My research explores authoritarian nostalgia and how it shapes voter behavior in post-authoritarian democracies. The primary focus of my research is understanding how authoritarian legacies shape present-day politics in democratic elections. I am interested in the role of authoritarian nostalgia in voter attitudes and related behavior, especially in Asian democracies. In addition, I have developed a separate research project understanding the political economy in East Asia. This work has focused on the expansion of China’s presence in the neighboring countries and how this can shape voters’ attitudes toward China.
Authoritarian Legacies
Peer-reviewed publications
- “Authoritarian Nostalgia, Group Sentiment, and Voter Behavior.” 2025. Political Behavior. 47(3): 1231-1252. [Replication files]
- “Mnemonic Politics among Philippine Voters: A Social Media Measurement Approach.” with Emily Sallenback. 2024. Democratization. 31(8): 1622-1644.
- “Authoritarian Legacies and Partisan Bias in Corruption Voting: Evidence from South Korea.” 2023. Journal of East Asian Studies. 23(2): 241-262.
- “Personality Traits, Democratic Support, and Authoritarian Nostalgia.” 2023. Social Science Quarterly. 104(5): 619-635.
- “Alternative Legacies of Authoritarianism: Pro-dictator Bias in Ideology.” 2023. Party Politics. 29(3): 580-586.
Book Chapters
- “Authoritarian Nostalgia.” In Encyclopedia of Authoritarianism edited by Thomas Ambrosio and Stephen Hall. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- “Legacies of Authoritarianism.” In Handbook of Political Socialization, edited by Jill S. Greenlee and Zoe M. Oxley. De Gruyter.
Working Papers
- “Pixelated Authoritarian Nostalgia: The Use of Nostalgic Rhetoric of Former Dictators in the Media.” with Hyein Ko.
- “Too Young to be Nostalgic?: Young Voters and the Rise in Authoritarian Nostalgia.”
- “Right in the Past, Left in the Present?: Ideological Orientation and Political Nostalgia.”
- “Authoritarian Nostalgia and Partisan Attachment.” with Sunkyoung Park.
- “Last Ones Standing: Local Politics and Authoritarian Symbol Removal in Taiwan.” With Risa Kitagawa and Yu-hsien Sung.
Political Economy in Asia
Peer-reviewed publications
- “Money Backfires: How Chinese Investment Fuels Anti-China Protests Abroad.” with Yujeong Yang, Do Young Gong, and Shuyuan Shen. 2024. World Development. 178: 106566. [Replication files]
- “Killing Protests with Kindness: Anti-China Protests and China’s Public Diplomacy.” with Yujeong Yang, Do Young Gong, and Shuyuan Shen. 2023. International Studies Quarterly. 67(4): sqad087. [Replication files]
Working Papers
- “Prejudice and Protest: The Long-term Effects of Ethnic Discrimination on Anti-China Protest in Indonesia.” with Yujeong Yang.
Local Journalism and Political Accountability
Peer-reviewed publications
- “How Loud Does the Watchdog Bark? A Reconsideration of Local Journalism, News Non-profits, and Political Corruption.” with Nikki Usher. 2024. International Journal of Press/Politics. 29(4): 960-982. [Replication files]