Guoli Liu

Guoli Liu serves as Professor of Political Science at the College of Charleston, where he has established a distinguished career spanning comparative politics and international relations with specialized expertise in East Asia, Russia, and the United States. His academic leadership extends to former roles as President of the Association of Chinese Political Studies and Vice President of the South Carolina Political Science Association.

His educational foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo
• M.A. and B.A. in International Politics from Peking University

Liu's research critically examines comparative political systems and international power dynamics, with particular emphasis on governance innovation in transitioning societies and the theoretical-practical dimensions of statecraft. His scholarship investigates how modernization processes intersect with political stability in authoritarian contexts, especially through the lens of Chinese political evolution and its global implications. This work directly informs his extensive teaching portfolio covering Politics of China, Russian Politics, and American Foreign Policy.

Analysis of Liu's publication trajectory (1992-2024) reveals a consistent focus on China's geopolitical ascent, with evolving thematic depth from early structural analyses of state-market relations to contemporary examinations of digital civil society and cross-strait diplomacy. His recent scholarship demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary integration, connecting political economy with security studies and cultural analysis in addressing 21st-century governance challenges.

His scholarly recognition includes:

• Distinguished Faculty Research Award from the College of Charleston

Liu has significantly shaped academic discourse through editorial leadership on pivotal volumes including Chinese Foreign Policy in Transition (with Lowell Dittmer), China’s Deep Reform: Domestic Politics in Transition (with Weixing Chen), and Managing the China Challenge: Global Perspectives (with Bohai Lin), establishing him as a central figure in China-focused political science scholarship.