COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Why does state capacity vary so much across countries? Why is democracy so different in Europe, Latin America or the US? Why does authoritarianism emerge in some countries but not in others? This course teaches how to better understand political dynamics around the world. As students of comparative politics, we look at the empirical puzzles that we observe and seek to understand variation in state behaviour, political systems, economic development, etc. To do so, we compare political institutions, policy processes, decision-making procedures, and political life across the globe. Using the latest and most relevant research in the field of comparative politics, this courses examines competing explanations to important questions regarding the state, regime and government types, politics of development, among others.
SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION
I have organised and chaired panels, workshops and roundtables at APSA, IPSA and LASA. I have also integrated LASA's Venezuelan Section awards committee in 2021.
I have served as a reviewer for several journals, including, American Political Science Review, British Journal of Politics and IR, Comparative Politics, Critical
Policy Studies, Globalizations, International Studies Quarterly, Perspectives on Politics, Government & Opposition, Journal of Latin American Studies, Journal of Politics of Latin America, Revista Ciencia Politica.
I had the privilege of guest-editing LASA's Magazine, LASA Forum 57:3 in 2026, on academic freedom in the Americas with Verónica Zubillaga.
I have also been invited to be an expert coder for Latin America for several projects, including Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) and Political Representation, Executives, and Political Parties Survey (PREPPS).