About
Gerard Alexander is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. He is actively engaged in research on democratic consolidation, regime stability, and welfare state reform, with a regional focus on Western Europe and the United States.
His research interests center on the conditions under which right-of-center political movements commit to democratic governance. He explores how left-wing policy moderation reduces political risks for conservatives, thereby promoting long-term democratic consolidation. Additional work investigates the limitations of formal political institutions in ensuring democratic predictability and emphasizes the importance of non-formal social-structural factors in shaping regime outcomes. His current research extends into the size and role of government and conservative reform efforts in welfare states.
The published works referenced in his biography reflect a consistent trajectory in comparative political theory, focusing on institutional and ideological dynamics in advanced democracies. His publications appear in leading journals such as Journal of Theoretical Politics, Comparative Political Studies, and The National Interest.
Gerard Alexander has authored the book The Sources of Democratic Consolidation (Cornell University Press, 2002), which presents a comparative analysis of democratic regime outcomes in Europe’s five largest countries from the 1870s in France to the 1980s in Spain. While no scientific awards or student advisement details are mentioned, his scholarly contributions indicate sustained engagement with core questions in political science.
He maintains an office in S265 Gibson Hall and is available during scheduled office hours. His contact email is galexander@virginia.edu.
