Max Smith

Max Smith is an Earl S. Johnson Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the MAPSS program. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame and a BA in Political Science from the University of Chicago. His research focuses on the history of political thought and contemporary democratic theory, particularly civil conflict, disagreement, and dissension.

• Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Notre Dame (Year unspecified)
• B.A. in Political Science, University of Chicago (Year unspecified)

Dr. Smith’s research explores the conceptualization of civil conflict through a multidisciplinary lens, integrating insights from History, Political Science, Psychology, and Social Sciences. His work addresses intersections with race, class, gender, political parties, and civil violence. His current book project reinterprets Machiavelli’s theories to analyze modern political conflicts where consensus is elusive.

Recent publications reflect his engagement with Machiavelli’s contributions to civil conflict theory and historical analyses of moral-political tensions in figures like Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. His interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical and empirical studies.

No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned. Dr. Smith advises no listed students and has no lab affiliations detailed in the provided text.