vlog

Gavel and scales of justice on a green-felted desk in front of bookshelves.
Feature: How U.S. Courts Privilege Conservative Policy Outcomes

Maya Sen assesses the institutional and compositional features of U.S. federal courts that tend to bias them toward conservative policy outcomes.

Map of the united states with a pin in the midwest.
Feature: The U.S. Place-Based Policy Supply Chain

Dani Rodrik and Gordon Hanson document how vertical policy supply chains distribute resources from federal and state governments to recipients at the local level.

Political leader speaks into a microphone at a podium with an advisor standing behind her.
Feature: How Does Shaming Human Rights Violators Abroad Shape Attitudes at Home?

Lotem Bassan-Nygate theorizes that by shaming human rights violators abroad, governments can improve their image at home but may encourage tolerance toward certain domestic violations.

Two people sit at a desk in front of a laptop with rows of filing cabinets behind them.
Feature: Thinking (about Peace Science) in Time

Erica Chenoweth speaks to colleagues in the peace science community, reflecting on the world events that have shaped their scholarship and how researchers might think about the current geopolitical moment.

Harvard Kennedy School faculty disseminate their research in working publications and papers that contribute to public knowledge and fuel policy innovation. This list features recent faculty publications, including journal articles, books, edited volumes, research papers, and public testimony.

Faculty Publications

Honoring Robert D. Putnam

Putnam, Robert D. et al. "Honoring Robert D. Putnam." Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 76.4 (Summer 2023): 28-36.

Bowling Alone: Thinking About Social Change in America

Putnam, Robert D. "Bowling Alone: Thinking About Social Change in America." The Nature of the Nonprofit Sector. Ed. J. Steven Ott and Lisa A. Dicke. Routledge, May 2021.

America's Past Has Shown the Power of 'We.' Here's How We Can Revive It

Putnam, Robert D., and Shaylyn Romney Garrett. "America's Past Has Shown the Power of 'We.' Here's How We Can Revive It." Time.com. 12/03/2020.

The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again

Putnam, Robert D., with Shaylyn Romney Garrett. The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again. Simon & Schuster, 2020.

The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and how We Can Do it Again

Putnam, Robert D. The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and how We Can Do it Again. Simon & Schuster, 2020.

Under Surface, Middle-Aged Women Push Anti-Trump Movement in US

Putnam, Robert D. "Under Surface, Middle-Aged Women Push Anti-Trump Movement in US." Asahi Shimbun Globe, November 2, 2018.

The Real Scandal the DNC Should Avoid

Putnam, Robert D. "The Real Scandal the DNC Should Avoid." Washington Post, November 10, 2017.

America Needs Big Ideas to Heal Our Divides. Here Are Three

Putnam, Robert D. "America Needs Big Ideas to Heal Our Divides. Here Are Three." PBS Newshour, October 19, 2017.

A Country Divided: The Growing Opportunity Gap in America

Finighan, Reuben, and Robert D. Putnam. "A Country Divided: The Growing Opportunity Gap in America." Economic Mobility: Research & Ideas on Strengthening Families, Communities & The Economy (2017): 139-174.

How Bowling Alone Leads to Aging Alone: Social Capital in the Later Years of Life

Putnam, Robert D. "How Bowling Alone Leads to Aging Alone: Social Capital in the Later Years of Life." Statement Before the Joint Economic Committee of US House and Senate Hearing, May 17, 2017.

Closing the Opportunity Gap

Putnam, Robert D. "Closing the Opportunity Gap." 2016.

A Candid Conversation about Schools, Culture, and the Widening Opportunity Gap in America with Professor Robert D. Putnam

Putnam, Robert D. "A Candid Conversation about Schools, Culture, and the Widening Opportunity Gap in America with Professor Robert D. Putnam." About Campus 20.4 (September 2015): 3-7.

Inequity Outside the Classroom: Growing Class Differences in Participation in Extracurricular Activities

Snellman, Kaisa, Jennifer M. Silva, and Robert D. Putnam. "Inequity Outside the Classroom: Growing Class Differences in Participation in Extracurricular Activities." Voices in Urban Education 40 (2015): 7-14.

Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis

Putnam, Robert D. Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. Simon & Schuster, 2015.

The Engagement Gap: Social Mobility and Extracurricular Participation among American Youth

Snellman, Kaisa, Jennifer M. Silva, Carl B. Frederick, and Robert D. Putnam. "The Engagement Gap: Social Mobility and Extracurricular Participation among American Youth." ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 657.1 (January 2015): 194-207.

Political Science Research Offers Better Democracy

Putnam, Robert D. "Political Science Research Offers Better Democracy." Politico, July 10, 2013.

Religion, Networks, and Neighborliness: The Impact of Religious Social Networks on Civic Engagement

Lewis, Valerie A., Carol Ann MacGregor, and Robert D. Putnam. "Religion, Networks, and Neighborliness: The Impact of Religious Social Networks on Civic Engagement." Social Science Research 42.2 (March 2013): 331-346.

What’s So Darned Special about Church Friends?

Putnam, Robert D. "What’s So Darned Special about Church Friends?" Altruism, Morality, & Social Solidarity Forum 3.2 (May 2012): 1, 19-21.

God and Caesar in America

Campbell, David E., and Robert D. Putnam. "God and Caesar in America." Foreign Affairs 91.2 (March/April 2012): 34-43.

Pinpointing Romney's Mormon Challenge

Putnam, Robert D., and David E. Campbell. "Pinpointing Romney's Mormon Challenge." Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2011.

Islam and American Tolerance

Campbell, David E., and Robert D. Putnam. "Islam and American Tolerance." Wall Street Journal, August 12, 2011.

America's Grace: How a Tolerant Nation Bridges Its Religious Divides

Campbell, David E., and Robert D. Putnam. "America's Grace: How a Tolerant Nation Bridges Its Religious Divides." Political Science Quarterly, 126.4 (Winter 2011): 611-640.

Religion, Social Networks, and Life Satisfaction

Lim, Chaeyoon, and Robert D. Putnam. "Religion, Social Networks, and Life Satisfaction." American Sociological Review 75.6 (December 2010): 914-933.

Secular and Liminal: Discovering Heterogeneity Among Religious Nones

Lim, Chaeyoon, Carol Ann MacGregor, and Robert D. Putnam. "Secular and Liminal: Discovering Heterogeneity Among Religious Nones." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 49.4 (December 2010): 596–618.

American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us

Putnam, Robert D., and David E. Campbell. American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. Simon and Schuster, 2010.

The Age of Obama: The Changing Place of Minorities in British and American Society

Clark, Tom, Robert D. Putnam, and Edward Fieldhouse. The Age of Obama: The Changing Place of Minorities in British and American Society. University of Manchester Press, 2010.

Still Bowling Alone? The Post-9/11 Split

Sander, Thomas H. and Putnam, Robert D. "Still Bowling Alone? The Post-9/11 Split." Journal of Democracy 21.1 (January 2010): 9-16.

Diversity, Social Capital, and Immigrant Integration: Introductory Remarks

Putnam, Robert D. "Diversity, Social Capital, and Immigrant Integration: Introductory Remarks." National Civic Review 98.1 (Spring 2009): 3-5.

Is America Becoming a More Class-Based Society?

Putnam, Robert D. Is America Becoming a More Class-Based Society? The Future of Political Science: 100 Perspectives. Ed. Gary King, Kay Schlozman, and Norman Nie. Routledge, 2009, 158-159.

Sunday Forum: The Growing Class Gap

Putnam, Lara E., and Robert D. Putnam. "Sunday Forum: The Growing Class Gap." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 20, 2008.

The Rebirth of American Civic Life.

Putnam, Robert D. "The Rebirth of American Civic Life." Boston Globe, March 2, 2008.

<i>E Pluribus Unum</i>: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century: The 2006 Johan Skytte Prize Lecture.

Putnam, Robert D. "E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century: The 2006 Johan Skytte Prize Lecture." Scandinavian Political Studies 30.2 (June 2007): 137-174.

Education and Social Capital.

Helliwell, John, and Robert D. Putnam. "Education and Social Capital." Eastern Economics Journal 33.1 (2007): 1-19.

Rallies, Not Riots.

Putnam, Robert D. "Rallies, Not Riots." Boston Globe, December 31, 2006.

Let's Get Connected.

Bridgeland, John, and Robert D. Putnam. "Let's Get Connected." Time September 18, 2006: 22.

You Gotta Have Friends.

Putnam, Robert D. "You Gotta Have Friends." Time July 3, 2006: 36.

Wanted: A Leader for Harvard.

Putnam, Robert D. "Wanted: A Leader for Harvard." Boston Globe, March 5, 2006.

The Social Context of Well-Being.

Helliwell, John, and Robert D. Putnam. "The Social Context of Well-Being." The Science of Well-Being. Ed. Felicia Huppert, Nick Baylis, and Barry Keverne. Oxford University Press, 2006.

Answering “Mother-in-Law” Questions Can Move the Discipline Forward

Putnam, Robert D. "Answering “Mother-in-Law” Questions Can Move the Discipline Forward." Perspectives on Politics 3 (2005): 313-314.

September 11 as Civics Lesson.

Sander, Thomas H., and Robert D. Putnam. "September 11 as Civics Lesson." Washington Post, September 10, 2005.

1996: The Civic Enigma.

Putnam, Robert D. "1996: The Civic Enigma." American Prospect, June 2005: 33.

Women's Status and Social Capital in the United States.

Caiazza, Amy, and Robert D. Putnam. "Women's Status and Social Capital in the United States." Journal of Women, Politics, and Policy 27.1/2 (October 2005): 69-84.

A Nation of Doers Needs to Do More.

Putnam, Robert D., and John M. Bridgeland. "A Nation of Doers Needs to Do More." Philadelphia Inquirer, December 3, 2004.

The Social Context of Well-Being.

Helliwell, John F., and Robert D. Putnam. "The Social Context of Well-Being." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (London) Series B Vol 359 (31 August 2004): 1435-1446.

Education, Diversity, Social Cohesion and ‘Social Capital.'

Putnam, Robert D. “Education, Diversity, Social Cohesion and ‘Social Capital.'" Research Paper, OECD Education Ministers Conference on "Raising the Quality of Education for All," Dublin, Ireland, March 2004.

Commentary: ‘Health by association’: some comments

Putnam, Robert D. "Commentary: ‘Health by association’: some comments." Comment on International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 33, , August 2004: 667-671.

Will Bush Stand by Volunteers Who Heeded His Call?

Putnam, Robert D. "Will Bush Stand by Volunteers Who Heeded His Call?" Los Angeles Times, September 24, 2003.

APSA Presidential Address: The Public Role of Political Science.

Putnam, Robert D. "APSA Presidential Address: The Public Role of Political Science." Perspectives on Politics 1.2 (June 2003): 249-255.

Better Together: Restoring the American Community

Putnam, Robert D., and Lewis Feldstein; with Don Cohen. Better Together: Restoring the American Community. Simon & Schuster, 2003.

“The Prosperous Community: Social Capital and Public Life.

Putnam, Robert D. “The Prosperous Community: Social Capital and Public Life." Foundations of Social Capital. Ed. Elinor Ostrom and T.K. Ahn. Edward Elgar, 2003.