# Richard F Bensel

**Source**: https://americanstudies.cornell.edu/richard-f-bensel
**Parent**: https://americanstudies.cornell.edu/faculty

## Gary S. Davis Professor of Government

### Overview

Richard Bensel (Ph.D. Cornell University) is the Gary S. Davis Professor of Government. His primary fields are American politics and political economy. His research and teaching interests include American political development, parties and elections, the United States Congress, comparative state formation, political culture, institutional change, and philosophy of social science. [You can find his CV here.](https://cornell.box.com/s/539pvmknfcvdpfxcrlzrp9aidrlv155b)

**Course Syllabi**

[Govt 6122](https://cornell.box.com/s/7mefazanjzmzds4hadpx4rg1ptivyuw4) Philosophical and Empirical Foundations of the Social Sciences

### Research Focus

- American Political Development
- Parties and Elections
- United States Congress
- Comparative State Formation
- Institutional Change
- Political Culture
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences

## Courses - Fall 2025

- [AMST 6202 : Political Culture](https://classes.cornell.edu/browse/roster/FA25/class/AMST/6202)

## Courses - Spring 2026

- [AMST 4021 : American Conservative Thought](https://classes.cornell.edu/browse/roster/SP26/class/AMST/4021)