معرفی
Henry Olsen is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he studies and provides commentary on American politics. His work focuses on how America's political order is being upended by populist challenges from both the left and the right, as well as populism's impact in other developed democracies. Previously, he served as an opinion columnist for The Washington Post from 2019-2023 and has held teaching positions at Arizona State University, Villanova University, the Catholic University of America, and the Hillsdale College D.C. Graduate Studies Program.
Mr. Olsen's educational background includes a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as Comment Editor for the University of Chicago Law Review. He also clerked for Judge Danny J. Boggs on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and practiced law at Dechert, Price & Rhoads.
His research interests span American politics, populism, conservative thought, election analysis, and political history, with particular expertise in analyzing political realignments and electoral coalitions. Olsen has developed a reputation for accurate election predictions, with his forecasts for elections from 2008-2018 receiving notable recognition, especially his early identification of factors fueling Donald Trump's rise in 2016. His scholarly approach combines historical analysis with contemporary political commentary, examining how past political transformations inform current challenges.
Olsen's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with critical questions of political coalition-building, constitutional stability, and the evolution of conservative movements across multiple democracies. His recent work shows increasing attention to comparative politics, examining parallel developments in European democracies alongside American political dynamics. He frequently addresses questions of party strategy, voter behavior, and the structural forces shaping political outcomes.
Throughout his career, Olsen has held significant leadership positions at major center-right think tanks:
- Vice President and Director, National Research Initiative, at the American Enterprise Institute (2006-2013)
- Vice President of Programs at the Manhattan Institute
- President of the Commonwealth Foundation
His professional trajectory reflects a consistent focus on bridging academic political analysis with practical political strategy, having previously worked as a political consultant, served with the California State Assembly Republican Caucus, and practiced law before transitioning to full-time political commentary and research.
