Jonathan Spiegler

Jonathan’s research focuses on questions of human agency and fatalism, especially in the thought of nineteenth century French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville. He also works in public policy and his current research focuses on the problem of gun violence in America.

Jonathan’s work has been published in academic journals including American Political Thought and Policy Studies Journal, as well as newspapers including The New York Times and The Washington Post’s Monkey Cage.

Jonathan regularly teaches courses on the history of political philosophy (both classical and modern), American political thought, public policy, and public administration. He is the recipient of the Excellence-In-Teaching Citation and the Graduate Student Teaching Award from Michigan State University.

Jonathan holds a BA in political science and economics from Kenyon College, a MPP in social policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and a PhD in political science from Michigan State University.

Select Publications

“Hope for the Future: Tocqueville on Racism, Fatalism, and Democracy.” American Political Thought: Forthcoming.

“Explaining Gun Deaths: Gun Control, Mental Illness, and Policymaking in the American States.” Policy Studies Journal 48 (1): 235-256, with Jacob Smith. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psj.12242. 

“Regression Analysis for Beginners: Exploring Gun Violence.” Sage Publications: 1-12, with Jacob Smith. http://methods.sagepub.com/case/regression-analysis-for-beginners-exploring-gun-violence.