About
Andrew G. Walder is the Denise O'Leary and Kent Thiry Professor of the Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Political Science. He is a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and former Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center. His research focuses on political stability, conflict, and transformation in communist regimes, particularly China. Walder holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan (1981) and an A.B. in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University (1975). He has held leadership roles, including Chair of Stanford's Sociology Department and Director of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Division of Social Sciences (1995–1997). His work explores China’s Cultural Revolution, post-Mao economic reforms, and corporate development. Awards include Guggenheim and National Science Foundation fellowships, and he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- Education:
- Ph.D., Sociology, University of Michigan (1981)
- A.B., Political Science, Johns Hopkins University (1975)
Walder’s research investigates China’s political economy, focusing on social stratification, corporate evolution, and the Maoist legacy. His books include Fractured Rebellion (2009), China Under Mao (2015), and Agents of Disorder (2019). He has advised on policy in Hong Kong and contributed to global studies on transitional economies. Currently, his research examines China’s large corporations and post-Mao political trajectories.
His awards include ASA, AAS, and SSH Association prizes for scholarly contributions. He has held visiting roles at the Stanford Center at Peking University and chairs academic panels in Hong Kong. Walder’s interdisciplinary work bridges sociology, political science, and history, emphasizing China’s complex transitions from state socialism to modern capitalism.
