Colin Leys

Colin Leys, since 1975 Professor of Political Science at Queen's is also joint Co-ordinator of the Programme of Studies in National and International Development. Previously he had taught at Oxford, Sussex, Sheffield and a number of African universities. In 1959 he attracted widespread attention when he revised, in an article in "Political Studies", the heretofore sacrosanct 'law' of Duverger about the relation between electoral and party systems. His interest later shifted to Africa and the developing world generally. In a number of seminal books and articles he illumined (and continues to illumine) political phenomena in the third world. Working in a modern political economy context, he has been exceptionally successful in relating economic and socio-political aspects of human experience. His most recent book ("Politics in Britain") is an original and innovative application of the political economy approach to the United Kingdom.