Pearce Edwards

Pearce Edwards is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University (TCU) in the AddRan College of Liberal Arts. A TCU alumnus who earned his BS in Political Science in 2013, he returned to his alma mater after completing his graduate education at Emory University, where he earned his MA (2019) and Ph.D. (2021) in Political Science.

Dr. Edwards' research focuses on authoritarian politics, political violence, and Latin American politics, with particular emphasis on repression and resistance in authoritarian regimes. He investigates how non-state actors like social elites and ordinary citizens affect regime repression, examining how these groups may constrain or enable security institutions' efforts to eliminate popular threats to authoritarian rule. His work applies these theories to Latin American regimes through archival study of Cold War-era dictatorships. He also studies how repression and political violence affects politics and public attitudes across regime types, with attention to accountability measures for past repression and regimes' efforts to build support for repression through framing.

His publication record demonstrates significant scholarly impact, with research appearing in top political science journals including American Political Science Review, British Journal of Political Science, Comparative Political Studies, Comparative Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Peace Research, Journal of Politics, and World Politics. His recent publications reveal consistent contributions to understanding authoritarian resilience, repression strategies, and the long-term effects of authoritarian rule.

• Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University
• Ph.D. and MA in Political Science from Emory University (2021, 2019)
• BS in Political Science from Texas Christian University (2013)
• Specializes in authoritarian politics, political violence, and Latin American politics
• Teaches Introduction to Comparative Politics and Experimental Methods in Political Science

Dr. Edwards' research program represents a significant contribution to the field of comparative politics, particularly in understanding the dynamics of authoritarian rule and resistance. His focus on both historical and contemporary aspects of authoritarian politics provides valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and activists interested in regime dynamics and political change.