Daniel H. Nexon

Daniel H. Nexon is a Professor at Georgetown University with a joint appointment in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government. His research focuses on international-relations theory, power politics, empires, hegemony, and international order, particularly the dynamics of international hierarchy. He co-authored influential works on relational approaches to world politics with Patrick Thaddeus Jackson.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Columbia University
• M.A. in Political Science, Columbia University

Research Interests: Nexon explores themes such as the evolution of international governance systems, the unraveling of U.S. global influence, and the historical legacies of empires. His work bridges theoretical scholarship with policy analysis, including contributions to Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The Atlantic. He has held fellowships at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation and Ohio State University’s Mershon Center for International Studies.

Awards: His first book, The Struggle for Power in Early Modern Europe, received the ISSS Best Book Award in 2010. He co-edited Exit from Hegemony (2020) and Harry Potter and International Relations (2006).

Engagement: Nexon co-hosts the Whiskey and International Relations Theory podcast and contributes to blogs like Lawyers, Guns and Money. He previously advised the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and remains active in progressive foreign policy discourse. From 2014–2018, he served as lead editor of International Studies Quarterly.

Social Media: Active on Bluesky (@dhnexon.bsky.social), focusing on academic and policy discussions.