Deborah Norden

Deborah Norden is a Professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Science, Whittier University. Her academic focus centers on Latin American politics, particularly civil-military relations and democratization processes in Argentina and Venezuela. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Norden’s research explores topics such as military rebellions, authoritarian transitions, and the role of international actors in promoting democracy. She authored Military Rebellion in Argentina: Between Coups and Consolidation (1996) and co-authored Argentina and the United States: Changing Relations in a Changing World (2002). Her recent work examines irregular transfers of power in Latin America and democracy promotion strategies by international bodies.

She has received grants from institutions including the American Political Science Association (APSA), Stanford University, and the Center for Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley. Norden served as Acting Central America Country Director in the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inter-American Affairs (1997) and holds a fellowship from Women in International Security. She is affiliated with the APSA, Latin American Studies Association, and the International Studies Association.

Norden’s publications span journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes, with a focus on Venezuela’s political-military dynamics, Argentine democratization, and comparative civil-military studies. Her research bridges historical analysis and contemporary policy implications in Latin America.