Andrew J. Nathan

Andrew J. Nathan, serving as the Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, stands as a preeminent scholar in Chinese politics, human rights, and East Asian affairs with a career spanning over five decades. A native New Yorker, Nathan completed his academic journey at Harvard University, earning his B.A. in history (1963), M.A. in East Asian regional studies (1965), and Ph.D. in political science (1971). His influential leadership roles at Columbia include chairing the Department of Political Science (2003-2006) and directing the Weatherhead East Asian Institute (1991-1995), while currently heading the steering committee of the Center for the Study of Human Rights. Nathan's extensive involvement in human rights advocacy is reflected in his board memberships with Human Rights in China, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, and the National Endowment for Democracy. As the regular Asia book reviewer for Foreign Affairs magazine and a member of various prestigious editorial boards including the Journal of Contemporary China and China Information, Nathan continues to shape academic discourse and public understanding of Chinese politics and human rights issues. His scholarly work encompasses Chinese politics, foreign policy, comparative political participation, political culture, and human rights, making him an indispensable voice in contemporary Asian studies and international relations.