Joseph Siegle

Joseph Siegle is a scholar who focuses on the political economy of democratization and development, overcoming the challenges of democratic transitions, stabilization of fragile states, and strengthening institutions of democratic accountability.  Illustrative publications include, “Mapping Risk Factors for the Spread of COVID-19 in Africa” (Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2020), “Recommended U.S. Responses to Russian Activities in Africa” (Russian Strategic Intentions White Paper, 2019), “Constitutional Design: Vital but Insufficient for Conflict Management in Africa” (Ethnopolitics, 2016), “Why Term Limits Matter for Africa,” (International Security Network, 2015), “Overcoming Dilemmas of Democratization: Protecting Civil Liberties and the Right to Democracy” (Nordic Journal of International Law, 2012), The Democracy Advantage: How Democracies Promote Prosperity and Peace (Routledge, 2nd edition 2010).  He is also a regular media analyst.

Dr. Siegle is also the Director for Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. In this capacity he oversees the Center’s research on Africa-wide governance and security trends.  Dr. Siegle has held previous research fellow positions at the Council on Foreign Relations and the international consulting firm, DAI. For over a decade, he served as a development practitioner in conflict-affected contexts across Africa, Asia, and the Balkans with the international NGO, World Vision. He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Liberia.  Dr. Siegle is a proud alumni of the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy.