PhD in Political Economics in Stanford United States | Stanford University

The field of political economics explores how individuals and groups engage in collective political actions. Our PhD Program equips students for academic careers through intensive training in both theoretical frameworks and empirical methods. Grounded in positive political economy, the curriculum covers rational choice models, collective decision-making, institutional analysis, electoral competition, and behavioral approaches. Theoretical advancements frequently incorporate empirical validation, with emphasis on establishing causal relationships. Participants engage in research from the outset, initiating independent projects in their first year and completing summer research papers after years one and two. Designed for customization, the program encourages students to align their studies with personal academic interests. Its intentionally small size fosters strong mentorship between faculty and doctoral candidates.