Michael Clark

Comparative Politics (Western Europe, Political Parties, Political Representation, Elections, Political Behavior), American Politics

Office:
Zulauf Hall 416
(815) 753-1011 
mclark12@niu.edu

Overview of Scholarly Activity

Michael Clark (Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science. His current research focuses on the role of valence issues in electoral politics, and he has recently examined how valence issues impact parties' vote shares in West European elections, and also how valence issues can affect parties' policy-positioning strategies. His broader interests involve exploring how the behavior of politicians affects voter decision-making and the process of democratic representation. With his co-authors, his research has also examined whether and how different types of political parties respond to shifts in public opinion, and with what consequences.

Selected Publications

"Valence and Parties' Policy Positioning Strategies." Manuscript under review.

"Valence and Electoral Outcomes in Western Europe 1976-1998." Forthcoming, Electoral Studies.

"Are Niche Parties Fundamentally Different From Mainstream Parties? The Causes and the Electoral Consequences of Western European Parties' Policy Shifts, 1976-1998." With James Adams, Lawrence Ezrow, and Garrett Glasgow. American Journal of Political Science 50:3 (2006): 513-823.

"Understanding Change and Stability in Party Ideologies: Do Parties Respond to Public Opinion or to Past Election Results?" With James Adams, Lawrence Ezrow, and Garrett Glasgow. British Journal of Political Science 34:4 (2004): 589-610.