In memoriam: Benjamin Radcliff, professor of political science
Benjamin Radcliff, a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, died June 10 after a long illness. He was 60.
Radcliff’s scholarly work focused on the intersection of American and comparative politics. He made significant research contributions in three primary areas: social choice theory, the political influence of organized labor and the politics of human happiness.
“He was a prolific scholar, pioneering the study of how political systems influence what he would call the ultimate dependent variable: human happiness,” said Matthew E.K. Hall, the David A. Potenziani Memorial College Professor of Constitutional Studies and director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy. “He liked to project a cantankerous, sarcastic persona, but it did little to persuade me that he was anything less than a saint.”
From Ottawa, Illinois, Radcliff received his doctorate in political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He held faculty positions at Rutgers University and Vanderbilt University for two years each, and was part of Notre Dame’s political science department for 30 years. During his tenure, Radcliff served as the director of graduate studies for six years and as the director of the Rooney Center from 2012 through 2013.
His book “The Political Economy of Human Happiness: How Voters’ Choices Determine the Quality of Life” detailed his research on the connection between government support for citizens and workers and overall human happiness. Radcliff also completed two edited volumes and 45 referred journal articles, 14 of which appeared in the three leading journals in political science: the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science and the Journal of Politics.
From 2019 through 2022, with department chair and professor Geoffrey Layman, Radcliff served as the co-editor-in-chief of Political Behavior — the official journal of the elections, public opinion and voting behavior organized section of the American Political Science Association. In this position, Layman said, Radcliff was known for his thorough feedback, and he often kindly explained his reasonings to authors whose manuscripts he rejected.
“Ben not only helped the journal reach new heights in terms of scholarly impact and ranking, but also was an exceedingly caring and thoughtful editor,” Layman said.
Beyond academia, Radcliff was also known for his ability to engage in enlightening conversations on subjects ranging from history and politics to music, literature, wine and arcane trivia. With his wife, Amy, Radcliff published the book “Understanding Zen,” which examined zen as a secular doctrine without any necessary relationship to Buddhism or Eastern culture. He also wrote an article on “The Beer Renaissance” in Sky, the Delta Airlines magazine.
“In short, Ben did not just study human happiness, he actively contributed to it,” Layman said.
Radcliff is survived by his wife, as well as his mother, brother and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life is scheduled to be held in August. Those who wish to honor his memory with a donation can do so at Heifer International using the link set up by his colleagues.
Originally published by al.nd.edu on July 3.
atLatest University News
- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to speak at Notre Dame Forum eventCondoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and a Notre Dame alumna, will participate in a “fireside chat” with University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., at 4 p.m. Friday (Oct. 11) as part of the 2024-25 Notre Dame Forum. The conversation, titled “The Perils of U.S. Isolationism,” will take place in the Leighton Concert Hall in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and will also be livestreamed. The event is free, but ticketed, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning one hour beforehand.
- Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni during fall board of directors meetingThe University of Notre Dame Alumni…
- Six new faculty join psychology department to advance research on mental health, other disordersThe Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame has hired six new faculty members this year, a significant expansion of a field that is core to the University’s commitment to fighting the U.S. mental health crisis.
- Notre Dame receives significant gift from the Ernestine Morris Carmichael Raclin estateThe Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame is the beneficiary of a significant gift of paintings, sculptures, and decorative art objects from the estate of Ernestine Morris Carmichael Raclin.
- Notre Dame juniors Faiza Filali, Angela Olvera named Obama-Chesky Voyager ScholarsUniversity of Notre Dame juniors Faiza Filali and Angela Olvera have been named to the third cohort of Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholars. They are Notre Dame’s second and third Voyager Scholars after senior Raleigh Kuipers, who recently returned from Latin America as a member of the second cohort.
- Global leaders discuss ‘What do we owe each other?’ in 2024-25 Notre Dame Forum Inauguration SeriesThe historic Inauguration of Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., included a special Notre Dame Forum event on Thursday, Sept. 11, addressing this year’s…