Dr. Stephen Skowronek

Biography

Stephen Skowronek is the Pelatiah Perit Professor of Political Science at Yale University. In 2019, he served as the Wynant Visiting Professor at the Rothermere American Institute, Balliol College, Oxford. He is a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and held the Chair in American Civilization at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris. His recent book is 'The Adaptability Paradox: Political Inclusion and Constitutional Resilience' (2025). His publications include 'Phantoms of the Beleaguered Republic: The Deep State and the Unitary Executive' (co-authored with John Dearborn and Desmond King) and 'The Policy State: A American Predicament' (with Karen Orren). His research primarily concerns American national institutions and American political development, with publications such as 'Building a New American State: The Expansion of National Administrative Capacities, 1877-1920' (1982) and 'Search for American Political Development' (2004, co-authored with Karen Orren). Skowronek is also a co-founder of the journal 'Studies in American Political Development' and served as editor from 1986 to 2007, contributing to thematic content for the PBS miniseries 'American President' produced by Kunhardt Productions.

Research Interests