Thomas Kestler

Prof. Dr. Thomas Kestler holds the Chair of Comparative Politics and German Government at the Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg. His academic career focuses on comparative politics, political theory, and Latin American studies. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Human Sciences and leads research in areas such as political institutions, populism, and democracy.

Research interests include the dynamics of political ideas, institutional development, and social movements. He has directed studies on right-wing populism in Latin America, the institutionalization of political parties, and democratic erosion in countries like Venezuela and Brazil. His work combines quantitative and qualitative methods, emphasizing the motivational power of ideas in governance and collective action.

Teaching responsibilities include seminars on comparative politics, Latin American governance, and political theory. He supervises final theses through the 'Seminar for the Preparation of Final Theses' and maintains active participation in research groups such as the Center for Electoral and Public Opinion Research. Consultation hours are regularly scheduled for students and researchers.

Key contributions span over 20 years, with notable works analyzing Bolsonaro's government in Brazil, Venezuela's democratic decline, and the theoretical foundations of new political parties in South America. His interdisciplinary approach bridges political science with sociological and historical methodologies.