Peter Bils

I am an assistant professor of political science and economics at Vanderbilt University. My research interests include lobbying, bureaucratic politics, electoral accountability, and international conflict.

CV here | Email: peter.h.bils at vanderbilt dot edu

Research


  • 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 Ideology and Accountability 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]