Andrew Arato

Andrew Arato is the Dorothy Hart Hirshon Professor of Political and Social Theory in the Sociology Department at The New School for Social Research. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1975) and has held prestigious roles including Honorary Professor at the University of Witwatersrand and Distinguished Fulbright Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt. His work focuses on constitutional theory, civil society politics, and comparative constitution-making in divided societies. Arato has advised governments on constitutional transitions, including Hungary (1996–1997), Nepal (2007), and Zimbabwe (2010). His research integrates historical analysis with contemporary challenges, emphasizing democratic legitimacy and post-sovereign governance frameworks.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, University of Chicago, 1975

Key Research Interests:

• Constitutional design in conflict zones (e.g., Iraq, Turkey, Israel)
• Populism’s impact on civil society and democratic institutions
• Historical study of revolutions and legal transitions
• Sociology of law and political theology

Awards & Honors:

• 2010: Honorary Professor, University of Witwatersrand
• 2007–2008: Distinguished Fulbright Professor, Goethe University
• 1991: Fulbright Teaching Grant, Uruguay

Teaching & Grants:

• Recent courses include 'Populism: Left, Right & Center' and 'Classical Sociological Theory'
• Grants include State Department-funded constitutional consultations and international teaching fellowships

Current Projects:

• Developing a new theory of constitutional authority
• Analyzing constitution-making in Turkey, Israel, and post-Soviet states

Labs/Teams:

• Active in global constitutionalism networks, collaborating with institutions like Sciences Po Paris and Central European University