Mitchell A. Orenstein is the new S. Richard Hirsch Associate Professor of European Studies. Orenstein comes to SAIS from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where he was an associate professor of political science and director of the Moynihan European Research Centers. He also has held posts at Harvard, Brown and Yale universities.

Laurence Hirsch, a 2005 graduate of the SAIS Master of International Public Policy (M.I.P.P.) Program, established the professorship in honor of his father. Hirsch’s multiyear commitment funds the professorship and starts a permanent endowment that will continue to provide research and outreach support for European Studies activities related to Eastern Europe.

Orenstein is the author and editor of many works, including Out of the Red: Building Capitalism and Democracy in Postcommunist Europe (2001). He has two publications forthcoming in 2008: The Transnational Politics of Pension Reform and Transnational Actors in Central European Transitions.

What attracted you to SAIS?

I was attracted first of all by the international and policy focus of the school. Since my own work concerns international economic policy, it is wonderful to be at an institution where this is a core issue. In addition, I was attracted by the opportunity to teach graduate students in international affairs. I am passionate about graduate teaching; I really enjoy working with students at this critical juncture in their careers. Finally, the SAIS faculty includes many of the people who have been my academic role models over the years, people I respect and who combine outstanding scholarship with policy engagement. It will be a great experience for me to work closely with them.

What areas of expertise do you bring to SAIS?

A key area of expertise, as reflected in the priorities of the Hirsch chair, is the political economy of Central and Eastern Europe. This is now the most dynamic part of the continent in terms of economic development. While the last 15 to 20 years brought a dramatic transformation from communism to capitalism, the next 15 to 20 years will bring equally dramatic econo mic change, with major implications for Europe as a whole. Central and Eastern Europe is on its way to becoming one of the greatest economic success stories in the world. My work has focused on the roots of this success, analyzing the politics of economic reform in the new EU accession states. I have worked on enterprise privatization, pension reform and other welfare state issues and the relationship between democratization and economic reform. I also have used Central and East European cases to look at issues of more global concern, such as the role of international organizations in setting economic policy reform agendas. That is the theme of my forthcoming book.

Could you mention some important trends in your field of study?

As a political scientist, I think one of the most exciting trends is the blurring of lines between international relations and comparative politics or area studies research. Today, it is impossible to study domestic politics without emphasizing the role of international and transnational forces and actors. I approach these issues by trying to build a new comparative politics approach that incorporates valuable insights from international studies.

Would you describe your goals, as Hirsch chair, for this academic year?

I think the challenge of the Hirsch chair is to act as a bridge between SAIS’s European Studies Program, where I am based, the Russian and Eurasian Studies Program and the school’s Center for Transatlantic Relations. I look forward to contributing to each of these and helping build a European Studies Program that is as encompassing as possible. I want to invest in teaching, particularly my new course, Varieties of Capitalism.

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