Jonathan Hanson

Jonathan Hanson is a political scientist and lecturer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, where he also directs the MPP/MPA program. His research bridges democracy, state capacity, and authoritarian regime variations.

• MA in Economics, University of Michigan
• PhD in Political Science, University of Michigan
• BA in Government, Harvard College

Hanson investigates the interplay between political institutions and development outcomes, including ethnic spatial distribution effects on governance. His methodological focus includes state capacity measurement in comparative politics.

Recent publications highlight spatial governance dynamics (2021) and institutional frameworks in electoral authoritarianism (2018). His work spans policy analysis, comparative methodologies, and political economy intersections.