Stephen Bronner

Stephen Eric Bronner (born 19 August 1949) is a political scientist and philosopher, board of governors professor of Political Science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, and the director of global relations for the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights. Bronner has published over 25 books and 200 journal articles.

Early life and education Born in New York City, New York, United States on 19 August 1949, Bronner earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) at City College of New York, spent a year at the Universität Tübingen in Germany on a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship in 1973, and completed his Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1976.

Career Bronner has been employed at Rutgers University since 1976, and has held visiting professor positions at the New School for Social Research (1989), and the Universität Leipzig (1998).

Bronner is director of global relations at the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights at Rutgers University, and the executive chair of US Academics for Peace and an advisor to Conscience International. He has been active in civic diplomacy in Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, Darfur, Ukraine, and Russia. Some of these experiences are discussed in his books dealing with the internal politics of these nations in Blood in the Sand (2005), Peace out of Reach (2007), and The Bitter Taste of Hope (2017).

Bronner is a contributing editor at Logos: A Journal of Modern Society and Culture. His works include studies of contemporary political theory, political history, and cultural politics.

Alleged sexual misconduct In 2018, Bronner was accused of sexual assault by several female students and colleagues. After Rutgers University reversed their decision not to investigate, they put Bronner on a paid research sabbatical until their investigation is over. Bronner claims that none of the alleged assaults happened, but stated that he understands some of his comments to women on campus over the years may have caused offense. “I admit I am not always super tactful. Some of my jokes miss the mark. But there was never any harm.” Campus officials "found no proof he violated any school policies."

Theoretical contributions Influenced by critical theory, existentialism, and liberal socialism, Bronner is best known for his reinterpretation of tradition and a host of concepts like the class ideal and the cosmopolitan sensibility.

Awards and honors

Bronner was the recipient of the MEPeace Award by the Network for Middle Eastern Politics in 2011. He received the Michael A. Harrington Prize for Moments of Decision (1991). Bronner’ received the Charles McCoy Lifetime Achievement Prize from the American Political Science Association in 2005.