Peter Bils

I am an assistant professor of political science and economics at Vanderbilt University. My research studies the design of political institutions, how lobbying influences policy outcomes, and political conflict.

CV | peter.h.bils@vanderbilt.edu | Google Scholar

Research

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• Working for the Revolving Door
  with Gleason Judd. R&R at American Journal of Political Science. [pdf]
• Policy Anchors, Voter Behavior, and the Dynamics of Party Platforms
  with Steven Callander and Federica Izzo. R&R at Journal of Politics. [pdf]
• Ideological Infection
  with Federica Izzo. Conditionally accepted at American Political Science Review. [pdf]
• The Logic of Secret Alliances
  with Bradley C. Smith. American Journal of Political Science (2026). [pdf, journal]
• Policy Gambles and Valence in Elections
  with Federica Izzo. Games and Economic Behavior (2025). [pdf, journal]
• Fanatical Peace: How Fundamental Disagreements Can Discourage Conflict
  with Richard Jordan and Kristopher Ramsay. Journal of Politics (2025). [pdf, journal]
• Policymaking and Appointments under Electoral and Judicial Constraints
  with Gleason Judd and Bradley C. Smith. Journal of Politics (2024). [pdf, journal]
• Strategic Avoidance and Rulemaking Procedures
  with Robert J. Carroll and Lawrence S. Rothenberg. Journal of Theoretical Politics (2024). [pdf, journal]
• Overreacting and Posturing: How Accountability and Ideology Shape Executive Policy Responses
  Quarterly Journal of Political Science (2023). [pdf, journal]
• Lobbying and Policy Extremism in Repeated Elections
  with John Duggan and Gleason Judd. Journal of Economic Theory (2021). [pdf, journal]
• Policymaking with Multiple Agencies
  American Journal of Political Science (2020). [pdf, journal]
• The Amicus Game
  with Lawrence S. Rothenberg and Bradley C. Smith. Journal of Politics (2020). [pdf, journal]
• Stall Wars: When Do States Fight to Hold onto the Status Quo?
  with Gleason Judd and William Spaniel.International Studies Quarterly (2020). [pdf, journal]
• Slow to Learn: Bargaining, Uncertainty, and the Calculus of Conquest
  with William Spaniel.Journal of Conflict Resolution (2018). [pdf, journal]
• Policy Bargaining and Militarized Conflict
  with William Spaniel. Journal of Theoretical Politics (2017). [pdf, journal]