARCHING THE PRESIDENCY : VITAL QUESTIONS, NEW APPROACHES
UNIV PITTSBURGH PRESS. 1993: 337–385
View details for Web of Science ID A1993BY65Q00009
- An Assessment of the Positive Theory of 'Congressional Dominance' Public Choice Theory edited by Rowley, C. K. Hants, England: Edward Elgar. 1993
- The Politics of Structural Choice: Toward a Theory of Public Bureaucracy Public Choice Theory edited by Rowley, C. K. Hants, England: Edward Elgar. 1993
- Why Markets Are Good for Education Independent Schools, Independent Thinkers edited by Kane, P. R. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 1992
- Bureaucrats, Legislators, and the Size of Government The State and Its Critics edited by Levine, A. Hants, England: Edward Elgar. 1992
- Bureaucracy and Subgovernments: A Simulation Model Artificial Intelligence in Organization and Management Theory edited by Masuch, M., Warglieu, M. 1992
- A Lesson in School Reform from Great Britain Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 1992
- Give Choice a Chance Making Government Work edited by Lezar, T. 1992
- Private versus Public, Research versus Rhetoric Education Week 1992
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POLITICAL POLLYANNAS
TEACHERS COLLEGE RECORD
1991; 93 (1): 161-165
View details for Web of Science ID A1991GK61200010
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POLITICS AND THE THEORY OF ORGANIZATION
JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION
1991; 7: 106-129
View details for Web of Science ID A1991GY22000006
- Choice in Education: Incentives for Reform The Senior Economist 1991; 7: 3-5
- The Politicized Presidency The Managerial Presidency edited by Pfiffner, J. P. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole. 1991
- Give Choice a Chance Liberating Schools: Education in the Inner City edited by Boaz, D. 1991
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SHOULD MARKET FORCES CONTROL EDUCATIONAL DECISION-MAKING
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1990; 84 (2): 549-567
View details for Web of Science ID A1990DL49800011
- An Open Market Proposal for America's Schools The Washington Post Education Review 1990: 19-20
- America's Public Schools: Choice Is a Panacea The Brookings Review 1990: 1-8
- Politics, Markets, and America's Schools Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 1990
- Letting Schools Work NY: The City Journal 1990; 1 (1): 41-53
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THE POLITICS OF STRUCTURAL CHOICE - TOWARD A THEORY OF PUBLIC BUREAUCRACY
SEMINAR ON ORGANIZATION THEORY : FROM CHESTER BARNARD TO THE PRESENT AND BEYOND
OXFORD UNIV PRESS. 1990: 116–153
View details for Web of Science ID A1990BT12P00007
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POLITICAL-INSTITUTIONS - THE NEGLECTED SIDE OF THE STORY
JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION
1990; 6: 213-253
View details for Web of Science ID A1990FF63800012
- The Politics of Bureaucratic Structure Can the Government Govern? edited by Chubb, J. E., Peterson, P. E. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 1989: 267–329
- Give Choice a Chance Florida Policy Review 1989; 5 (4): 17-24
- The New Economics of Organization Problemi Di Amministrazione Pubblica 1989
- Effective Schools and Equal Opportunity Public Values, Private Schools edited by Devins, N. London: The Falmer Press. 1989
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POLITICS, MARKETS, AND THE ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1988; 82 (4): 1065-1087
View details for Web of Science ID A1988R650100001
- Public, Private, and Effective Schools: An Organizational Perspective Private Schools and Public Concerns edited by Bauch, P. Greenwood Press. 1988
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE POSITIVE THEORY OF CONGRESSIONAL DOMINANCE
LEGISLATIVE STUDIES QUARTERLY
1987; 12 (4): 475-520
View details for Web of Science ID A1987L188900001
- Interests, Institutions, and Positive Theory: The Politics of the NLRB Studies in American Political Development 1987; 2: 236-299
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AGENDA CONTROL, COMMITTEE CAPTURE, AND THE DYNAMICS OF INSTITUTIONAL POLITICS
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1986; 80 (4): 1187-1207
View details for Web of Science ID A1986F589100006
- No School Is an Island The Brookings Review 1986; 4: 21-28
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CONTROL AND FEEDBACK IN ECONOMIC-REGULATION - THE CASE OF THE NLRB
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1985; 79 (4): 1094-1116
View details for Web of Science ID A1985AXU9800010
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AN ADAPTIVE MODEL OF BUREAUCRATIC POLITICS
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1985; 79 (3): 755-774
View details for Web of Science ID A1985ASD6300009
- The Positive Theory of Hierarchies Political Science: The Science of Politics edited by Weisberg, H. F. Agathon Press. 1985
- The Politicized Presidency The New Direction in American Politics edited by Chubb, J. E., Peterson, P. E. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution. 1985
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THE NEW ECONOMICS OF ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
1984; 28 (4): 739-777
View details for Web of Science ID A1984TU37400008
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BUREAUCRATS, LEGISLATORS, AND THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW
1983; 77 (2): 297-322
View details for Web of Science ID A1983QW75700002
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REGULATORY PERFORMANCE AND PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
1982; 26 (2): 197-224
View details for Web of Science ID A1982NV28800001
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TOWARD A BROADER VIEW OF INTEREST-GROUPS
JOURNAL OF POLITICS
1981; 43 (2): 531-543
View details for Web of Science ID A1981LR53000015
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A CALCULUS OF GROUP MEMBERSHIP
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
1980; 24 (4): 593-632
View details for Web of Science ID A1980KS02800002
- The Organization of Interests Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1980
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SCIENTIFIC STATUS OF RATIONAL MODELS
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
1979; 23 (1): 215-243
View details for Web of Science ID A1979GP96700013