Research Overview

My research examines interstate conflict processes and the political determinants of international trade.   Within conflict processes, I have research on economic sanctions, the democratic peace, audience costs, and diversionary conflict. Regarding international trade, my research focuses on market-protecting institutions.

Understanding how domestic politics and domestic institutions influence foreign policy and international interactions motivates much of my research. 

Data Collection

To improve our understanding of international interactions and world politics, it is very helpful to have appropriate data and valid measures of critical concepts. With this in mind, I am engaged in several data collection projects.

With Brian Crisher I have collected data on each country's major naval assets for the period 1865-2019. We have also created an annual measure of country naval power.

With Richard Saunders I have collected data on each country's fighter and attack aircraft for the period 1973-2019. We have also created an annual measure of country air power. Richard Saunders and I have also created a measure of "actual air superiority" in major battles and interstate wars for the period 1932-2003.

I have also created a country-year measure of military power. Unlike common measures of power in international relations that focus on economic factors and/or military expenditures and personnel, my measure focuses on weapons systems. The indicator, Material Military Power (MMP), includes naval weapons, air weapons, land weapons, ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.