Dr. Leonard Wantchekon

Biography

Leonard Wantchekon is the James Madison Professor of Political Economy at Princeton University, where he contributes significantly to the fields of Political Economy, Economic History, and Development Economics. He is known for his pioneering studies on political institutions and governance, employing field experiments to analyze the effects of policy messages and campaign strategies on voting behavior and election outcomes. His notable works include 'Paradox of Warlord Democracy', which philosophically examines the conditions under which liberal democracies emerge from civil conflicts, and 'Slave Trade Origins of Mistrust in Africa', shedding light on the long-term impacts of historical events on cultural economics. Wantchekon's research also focuses on education as a driver of social mobility, utilizing historical micro-data from Benin's regional schools. Additionally, he reflects on his experiences as a pro-democracy activist during a repressive regime in Benin, which is documented in his autobiography, 'Rêver-a-Contre Courant'. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served on the Executive Committee of the International Economic Association. Wantchekon founded the African School of Economics in 2014, located in Benin, and previously held academic positions at New York University and Yale University, where he earned his PhD in Economics from Northwestern University.

Research Interests

Experience