Mattias Polborn

Mattias Polborn is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Vanderbilt University and holds the distinguished position of Distinguished CESifo Affiliate within the CESifo Research Network. His academic career centers on the intersection of political processes and economic policy design.

Professor Polborn's research spans three interconnected domains:

• Political Economy: Analyzing electoral competition, candidate positioning, and voter behavior through game-theoretic models
• Public Economics: Investigating tax policy, social insurance design, and the political economy of redistribution
• Industrial Organisation: Examining market structures, externalities, and strategic firm behavior

His methodological approach combines theoretical modeling with empirical analysis, particularly evident in structural studies of U.S. presidential elections and policy polarization. Recent work addresses pressing societal challenges including electoral gerrymandering, property rights institutions in developing economies, and the impact of media bias on democratic processes.

Professor Polborn's scientific contributions are recognized through his Distinguished CESifo Affiliate status and extensive publication record in top economics venues. His research provides critical insights for policymakers addressing inequality, electoral reform, and institutional design in contemporary democracies.

As a Vanderbilt faculty member, Professor Polborn actively supervises graduate students and maintains strong international collaborations through CESifo. His research program demonstrates sustained productivity across four decades, with working papers spanning from 1998 to 2020, reflecting continuous engagement with evolving political-economic challenges.