Mark Kayser

Mark Kayser is a Professor of Applied Methods and Comparative Politics at the Hertie School in Berlin. His research focuses on the economic foundations of democracy, including political accountability, electoral competition's impact on policy, and how economic factors influence voter preferences. Previously, he held roles as an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester, a Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellow at Nuffield College (Oxford), and a fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences.

His work includes co-authoring a book on electoral systems and price levels (Cambridge University Press, 2011) and publishing in journals such as the American Political Science Review and International Organization. He currently serves on advisory and editorial boards, emphasizing his commitment to academic and policy engagement.

Key research themes include electoral competitiveness, democratic accountability, and the interplay between economic conditions and political decision-making. His recent studies analyze voter expectations in mixed electoral systems, media effects on economic perceptions, and coalition formation strategies in parliamentary systems.