Eric McLaughlin Ph.D.

Eric McLaughlin teaches courses in comparative politics, international relations, and research methods, with a substantive focus on the politics of sub-Saharan Africa. His research interests include the politics of ethnicity and nationalism, representation, and democratization in the developing world. His published research has appeared in leading subfield journals such as Comparative Political Studies and Party Politics, as well as in edited volumes.

He also teaches courses in quantitative methods and mentors students through the department’s senior research seminar, the Political Science Capstone (POLI 495). His courses regularly cross-list with programs such as International Relations (IR) and Race and Ethnic Studies (REST).

Outside the classroom, he enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with his family and their ill-tempered Havanese.

• B.A., history, Tulane University, 2000
• Ph.D., political science, Indiana University, 2006

• Associate professor (tenured), University of Redlands, 2020–present
• Associate professor (untenured), University of Redlands, 2018–2020
• Senior lecturer, University of Redlands, 2016–2018
• Lecturer, University of Redlands, 2014–2016
• Visiting assistant professor, University of Redlands, 2008–2014
• Assistant professor (tenure track), University of New Mexico, 2007–2008
• Visiting assistant professor, University of Illinois, 2006–2007

• “Explaining Germany’s Electoral Geography: Evidence from the Eastern States.” German Politics and Society 37 (1) (2019): 1–23. With Steven T. Wuhs.
• “Language Policies and Voter Turnout: Evidence from South Africa.” Journal of African Elections 14 (2) (2015): 130–161.
• “Did Floor-Crossing Alienate South African Voters? Evidence from Municipal Legislatures.” Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies 41 (2) (2014): 289–310.
• “Electoral Regimes and Party Switching: Floorcrossing in South Africa’s Local Legislatures.” Party Politics 18 (4) (2012): 563–579.
• “Racial, Ethnic, or Rational Voters? Splitting Tickets in South Africa.” Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies 35 (1) (2008): 23–41.
• “Beyond the Racial Census: The Political Salience of Ethno-Linguistic Identities in South Africa.” Comparative Political Studies 40 (4) (2007): 435–456.