Michael Wilkinson

Michael Wilkinson is a Professor of Law at the LSE Law School. His research focuses on constitutional law, European Union law, and political theory, particularly exploring themes like authoritarian liberalism and the transformation of modern Europe. He holds a PhD from the European University Institute and has taught at institutions such as Cornell University and Keio University. His notable work includes the book Authoritarian Liberalism and the Transformation of Modern Europe, analyzing the interplay of economic liberalism and political authoritarianism in European integration. His academic contributions span constitutional crises, EU policy, and the critique of postwar European legal frameworks.

Education: BA from University College London, advanced studies at the College of Europe, and a PhD from the European University Institute. Prior to LSE, he was a lecturer at Manchester University, a Fulbright Research Fellow at Columbia and NYU, and called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn). He has held visiting professorships at Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II), National University of Singapore, and Keio University.

Research interests include the constitutional history of Europe, the role of law in economic crises, and the tensions between democratic principles and authoritarian tendencies in EU governance. His recent work examines the rise of authoritarian populism in Poland and Hungary and its compatibility with existing European legal frameworks.

Publications highlight his engagement with legal philosophy, political economy, and institutional critiques, with a focus on how constitutional structures constrain or enable democratic processes. His interdisciplinary approach combines legal analysis with historical and political contexts, addressing contemporary challenges such as the Eurozone crisis and the erosion of rule of law in member states.