Michael Zurn

About the Author

Michael Zurn is a distinguished political scientist and professor emeritus at the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB), where he has shaped contemporary debates on international relations and global institutions. With a career spanning decades, Zurn has explored the intricacies of authority, legitimacy, and contestation in the evolving landscape of world politics, drawing on interdisciplinary insights from sociology, law, and philosophy. His seminal work, A Theory of Global Governance: Authority, Legitimacy, and Contestation, offers a groundbreaking framework for understanding how power operates beyond national borders in an era of globalization. Zurn's research emphasizes the tensions between democratic ideals and supranational structures, influencing policymakers, scholars, and activists alike. A prolific author and editor, he continues to engage with pressing global challenges through his affiliations with institutions like Science Po Paris and the University of Bremen.