Richard Barton

• 2024 Spring
  • PST 101 An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
  • PST 409 Intermediate Analysis of Public ­Policy
  • PST 400 Selected Topics - Advanced Policy Research
• 2023 Fall
  • PST 101 An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
  • PST 409 Intermediate Analysis of Public ­Policy
  • PAI 785 Policy Design and Implementation
• 2023 Spring
  • PST 101 An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
  • PST 409 Intermediate Analysis of Public ­Policy
  • PST 410 Practicum in Public Policy - Non-Profit&Gov Agency Pract.
• 2022 Fall
  • PST 101 An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
  • PST 409 Intermediate Analysis of Public ­Policy
  • PAI 785 Policy Design and Implementation
  • PST 410 Practicum in Public Policy - Pract. Gov/Non-Profit Org.

Richard Barton ’15 M.A. (PSc) is assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs. His research focuses on the American political economy and legislative institutions.

His published articles include “Upending the New Deal Regulatory Regime: Democratic Party Position Change on Financial Regulation” and “A Primary Threat: How Ideological Primary Challengers Exacerbate Polarization in Bill Sponsorship.” He has published op-eds in The Washington Post and CNN, among other outlets.

His research was supported by the Dirksen Congressional Center in 2020. He is a research fellow with the Scholars Strategy Network and the Unite America Institute, where he conducts research and thought leadership on the effects of primaries and alternative electoral institutions on governance.

Barton earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2022.

"Can Election Reforms Reduce Polarization and Improve Governance?", Sponsored by Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (SOURCE) Research Assistant Grant.

• Journal Articles
  • Barton, R. C., Bateman, D., Gilded Age Doughfaces and Reluctant Reformers: Northern Democrats and Civil Rights in the late-Nineteenth Century. Journal of Historical Political Economy.
  • Barton, R. C., "A Primary Threat: How Ideological Primary Challengers Exacerbate Polarization." Party Politics, 2022.
  • Barton, R. C., "Upending the New Deal Regulatory Regime: Democratic Party Position Change on Financial Regulation." Perspective on Politics, 2022.
  • Barton, R. C., Piston , S., "Undeserving Rich or Untrustworthy Government? How Elite Rhetoric Erodes Support for Soaking the Rich." Politics, Groups and Identities, 2021.
• Editorials
  • Barton, R. C., "The Problem with Primaries: To Free Political Parties from Fringe Candidates, We Need to Eliminate Primaries that Favor Extremes." In The American Purpose. , 2023.
  • Barton, R. C., "Congress is Polarized. Fear of Being ‘Primaried’ is One Reason." In Washington Post: Monkey Cage. , 2022.
  • Barton, R. C., "Le Pen Could’ve Won Here: France Provides an Example of How American Electoral Institutions Distort Voter Representation." In The Bulwark. , 2022.
  • Barton, R. C., "How Campaigns and Distrust Undermine Efforts to ‘Soak the Rich'." In Medium: 3Streams. , 2021.
  • Barton, R. C., "Science Says Reopen Syracuse City Schools." In Syracuse Post Standard. , 2020.
  • Barton, R. C., "How Challenges in Primaries Shift the Policy Agendas of Political Parties." In Scholars Strategy Network. , 2019.
  • Barton, R. C., "Want Gun Reform? Republicans Who Support Gun Reform Need to Run in the Primaries." In CNN Online. , 2018.

American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, "Systematic Pro-Market Position Change on Financial Regulation" (2022)

Barton, R. C., Hacker, J., Pierson , P., Thelen , K., Herteri-Fernandez , A., American Political Economy Conference, "Book Panel: Hijacking the Agenda: Economic Power and Political Influence by Christopher Witko, Jana Morgan, Nathan Kelly, and Peter Enns" (2021)

Barton, R. C., Hacker , J., Pierson , P., Thelen , K., Herteri-Fernandez, A., American Political Economy Summer Workshop, "From New Deal to Neoliberalism: Why Democrats Championed Financial Deregulation" (2021)

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, "From New Deal to Neoliberalism: Why Democrats Championed Financial Deregulation" (2021)

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, "Taxes, Trust and the Undeserving Rich: How Campaigns Depress Support for ‘Soaking’ the Wealthy" (2019)

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, "The Party Reacts: How Primary Threats Exacerbate Polarization" (2019)

Sage Fellowship, Cornell University (2020 - 2021)

Congressional Research Grant, Dirksen Congressional Center (2020)

Research Travel Grant, Cornell University Graduate School (2019 - 2020)

Graduate Fellowship ($1,000/year), Scholars Strategy Network (2017 - 2020)

Graduate Research Grant, Cornell University, American Studies Program (2018)