Ken Shotts

Professor, Political Economy
+1 (650) 725-4510
CV

Ken Shotts

The David S. and Ann M. Barlow Professor of Political Economy

Professor of Political Sciences (by courtesy), School of Humanities and Sciences
Academic Area:

Additional Administrative Titles

Director, Sea Executive Program
Co-Director, Managing Risk and Reputation in a Complex World

Research Statement

Professor Shotts uses game theory to analyze how elections and political institutions influence government policy choices. He has published papers on electoral accountability, presidential leadership, racial redistricting, term limits, political risk, policy entrepreneurship, and media & propaganda in fragile democracies.

Research Interests

  • Political economy
  • Electoral accountability
  • Policy entrepreneurship

Teaching Statement

Ken teaches core MBA and MSx classes on Leading with Values, and has a recent book (with Neil Malhotra) based on this class: "Leading with Values: Strategies for Making Ethical Decisions in Business and Life." He also teaches in several Executive Education programs, including the Stanford Executive Program and the Stanford LEAD online program.

Bio

Kenneth W. Shotts is The David S. and Ann M. Barlow Professor of Political Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He received his BA in political science from Stanford in 1993 and his PhD from Stanford GSB in 1999. In addition to his time at Stanford, he has taught at Northwestern and the University of Michigan, and has been a visiting scholar at the Hoover Institution, Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.

Academic Degrees

  • PhD in Political Economy, Stanford GSB, 1999
  • BA in Political Science, Stanford University, 1993

Academic Appointments

  • David S. and Ann M. Barlow Professor of Political Economy, Stanford GSB, 2011-present
  • Professor of Political Economy, Stanford GSB, 2009–11
  • Associate Professor of Political Economy (with tenure), Stanford GSB, 2006–09
  • Associate Professor of Political Economy (untenured), Stanford GSB, 2003–06
  • Assistant Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University, 1998–2003

Awards and Honors

  • Coulter Family Faculty Fellow for 2021–22
  • Stanford GSB Trust Faculty Fellow, 2013–14

Publications

Journal Articles

Anqi Li, Davin Raiha, Ken Shotts
The Journal of Politics
2022
Alexander V. Hirsch, Ken Shotts
Journal of Politics
2018 Vol. 80 Pages 1339-1354
Alexander V. Hirsch, Ken Shotts
American Economic Review
2015 Vol. 105 Issue 4 Pages 1646-1664
Alexander V. Hirsch, Ken Shotts
American Journal of Political Science
January 2012 Vol. 56 Issue 1 Pages 67-83
Scott Ashworth, Ken Shotts
Journal of Public Economics
December 2010 Vol. 94 Issue 11-12 Pages 838–847
Ken Shotts, Alan E. Wiseman
The Journal of Politics
January 2010 Vol. 72 Issue 1 Pages 209–226
Justin Fox, Ken Shotts
The Journal of Politics
October 2009 Vol. 71 Issue 4 Pages 1225-1237
Brandice Canes-Wrone, Ken Shotts
American Political Science Review
May 21, 2007 Vol. 101 Issue 2 Pages 272-288
Michael C. Herron, Ken Shotts
Legislative Studies Quarterly
August 2006 Vol. 31 Issue 3 Pages 383-403
Ken Shotts
Social Choice and Welfare
2006 Vol. 27 Issue 2 Pages 251-261
Brandice Canes-Wrone, Ken Shotts
American Journal of Political Science
October 2004 Vol. 48 Issue 4 Pages 690–706
Ken Shotts
American Journal of Political Science
2002 Vol. 46 Issue 2 Pages 398-414
Brandice Canes-Wrone, Michael C. Herron, Ken Shotts
American Journal of Political Science
July 2001 Vol. 45 Issue 3 Pages 532–550
Jonathan Bendor, Terry M. Moe, Ken Shotts
American Political Science Review
March 2001 Vol. 95 Issue 1 Pages 169-190
Jonathan N. Wand, Ken Shotts, Jasjeet S. Sekhon, Walter R. Mebane, Jr., Michael C. Herron, Henry E. Brady
American Political Science Review
2001 Vol. 95 Issue 4 Pages 793-810

Books

Neil Malhotra, Ken Shotts
Cambridge University Press
2022

Working Papers

Ken Shotts, Alex Hirsch November 12, 2023

Teaching

Executive Education & Other Non-Degree Programs

Learn how to make better financial management decisions to increase the value of your company in the marketplace.
Anticipate and develop strategies to address critical beyond-market forces, from legislation and regulation to activism and the media.
Learn how to grow and scale your company in this 10-month program ​for CEOs and founders of established businesses in Africa, Indonesia, and South Asia.
Reinvigorate and ramp up your professional journey and evolve as a leader in our flagship executive program.
Transform knowledge into impact and drive innovation and change in your organization with Stanford LEAD, our flagship online business program.

Stanford Case Studies

Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2023
Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2022
Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2020
Katherine Casey, Kenneth Shotts, Christy Johnson
2020
Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2019
Ken Shotts, Neil Malhotra, Sheila Melvin
2018
Ken Shotts, Neil Malhotra, Sheila Melvin
2018
P94
Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2018
Katherine Casey, Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2017
Katherine Casey, Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2017
Katherine Casey, Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2017
Kenneth Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2015
Ken Shotts, Sheila Melvin
2013
Ken Shotts, David Hoyt, Ashish Jhina
2012
Alexander Hirsch, Ken Shotts
2011

In the Media

Insights by Stanford Business

December 07, 2023
Communication. Power. Technology. Finance. This year’s podcast roundup has something for everyone.
September 29, 2023
A deeper look at how Facebook’s content played a role in elections and the dissemination of hate speech around the globe.
November 02, 2022
Practical advice for avoiding divisiveness and working with people with different views.
October 19, 2022
Stanford GSB faculty and alumni discuss ways citizens, leaders, and organizations can begin to bridge the political gap. (Part 1)
July 07, 2022
The latest books from Stanford GSB faculty and lecturers.
May 05, 2022
Case study: Reconciling an enormous public health crisis with intellectual property concerns
April 06, 2022
Case study: Unpacking the history and causes of a deadly scourge
March 14, 2022
On this podcast episode, we discuss the keys to making ethical decisions in your professional and personal life.
December 15, 2021
Five lessons in five minutes from Stanford GSB professors and lecturers.
December 15, 2021
Five lessons in five minutes: Professors Neil Malhotra and Ken Shotts show how to create a culture of value-driven behavior inside organizations.
October 19, 2021
With millions of lives at stake, should drug makers be forced to share their IP?
October 21, 2020
Stanford researchers study the various tactics that politicians use to get voters on their side, from “moral reframing” to two-faced deception.
September 05, 2019
An expert on political economy explains what healthy trade relations look like and how China could exploit Trump’s vulnerability.
October 18, 2018
Good intentions and gut instinct won’t take you far enough, say two Stanford GSB professors.
February 08, 2016
Four Stanford GSB professors show how our elected officials win over voters.
February 01, 2016
Stanford GSB professors share their reading list for topics related to impact.
August 13, 2015
How do you code ethics into autonomous automobiles? And who is responsible when things go awry?
June 18, 2015
Political risk is inevitable, but there are ways to mitigate it.
November 05, 2014
What the Cuban Missile Crisis can teach business leaders about monopolists and informal power.
October 09, 2011
A political economist says an effective media makes politicians less likely to pander.

School News

January 18, 2024
If/Then aims to help business leaders address modern problems
December 06, 2022
Articles, videos, and podcasts that capture great teaching and memorable lessons.
April 18, 2022
Audio versions of case studies get high marks from students.
April 07, 2016
Business doesn’t operate in a vacuum; it’s buffeted by the unpredictable winds of government, the media, and countless other influential groups.