Hello! I’m Eric Benjamin Mackey

Bio

I am a PhD Candidate in the Political Science Department at the University of California, Riverside.  I am a political theorist working in contemporary democratic theory with interests including deliberative democratic theory, elite philanthropy, comparative democratic theory, neoliberalism, and ideology. My research centers on contemporary political theory–particularly contemporary democratic theory–makes me especially well-suited for this position. I specialize in studying how political science and political theory draws on democratic concepts to address concerns about elite philanthropy, ideology and neoliberalism. My dissertation argues for an approach that critically examines the ideological underpinnings of elite philanthropy and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of particular democratic concepts used to overcome these problems. I illustrate how antidemocratic ideas about the common good persist within seemingly democratic institutions that appear to offer formal political equality which challenges how democracy is often understood to accommodate these problems. I illustrate how elite philanthropy shapes debates regarding the common good that emphasizes solutions to political problems that favor wealthy groups. I am also a former merchant mariner and worked on the Chicago River as deckhand, senior deckhand and captain. I did this for roughly 15 years before finding a passion for political theory.

I have graduate degrees in Liberal Studies and Political Science. At Valparaiso University I developed research interests in social contract theory, democracy, and professional ethics. At UC, Riverside I am on track to complete a PhD in Political Science. Along the way I earned an MA in political science with concentrations in political theory and comparative politics. Additionally I have had formal legal training from Roosevelt University in Chicago where I learned to conduct legal research, craft legal memoranda, brief cases, among others.

Born in Chicago and spending much of my professional life in the city I came to be a Cubs fan. Though recently my LA friends have convinced me to tepidly cheer for the Dodgers.  I'm also a movie buff, I love watching and talking about movies ranging across the whole spectrum from Oscar bait, artsy indies to the big tentpole blockbusters.