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Evan Charney, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science

Evan Charney
Contact Info:
Office Location:  235 Sanford Inst Bldg
Office Phone:  (919) 613-9213
Email Address:  

Teaching (Fall 2009):

Education:

PhD, Harvard University, 2000
Specialties:

American Politics
Political Theory
Research Interests: Political Analysis, Philosophy and Theory, Genomics Policy

Genetics and political ideology, political psychology, theories of personality, methodology of the social sciences, liberalism, constitutional law, multiculturalism, and nationalism.

Curriculum Vitae
Recent Publications   (More Publications)

  1. E. Charney, “Debunking the Threat-Sweat Thinking Theory”, Raleigh News and Observer (September 27, 2008) .
  2. E. Charney, Genes and Ideologies, Perspectives on Politics, vol. 6 no. 2 (June, 2008), pp. 299-319  [abs].
  3. E. Charney, Politics, Genetics, and 'Greedy Reductionism', Perspectives on Politics, vol. 6 no. 2 (June, 2008) .
  4. E. Charney, Threat Responses and Political Attitudes, PsyCrit (Forthcoming) .
  5. E. Charney, "Political Correctness;" "Faith-Based Initiatives;" "Flag Desecration", in Encyclopedia of the Culture Wars, edited by Roger Chapman (Forthcoming), M.E. Sharpe .
Evan Charney’s research currently focuses on genetic explanations of political beliefs as well as other complex human beliefs and attitudes, and the theoretical, normative and political implications of such explanations. This focus is part of a larger interest in the assumptions that underlie conceptions of human nature in the social sciences and the extent to which these reflect culturally specific normative assumptions. These include assumptions in political science, economics, sociology, anthropology and psychology.

In regard to psychology, he is particularly interested in theories of personality and the relationship, if any, between personality and political ideology. He is currently at work on a book dealing with all of these matters, both as they concern research in the social sciences and public policy (as in e.g., personality testing in public schools, the “criminal gene” defense in civil law). Other interests include liberal political theory, ethics and constitutional law (particularly civil rights).

Charney has published articles in The American Political Science Review, Political Theory, and Perspectives on Politics. He also spent a year at the Kennedy School of Government as a Fellow in the Program in Ethics and the Professions, and has received fellowships from the Mellon, Javits and Earhardt Foundations.