Elster Jon

Jon Elster is the Robert K. Merton Professor of Social Science at Columbia University since 1995 and Research Director at the Institute for Social Research, Oslo since 1984. Previously, he held positions at the University of Chicago (1984–1995), University of Oslo, and multiple visiting roles at institutions like Stanford University and UC Berkeley. He specializes in rational choice theory, philosophy of social science, and political philosophy.

Education:

• Mag.art. (philosophy), University of Oslo (1966)
• Docteur ès lettres et sciences sociales, University of Paris V (1972)

Research Interests: Elster's work bridges philosophy, political science, and sociology, focusing on rationality, justice, Marxism, and behavioral economics. Notable projects include studies on local justice, post-communist constitutional politics, and addiction. His interdisciplinary approach emphasizes microfoundations in social phenomena.

Awards:

• Doctor Honoris Causa from University of Valencia (1995) and Stockholm University (1998)
• John von Neumann Award (2002)
• Member of multiple prestigious academies including the Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Academia Europaea

Advising & Grants: Directed major research initiatives on topics like transitional justice, civil war microfoundations, and post-WWII war trials. Collaborated with global institutions including the Russell Sage Foundation and Volkswagen Stiftung.

Labs/Teams: Co-founded the Center for Ethics, Rationality and Society (University of Chicago) and the Center for the Study of Constitutionalism in Eastern Europe. Active in international projects on local justice and constitutional politics.