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Jonathan Bendor
Jonathan Bendor
Professor, Political Economy
Contact Info
+1 (650) 723-4480
Email
JonathanBendor
Walter and Elise Haas Professor of Political Economics and Organizations
Professor of Political Science (by courtesy), School of Humanities and Sciences
Academic Area: 
Political Economy

Research Statement

Jonathan Bendor's research focuses on three areas: 1) theories of bounded rationality—how cognitive constraints affect decision making; 2) the evolution of cooperation and of norms of collective action; 3) the study of bureaucracy—institutional methods of easing cognitive constraints faced by individual decision makers.

Bio

Jon Bendor is the Walter and Elise Haas Professor of Political Economics and Organizations at the Graduate School of Business. He joined the Stanford faculty in 1979, having earned all of his degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Professor of Political Science, by courtesy, and also teaches in Stanford’s Public Policy Program. He was director of the GSB’s Doctoral Program for four years. He teaches the MBA course on negotiations and plans to write a (short) text on the subject.

Bendor was a Fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in 1999-2000 and in 2004-2005. He is in the Who’s Who in Economics (4th ed.) and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Academic Degrees

  • PhD, UC Berkeley, 1980
  • MA, UC Berkeley, 1973
  • BA, UC Berkeley, 1972

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford since 1979
  • Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, Stanford GSB, 1994-1999
  • Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, Stanford GSB, 1986 -1994
  • Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, Stanford GSB, 1979-1986

Awards and Honors

  • Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2004
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, 2004
  • Robert H. Durr Award, Midwest Political Science Association, 2001
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, 1999
  • Heinz Eulau Award, American Political Science Association, 1998

Publications

Journal Articles

Recycling the Garbage Can: An Assessment of the Research Program
Jonathan Bendor, Terry M. Moe, Ken Shotts. American Political Science Review. March 2001, Vol. 95, Issue 1, Pages 169-190.

Books

Bounded Rationality and Politics
Jonathan Bendor Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010.
Parallel Systems: Redundancy in Government
Jonathan Bendor University of California Press, 1985.

Courses Taught

Degree Courses

2015-16

GSBGEN 541: Problem-Solving and Creativity

This is a project-based course on problem solving and creativity. It is expected that everyone who takes the class will work on some significant problem that'€™s currently ongoing (e.g., the design of part of a complex project, a difficult...

OB 381: Conflict Management and Negotiation

Conflict is unavoidable in every organization. The key question is how it will be handled: will it escalate to dysfunctional levels or will it be effectively managed? Hence, a first aim of the course is to develop your ability to analyze...

POLECON 691: PhD Directed Reading (ACCT 691, FINANCE 691, GSBGEN 691, HRMGT 691, MGTECON 691, MKTG 691, OB 691, OIT 691, STRAMGT 691)

This course is offered for students requiring specialized training in an area not covered by existing courses. To register, a student must obtain permission from the faculty member who is willing to supervise the reading.

POLECON 692: PhD Dissertation Research (ACCT 692, FINANCE 692, GSBGEN 692, HRMGT 692, MGTECON 692, MKTG 692, OB 692, OIT 692, STRAMGT 692)

This course is elected as soon as a student is ready to begin research for the dissertation, usually shortly after admission to candidacy. To register, a student must obtain permission from the faculty member who is willing to supervise the...

POLECON 698: Doctoral Practicum in Teaching

Doctoral Practicum in Teaching

POLECON 699: Doctoral Practicum in Research

Doctoral Practicum in Research

POLECON 802: TGR Dissertation (ACCT 802, FINANCE 802, GSBGEN 802, HRMGT 802, MGTECON 802, MKTG 802, OB 802, OIT 802, STRAMGT 802)

2014-15

GSBGEN 202: Critical Analytical Thinking

The Critical Analytical Thinking (CAT) seminar helps develop and hone the skills needed to analyze complex issues, to formulate well-reasoned arguments and to evaluate others€™ arguments. In sections of 18 students or less, you will analyze,...

GSBGEN 541: Problem-Solving and Creativity

This is a project-based course on problem solving and creativity. It is expected that everyone who takes the class will work on some significant problem that's currently ongoing (e.g., the design of part of a complex project, a difficult...

2013-14

GSBGEN 202: Critical Analytical Thinking

The Critical Analytical Thinking (CAT) course provides a setting for students to further develop and hone the skills needed to analyze complex issues and make forceful and well-grounded arguments. In 16-18 person sections, you will analyze,...

OB 381: Conflict Management and Negotiation

Conflict is unavoidable in every organization. The key question is how it will be handled: will it escalate to dysfunctional levels or will it be effectively managed? Hence, a first aim of the course is to develop your ability to analyze...

Stanford University Affiliations

Stanford GSB

  • Faculty Director, PhD Program

Greater Stanford University

Service to the Profession

  • Member, American Journal of Political Science, 1998-2001
  • Member, American Political Science Review, 1995-2001

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenJonathan Bendor: Why Criticism is Good for Innovation
June 23, 2015
How to quash bad ideas without stifling innovation.
writtenJonathan Bendor: A Toolkit for Solving Problems
May 29, 2015
Is classic research on decision-making still relevant today?