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Chair in Qualitative Empirical Research Methods

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11.03.2026 10:00

New publication in "Comparative Politics" with Benedikt Bender and Claudius Wagemann: "Why are State-Business Relations Formalized in Russia's Authoritarian Regime? A Set-Theoretic Analysis"

bender_wagemann_article_SBR

We ask about the conditions behind the formalisation of state-business relations (SBRs) in Russia's authoritarian regime. We challenge the common argument that informality dominates these relations. Rather, we argue that both state and business actors are motivated for multiple reasons to formalise their cooperation. The result was unexpectedly clear: we found that 59 out of 83 regions feature surprisingly “strong" or “fairly strong" institutionalized SBRs. Therefore, our first conclusion is that there is a confirmed prevalence of agreements between state and business, as well as formalised procedures. It is notable that even many of the clearly closed regional authoritarian regimes in Russia have formalised SBRs.

Nevertheless, the rationale behind strong formalization varies across regions. The question to which we turn then was wich different configurations account for institutionalized SBRs? We apply fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) to systematically examine SBRs across all federal reagions in Russia. Our fsQCA analysis points out four distinct configurations: (1) Monopolized economy, (2) Hegemonic Authoritarian Politics, (3) Personalist Politics, (4) Competitive Authoritarian Politics. We conlude that institutionalized SBRs are a crucial element of consolidated authoritarian rule, even in highly personalized political systems such as in Russia (for more information about the raw dataset, including all information for the outcome, different conditions, solutions and robustness checks, please see the appendix).

This prompts the question of whether formal state-business arrangements also contribute to the advancement of “better governance." We argue that just the opposite is the case. Our analysis show, formally institutionalized SBRs help to stabilise the “badly designed" informal institutions, from which mainly the autocrat benefits.

Check out the full article here.

 

01.12.2025 12:00

New publication by Dr. Benedikt Bender in Regulation & Governance: "Green Subsidies and the Promotion of Eco-Social Policy in Germany and the United States"

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Overview_Benedikt_Bender
While the literature on eco-social policies has grown, limited attention has been paid to subsidies and
how they are connected to different eco-social policies. In short: We believe that the organizations that
benefit from a particular green subsidy will be much more likely to support eco-social policy. We
focused on the most important trade unions & business organizations in Germany & the US. We
collected 93 documents (press releases, minutes of public meetings, & information from web pages)
and additionally, we used 15 interviews with organization representatives and with experts on the IRA.
In Germany: as we had expected green subsidies play an important role in increasing the support of
eco-social policy reforms. All of the most representative business associations & trade unions agree
that green subsidies should be used to manage the transformation process. Important for our other
argument is that the unions support green subsidies because they are only paid to companies in which
collective agreements or other forms of union representation are in place (positive-sum). In the US: we
also show support for green subsidies among American business organizations & trade unions.
Business groups see innovation & green tech gains; unions support them as subsidies are tied to pro-
labor standards (positive-sum effect).

Can the IRA's green subsidies ensure its political survival under Trump? We believe that green
subsidies may very well prove resilient in the long run, thanks to business, labor, Democratic, &
moderate Republican support.
Check out the full article here.

 

29.09.2025 10:00

New publication: "The Application of Political Science Methods in Europe"

Bookcover - The Application of Political Science Methods in Europe
Profilbild Claudius Wagemann
The volume “The Application of Political Science Methods in Europe" (published by Springer and edited by Claudius Wagemann and his Siena colleague Luca Verzichelli) summarizes various aspects of the current use of methods in European political science. The idea for this book was developed during Claudius Wagemann's research semester in Siena during the summer 2019. The eleven chapters contain overviews on the use of methods in different European geographic regions and political science sub-disciplines, present recent methodological innovations and ask whether there are (stereo)typically 'female' or 'male' methods. Next to Claudius Wagemann, our team member Benedikt Bender und our former team members Lukas Brenner and Bastiaan Bruinsma were involved as authors. Additionally, numerous student assistants were involved in the coding of the use of methods in political science journal articles.

 

30.08.2025 10:00

New publication by Dr. Benedikt Bender in the “Handbook on Welfare State Reforms”.

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How do organised interests shape welfare state reforms? Together with B.Ebbinghaus we review various political economy approaches to explaining ongoing welfare state reforms. We also discuss the challenges of member mobilisation & influence in times of multiple crisis. Benedikt Bender is very happy to have contributed to this comprehensive Handbook. He is grateful to the editors, Bernhard Ebbinghaus and Moira Nelson, as well as to all colleagues who made this handbook possible.

 

21.08.2025 10:00

Strengthening democratic discourse in polarized times. Dr. Benedikt Bender moderates an election arena with over 250 participants.