Expertise

Comparative Politics, Political Parties, Elections, Electoral Rules, Clientelism, India

Biography

Adam Ziegfeld (Ph.D., MIT, 2009) is an Assistant Professor of Political Science. His research focuses on political parties and elections in the developing world, particularly India. His book, Why Regional Parties? Clientelism, Elites, and the Indian Party System was published in 2016 by Cambridge University Press. His other published work examines a range of topics related to electoral politics, including voter turnout, electoral rules, dominant political parties, and dynastic politics. He is currently working on a new book on election alliances in India that explores why and when political parties sometimes decide to cooperate with one another and field joint candidates in elections. In the course of his research, Professor Ziegfeld has conducted extensive fieldwork across a number of states in India.

Curriculum Vitae

Website

Selected Publications

  • Ziegfeld, Adam. 2016. Why Regional Parties? Clientelism, Elites, and the Indian Party System. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Heath, Oliver and Adam Ziegfeld. Forthcoming. “Electoral Volatility and Turnout: Party Entry and Exit in Indian National Elections.” Journal of Politics.
  • Ziegfeld, Adam and Maya Tudor. 2017. “How Opposition Parties Sustain Single-Party Dominance: Lessons from India.” Party Politics 23 (3): 262-273.
  • Ziegfeld, Adam. 2013. “Are Higher-Magnitude Electoral Districts Always Better for Small Parties?” Electoral Studies 32 (1): 63-77.
  • Ziegfeld, Adam. 2012. “Coalition Government and Party System Change: Explaining the Rise of Regional Political Parties in India.” Comparative Politics 45 (1): 69-87.

Courses Taught

  • POLS 1201: Foreign Governments and Politics
  • POLS 3996/4996: Democracy in India