Michael Cohen


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Education

Ph.D. Political Science, Ohio State University, anticipated Winter 2009 

M.A. Political Science, Ohio State University, June 2005                    

            Fields: Comparative Politics, Political Economy, South Asia and Western Europe

            Honors: Graduate Fellow September 2002 to August 2003

B.A. in Political Science and Psychology, Washington University, May 2001

Graduated with Honors

Research and Teaching Interests

-          Regional Parties, Ethno-territorial Cleavages, Federalism

-          Policy Diffusion

-          Political Economy, including Political Economy of Infrastructure

Dissertation

"Behavioral Expectations, Voter Perceptions and Regional Parties"

Abstract: When do regional parties achieve electoral success? Previous explanations for the formation of viable and successful regional parties typically center on structural factors like social cleavages or economic differences or institutions. However often times regional party success ebbs and flows while structural factors remain constant. What explains this variation? Based on a combination of survey data, field research and case studies I analyze the impact perceptions and behavioral expectations have on vote choice for regional parties. Policies, particularly patronage, impact the formation and success of regional parties. However this impact is contingent on if regional parties are able differentiate themselves from national parties.

Committee: (Chair) Marcus Kurtz, Richard Gunther, Irfan Nooruddin, and Craig Volden

Working Papers Under Review

"Behavioral Expectations, Voter Perceptions and Regional Parties: The Puzzle of the Lega Nord"

Conference Presentations

"Behavioral Expectations, Voter Perceptions and Regional Parties"

     Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. Chicago, IL April 2008

“Experimenting With Welfare Reform: Emulating Success, Cutting Costs or Racing to the Bottom?” (with Craig Volden)

            Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association. Chicago, IL April 2006

“Kaliningrad: A ‘Pilot’ Program for Russian-EU Relations” (with Keith Moser)

            Presented at the International Studies Association-Midwest. Saint Louis, MO November           2003

Professional Experience

Teaching

• Instructor/Lecturer Political Science 597.02: Introduction to Political Economy Spring 2008, Winter 2008, Fall 2007, Spring 2006, Fall Summer 2005

• Instructor/Lecturer Political Science 580: State and Markets Summer 2006

• Instructor/Lecturer Political Science 100: Introduction to Comparative Politics Winter 2008, Fall 2006

Other

• Research Assistant at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Summer 2008, Summer 2007

• Visiting Scholar at the Center for the Study of Political Change at the University of Siena in 2007

• Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Game Theory (for Dean Lacy) at Inter-University Consortium on Political and Social Research Summer 2004

• Intern Armada International Mutual Fund Summer 2000

Professional Memberships

American Political Science Association

Midwest Political Science Association

Awards, Grants, and Honors

Travel Grant Ohio State University 2008

Travel Grant Ohio State University 2003

Graduate Fellowship, Ohio State University

National Merit Scholarship Award, Washington University, 1997

Alumni Scholarship Award, Shaker Heights, 1997

Languages

Italian (proficient)

Spanish (reading)