David McCourt

David M. McCourt is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on the social sources of state action in international politics, with an empirical focus on the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. He is also deeply engaged with sociological and international theory, particularly constructivist frameworks. McCourt holds a B.A. in Modern History from Trinity College, Oxford, an MPhil in International Relations from Queens' College, Cambridge, and an MRes and Ph.D. in Political Science from the European University Institute in Florence.

His work interrogates how states construct their international roles through practices, identities, and social interactions. Notable contributions include analyzing Britain’s post-war global role, the theoretical evolution of constructivism, and the impact of expert communities on US foreign policy toward China. McCourt’s teaching spans graduate and undergraduate courses in contemporary sociological theory, political sociology, and global social change.

His recent publications highlight shifts in US-China policy dynamics, the historical roots of international institutions (e.g., the Marshall Plan), and the methodological innovations of 'new constructivism.' This body of work underscores the interplay between domestic sociopolitical structures and global strategic behavior.

McCourt’s theoretical contributions have repositioned constructivism as a phronetic social science emphasizing practical reasoning and relational analysis. His interdisciplinary approach bridges historical sociology, policy studies, and international relations, offering fresh perspectives on state behavior in global politics.