Michael Albertus

Michael Albertus is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, focusing on how land ownership shapes societal inequality, political power, and development. His research spans democracy, dictatorship, conflict, and property rights, with a regional emphasis on the Americas.

• Books: Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies (2025, Basic Books) explores land’s role in racial hierarchy, gender divides, and environmental degradation. Other works include Property Without Rights and Authoritarianism and the Elite Origins of Democracy, both award-winning studies.
• Research Trends: His articles and collaborations analyze land as a driver of social change, intergroup dynamics in post-authoritarian societies, and policy impacts on indigenous communities.
• Scientific Awards:
  • Autocracy and Redistribution and Property Without Rights both received multiple book awards.
• Public Engagement: Regular podcast guest and Substack writer, addressing topics like U.S. land policies, global inequality, and political resilience.