J. Stephen Ferris

J. Stephen Ferris is a Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton University's Department of Economics, part of the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs. He holds degrees in Business (B.Com., Toronto), Economics (M.A., Toronto), and a Ph.D. in Economics from UCLA. His research focuses on the intersection of economic and political processes, particularly government size, fiscal policy, and electoral competition, with a strong emphasis on long-term historical analysis in Canada and comparative studies in India and New Zealand.

Expertise areas include the interaction between political competition and public finance, the effectiveness of party systems, and the impact of government size on economic performance. Key research themes involve analyzing how electoral dynamics influence fiscal policies and institutional outcomes, with notable contributions to understanding the political economy of Canada and Indian states.

Publications span topics such as electoral volatility, voter turnout determinants, and the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth. His work frequently employs quantitative methods to explore historical data (e.g., Canadian parliamentary systems since 1867, Indian state elections since 1957) and emphasizes policy-relevant insights. Ferris has collaborated extensively with scholars like Marcel-Cristian Voia and Bharatee Dash on cross-country comparisons and institutional frameworks.

While no specific grants or awards are listed, his sustained scholarly output reflects a career dedicated to advancing political economy theory and empirical analysis. His research bridges macroeconomic and microeconomic coordination challenges, offering critical perspectives on governance structures and their economic implications.