Keith Dowding Political scientist and sociologist Country: Australia

1. Keith Dowding - Political Scientist and Sociologist
2. Contributions to Political Philosophy and Empirical Political Science
3. Exploring the Tiebout Model
4. Recent Focus on Ministerial Resignations

Keith Dowding - Political Scientist and Sociologist

Keith Dowding, born in 1960, is a prominent political scientist and sociologist. He is currently a professor at the Australian National University in Canberra. Dowding's extensive research focuses on various topics such as public choice, public administration, public policy, British politics, comparative politics, urban political economy, positive political theory, and normative political philosophy.

Contributions to Political Philosophy and Empirical Political Science

Dowding's work has made significant contributions to the development of political philosophy and popular empirical political science. He is well-known for his influential studies on the nature and structure of political power. Dowding expanded Brian Barry's concept of luck, demonstrating that certain groups of people tend to have remarkably good fortune due to societal factors. These individuals may not necessarily hold formal positions of power, but they benefit greatly from the structure of society, often receiving privileges without effort. Similarly, Dowding identified groups of individuals who consistently experience misfortune.

Dowding's research sparked controversy and drew criticism from scholars such as Brian Barry, Steven Lukes, Peter Morriss, and Andrew Hindmoor. However, his groundbreaking work opened new avenues for understanding power dynamics and social structures.

Exploring the Tiebout Model

Dowding extensively worked on the Tiebout model, which describes how individuals choose their place of residence based on available resources. He successfully demonstrated the applicability of this model to the United Kingdom, albeit on a relatively small scale. Additionally, Dowding's research revealed that people are more likely to relocate not due to the absence of resources but rather due to their presence.

Recent Focus on Ministerial Resignations

In recent years, Dowding has turned his attention to the study of ministerial resignations. Through the analysis of extensive data on the activities of various British and Australian ministers, he has identified common principles underlying their resignations. Dowding's work has attracted significant attention from scholars worldwide, and many continue to build upon his findings.

Overall, Keith Dowding's influential contributions have advanced our understanding of political philosophy and empirical political science. His research on power dynamics, the Tiebout model, and ministerial resignations has shaped the field and continues to inspire further study.