Jonathan Spiegler

Jonathan Spiegler

PhD Candidate in Political Science, Michigan State University
Chapter Fellow, Michigan SSN
Chapter Member: Michigan SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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About Jonathan

Spiegler's research focuses on criminal justice policy specifically, and democratic theory generally. Overarching themes in his writings include gun violence, gun control laws, and mental illness. Spiegler teaches courses on public policy, public administration, and American political thought at Michigan State University.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Why Improved Mental Health Care Alone Will Not Stop Gun Violence

  • Jacob Smith
Key Findings Brief,

In the News

"More Mental Healthcare Alone Will Not Stop Gun Violence," Jonathan Spiegler (with Jacob Smith), The Conversation, June 19, 2018.
"Gun Violence, Gun Control, and Mental Illness," Jonathan Spiegler, Interview with Dave Akerly, WILS 1320, March 27, 2018.
"Gun Control or Mental Healthcare? Unequal Solutions to Gun Violence," Jonathan Spiegler (with Jacob Smith), Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, March 19, 2018.
"Gary Johnson, Queen Maker," Jonathan Spiegler (with Lawrence R. Jacobs), Opinion, The New York Times, November 4, 2016.

Publications

"Explaining Gun Deaths: Gun Control, Mental Illness, and Policymaking in the American States" (with Jacob Smith). Policy Studies Journal (2017).

Examines the relative effectiveness of stricter gun control versus mental healthcare for those in need of it on the number of gun deaths by state in 2012 and 2013. Argues that while stricter gun control laws are associated with fewer gun deaths, access to mental health services has no effect unless paired with stricter gun control laws.

"Clearing the Bench: The Perils of Appointing Politicians to the Cabinet," (with Jacob Smith), Northeast Political Science Association Conference, November 1, 2017.

Examines the potential dangers of appointing a sitting elected official to the Cabinet based on historical data from 1913 to 2018. Shows that almost thirty percent of Cabinet secretaries who were elected officials at the time of their appointment left seats that flipped to the other party by the next general election.

"From Crisis to Housing: A Comparison of Select Homeless Shelters from across the United States," (with Carlos Güereca, Dominic McQuerry, and Erin Troedson), Simpson Housing Services, April 1, 2017.

Investigates how homeless shelters in the United States can differ along important dimensions and how these differences affect the fight to end homelessness. Interviews managers from nine different homeless shelters across the United States in an effort to discover new and innovative ways of operating or structuring shelters to best serve those experiencing homelessness.