Basics:

Bio:

I was born in New York in 1941. At Mamaroneck High School a number of teachers whetted my appetite for theoretical work including Markowitz, Kruger, Wright, Rock, and Warneke. After getting a degree from Cornell in 1963 (where I was fortunate to have guidance and help from Professors Lowi, Hacker, Shibley and Lewis) I went for an MA in Economics at the University of Michigan and, after serving in the military from 1965 to 1967, received my PhD from Princeton University in 1971. There I began a life long intellectual collaboration with Norman Frohlich. I have taught in the Government and Politics Department at the University of Maryland since 1976, arriving here from the University of Texas. With the late Mancur Olson, we founded the University of Maryland Collective Choice Center.

My current research involves three projects: (see Manuscripts)

Why do some advanced democracies do so much better than others in making sure the basic needs of the citizenry are met?

How can we explain the chaotic behavior of individuals in basic prisoner dilemma experiments?

The development of a basic text on rational choice theory explanations of politics.

Current courses

Undergraduate (why is it so hard to get good government)

Graduate (formal theory)

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CONTACT

I can be reached at 301 405 4113 at the Department; 301 654 5939 or 301 476 0720 (skype) at home; 301 314 9690 fax; and joppenheimer@gvpt.umd.edu by e.mail. My office is 1140B Tydings Hall. Address mail to Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD. 20742.

Fall 2009 office hours (Tydings 1140b): Tues 1:15-2:45; W 12:30-2; and by appt