Political scientist Noah Nathan’s new book, “The Scarce State,” explores the deep impact government can have even when it is seemingly absent.

President Sally Kornbluth talks with Associate Professor Mai Hassan about public administration in Africa and how people mobilize against repressive regimes.

In Kenya, property rights are granted more often by democratic regimes than by autocrats — but decisions tend to be politically motivated regardless of who’s in charge.

Associate Professor Mai Hassan documents bureaucratic systems in Eastern Africa set up for coercion, as well as roadblocks to democratic government.

MIT PhD candidate Jacob Jaffe uses data science to identify and solve problems in election administration.

Dissatisfied with security guarantees from the US, America’s junior allies want greater control over their own defenses.

International firms sharing production networks lobby together to secure favorable trade conditions.

John David Minnich seeks to understand how trade policies fueled China’s rise and continue to determine geopolitical winners and losers.

Research shows that in Hungary, debt drove voters to the right, as part of a consequential shift.

Study suggests sectarian identity in the region is tied to domestic matters, not a larger, transnational religious split.