Thomas Main

Thomas Main

Professor

Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

Department: Public Affairs

Areas of expertise:

Email Address: thomas.main@baruch.cuny.edu

> View CV

Thomas J. Main’s research interests are: liberal democracy and its challenges, bureaucracy and public administration, urban politics, homelessness, and the American Constitution and founding. He is author of the books, The Rise of Illiberalism (Brookings, Fall 2021), The Rise of the Alt-Right, (Brookings, 2018) and Homelessness in New York City: Policymaking from Koch to de Blasio (NYU Press, 2016), and editor of the anthology, Is the American Constitution Obsolete? (Carolina Academic Press, 2013). He is now working on a book about the history of welfare politics and policy in New York City.

Professor Main teaches Capstone Seminars in the Marxe School and has written widely for academic journals, political magazines, and newspapers. He holds a BA from the University of Chicago, a two-year MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University.

Education

Ph.D., Politics, Princeton University

MPA II, Public Administration, Harvard Kennedy School of Government Cambridge MA

B.A., Disciplines of the Humanities, University of Chicago

SemesterCourse PrefixCourse NumberCourse Name
Fall 2023PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2023PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2023PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2023PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2022PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2022PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2022PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2022PAF1250Citizenship and Public Affairs
Fall 2021PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2021PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2021PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2021PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2021PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2020PAF1250Citizenship and Public Affairs
Fall 2020PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2020PAF1250Citizenship and Public Affairs
Spring 2020PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2020PAF9145Poverty and Social Policy
Spring 2020PAF3010Race, Inequality, and Public P
Spring 2020PAF1250Citizenship and Public Affairs
Spring 2020PAF4402Survey Research Practicum
Spring 2019PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2019PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2018PAF4402Survey Research Practicum
Fall 2018PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2018PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2017PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2017PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2016PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2016PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2016PAF9312LLegal and Policy Issues in Edu
Summer 2016PAF9319LSchool Finance and Budgeting
Summer 2016PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF
Summer 2016PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2016PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2016PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2015PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2015PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2015PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2015PAF3010Race, Inequality, and Public P
Fall 2014PAF4401Capstone
Fall 2014PAF3010Race, Inequality, and Public P
Fall 2014PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2014PAF3010Race, Inequality, and Public P
Summer 2014PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2014PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2014PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2014PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2013PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2013PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2013PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Spring 2013PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2013PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Spring 2013PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Fall 2012PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Fall 2012PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2012PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2011PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2011PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Spring 2011PAF9180Policy Analysis
Spring 2011PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2010PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2010PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2010PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Spring 2010PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2010PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2009PAF9132Governing New York City
Fall 2009PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2009PAF9699Topics Public Policy
Summer 2009PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF
Summer 2009PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2009PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2009PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2009PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2008PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Summer 2008PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Summer 2008PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF
Spring 2008PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2008PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Spring 2008PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2007PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Fall 2007PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2007PAF4401Capstone
Summer 2007PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Summer 2007PAF9699Topics Public Policy
Summer 2007PAF5452Public Affairs Internship
Spring 2007PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2007PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2007PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Spring 2007PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2006PAF4401Capstone
Fall 2006PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2006PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Summer 2006PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Summer 2006PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Summer 2006PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF
Spring 2006PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2006PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2006PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Fall 2005PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Fall 2005PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Fall 2005PAF4401Capstone
Summer 2005PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Summer 2005PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF
Spring 2005PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2005PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2005PUB1250Pub Adm In Mod Soc
Spring 2005PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Fall 2004PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Fall 2004PAF4401Capstone
Fall 2004PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2004PAF9198Public Affairs Workshop
Summer 2004PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2004PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2004PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2004PAF3201Public Comm and Organizations
Fall 2003PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2003PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2003PAF4401Capstone
Summer 2003PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2003PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2003PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2003PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Fall 2002PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Fall 2002PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Fall 2002PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2002PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2002PAF9100Introduction to Public Affairs
Spring 2002PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2002PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Spring 2002PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2001PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Fall 2001PAF9103Communication Public Settings
Fall 2001PAF9190Public Affairs Capstone Semina
Summer 2001PAF9199Selected Topics In PAF

Books

Main, T. J. (2023). Urban Justice in the 21st Century: Economic Opportunity Policy in New York City Under de Blasio. Ithaca, NY, United States, Cornell University Press. In Progress.

Main, T. J. (2021). "The Rise of Illiberalism". Washington, DC, United States, Brookings Institution Press.

Main, T. J. (2018). The Rise of the Alt-Right. Washington, DC, United States, Brookings Institution Press.

Main, T. J. (2016). Homelessness in New York City: Policymaking from Koch to de Blasio. New York, NY, New York University Press.

Main, T. J. (2013). Is the American Constitution Obsolete?. Carolina Academic Press.

Journal Articles

Main, T. J. (2006). "The Future of the Welfare State and Liberal Political Theory". Perspectives on Political Science , 35(4). 219-224.

Main, T. J. (2006). "Quantum Change in the Fragmented Metropolis: Political Environment and Homeless Policy in New York City". Review of Policy Research, 23(4). 903-913.

Main, T. J. (2005). "Nonincremental Change in an Urban Environment: The Case of New York City's Human Resources Administration". Administration & Society, 37(4). 483-503.

Main, T. J. (1998). "The Heuristics of Homelessness: Balancing Structural and Individual Causes". Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 7(1). 41-54.

Main, T. J. (1997). "Does Political Theory Matter for Policy Outcomes? The Case of Homeless Policy in the 1980s. Public Affairs Quarterly , 11(2). 183-201.

Main, T. J. (1996). "Analyzing Evidence for the Structural Theory of Homelessness". Journal of Urban Affairs, 18(4). 449-457.

Book Chapters

Main, T. J. (2013). "Veneration and Criticism of the American Constitution". (pp. 5-12). Is the American Constitution Obsolete? (Carolian University Press).

Main, T. J. (2005). "Housing the Homeless". In Savas, E. S. (Ed.), Managing Welfare Reform in New York City (pp. 289-298). Rowman & Littlefield.

Tuner, J. A., & Main, T. J. (2001). "Work Experience Under Welfare Reform". In Blank, R., & Haskins, R. (Eds.), (pp. 291-301). Washingtion D.C.. The New Word of Welfare: An Agenda for Reauthorization and Beyond (Washington D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2001).

Main, T. J. (1997). "Shelters for the Homeless Men in New York City: Toward Paternalism Through Privatization". In Mead, L. (Ed.), The New Paternalism: Supervisory Approaches to Poverty (pp. 161-181). Brookings Institution.

Media Contributions

(2020). Matt Lewis and the News podcast.

Nasaw, P., & Main, T. J. (2017). “De Blasio and Homelessness: A New Progressive Mayor Wrestles with an Old Social Problem,” “De Blasio Wrestles with Homelessness—Part Two: Setbacks and Responses,” De Blasio Wrestles with Homelessness—Part Three: Can de Blasio Turn the Tide?.

(2017). CUNY Forum.

(2016). WNYC Radio" The Leonard Lopate Show, “Solving Homelessness in NYC”.

(2016). The Chronicle of Higher Education.

(2016). CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.

(2016). City Journal podcast, “Directionless on Homelessness”.

(2016). NYN Media podcast on homelessness in New York City.

(2016). WNYC Radio: The Brian Lehrer Show, “A History of NYC Homelessness and Mayoral Policy” .

(2016). KQED Forum: “Democratic Leaders Demand Trump Rescind Steve Bannon Appointment”; .

Main, T. J. (2011). "The Constitution and Its Critics", (No. 167 (June/July)).

Presentations

Main, T. J. (2020, February 7). “The Rise of Illiberalism”. Online: New York University Oasis Discussion Group.

Main, T. J. (2017, April 17). “The Continuing Story of Policymaking for the Homeless in New York City,”. Columbia University Seminar on Full Employment, Social Welfare & Equity. New York, NY: Columbia University.

Main, T. J. (2017, March 22). “The Alt-Right: A New Challenge to American Democracy”. Oasis Discussion Group. New York, NY: New York University.

Main, T. J. (2017, February 9). "Homeless Policy in New York City". Homelessness, Crime, and Public Policy Symposium. Riverside, CA: Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies, University of California, Riverside.

Main, T. J. (2016, October 26). "Homeless Policy Under Mayor de Blasio". Affordable Housing and Homelessness in New York City from La Guardia to De Blasio. New York, NY: Gotham Center for New York City History, Graduate Center, CUNY.

Main, T. (2016, January 27). Homelessness Policy in New York City. New York University: Oasis--Academic Discussion Group.

Main, T. (2016, March 16). Can a progressive mayor govern New York City: The case of de Blasio and homeless policy.. SPA Faculty Research Seminar. New York, NY: School of Public Affairs, Baruch College.

Main, T. (2008, May 2). Veneration and Criticism of the Constitution. Is the American Constitution Obsolete?. Baruch College: Free Institutions Program.

Main, T. (2004, April 3). Nonincremental Change in an Urban Environment: The Case of New York City's Human Resources Administration. Urban Affairs Association Annual Meeting. Washington D.C.

Main, T. (2001, February 1). HRA and the Homeless. "Re-engineering HRA". New York City

Turner, J. A., & Main, T. (2001, February 1). Work Experience Programs. New World of Welfare Conference. Washington D.C.: Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan.

Main, T. (2000, March 13). concerning Intro. 354-A, Transitional Employment Program. Testimony before the New York City Council. New York City: Committee on Governmental Operations.

Main, T. (1999, March 31). The Future of the Welfare State and Political Theory. "Liberal Virtue". Havard University Cambridge, MA: Center for American Political Studies.

Hill, M. A., Kaestner, R., & Main, T. (1999, January 31). A Preliminary Evaluation of Welfare-to-Work Programs in New York City. Conference of the American Political Studies. Cambridge MA: Harvard University.

Main, T. (1998, October 31). Panel on Food Stamps Research. Conference of the American Economics Association. New York City

Main, T. (1998, July 14). Poverty in America: Social Responsibility and Self Reliance. 1998 German Fullbright Program. New York University New York City: Multination Institute of American Studies.

Main, T. (1997, November 5). A Tale of Two Cities: Homeless Policy in New York City and Toronto. "Pathways into Homelessness Project". Toronto Canada: Clark Institute of Psychiatry.

Main, T. (1996, October 20). How to Think About Systemic Causes of Homelessness and How Systemic Causes of Homelessness Have Been Thought About. The Systemic Causes of Homelessness. Indiana University, South Bend, IN: School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Main, T. (1996, July 14). Poverty in America: Social Respnsibility and Self Reliance. 1996 German Fullbright Program. New York University New York City: Multinationl Institute of American Studies.

Main, T. (1996, March 4). Welfare Policy in Transition. Panel Discussion Group. New York City: Urban Affairs Association Annual Meeting.

Crystal, S., Yphantides, N. J., & Main, T. (1992, February 28). "Non-sheltered and Sheltered Homeless in a Sunbelt City: Comparison of Health-related and Social Characteristics". American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, 1992. : American Journal of Public Health.

Other Scholarly Works

Main, T. J. (2021). “We Don’t Have an Imperial President but Rather a Muscle-Bound Congress,”.

Main, T. J. (2020). “The Founding Fathers deserve to stand: judge them by the enduring power of their ideas,”.

Main, T. J. (2020). “Guest Blog by Thomas J. Main: ‘All men are created equal,’”.

Main, T. J. (2020). “The Neoprogressive Moment and What to Do with It,”.

Main, T. J. (2020). “The Rhetoric of Treason in Political Discourse,”.

Main, T. J. (2017). "What's the alt-right, and how large is its audience?".

Main, T. J. (2015). "A Failure of Basic Management".

Main, T. J. (2003). "Common Sense on Homeless".

Van Ryzin, G., Kaestner, R., & Main, T. J. (2003). "The Effects of Federal and Local Housing Programs on the Transition from Welfare to Work: Evidence from New York City". 6(2), 45-72.

Main, T. J. (2002). "Closed Doors, Open Season". (Section D), 4.

Main, T. J. (2000). "Bringing Order to Streets". 48.

Main, T. J. (2000). "Gridlock? No! Dueling Parties, a Major Reform". (Section A), 24.

Hill, M. A., & Main, T. J. (1998). Is Welfare Working?: the Massachusetts Reforms Three Years Later. 154 pp..

Main, T. J. (1994). "City Homeless Policy $500M Dead End". 47.

Main, T. J. (1993). "Hard Lessons About Homelessness: The Education of David Dinkins". 30-39.

Main, T. J. (1993). "A Lesson on the Homeless". 23.

Main, T. J. (1988). "What We Know About the Homeless". 26-31.

Main, T. J. (1988). "The Boorish Conservative". 18.

Main, T. J. (1988). "The Wrong Way to Reform" (Review of Rachel and Her Children by Jonathan Kozol). 20.

Main, T. J. (1987). "Why Back to Basics Isn't Good Enough: An Interview with Sidney Hook". 24-28.

Main, T. J. (1986). "Homeless Families in New York City". (Section A), 25.

Main, T. (1986). "The Homeless Families of New York". 3-21.

Main, T. J. (1984). The Egalitarian Illusion.

Main, T. J. (1984). New York City's Lure to the Homeless. 32.

Main, T. J. (1983). Number of "Homeless" has Been Exaggerated. 10A.

Main, T. J. (1983). The Homeless of New York. 3-28.

Reviews

Main, T. J. (2016,August 5). “What police are doing right (and wrong) with the homeless in downtown L.A.”.

Main, T. J. (2016,May 2). "America Needs a Prime Minister". Wall Street Journal.

Main, T. J. (2016,February 25). "No Shelter from the Storm". Wall Street Journal.

Main, T. J. (2015,December 7). "Welfare isn't Dead". New York, NY: City Journal.

Main, T. J. (2013,October 1). "The Rule of Lawlessness". Claremont Review of Books.

Main, T. J. (2003,October 1). "Fearless Sidney Hook". Policy Review .

Main, T. J. (2002,July 1). Seeking the Center: Politics and Policymaking in the New Century. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

Main, T. J. (2001,January 1). "Of Vice and Men". Policy Review .

Main, T. J. (1994,April 18). Homeless, Sweet Homeless. National Review.

Main, T. J. (1988,October 1). The Sisterhood. Commentary.

Main, T. J. (1985,July 1). "Can 'Rights' Reform Social Policy?". The Public Interest.

Main, T. J. (1984,September 1). The Democratic Muse. American Spectator.

Main, T. J. (1983,June 1). Philosophy in the Twentieth Century. American Spectator.

Main, T. J. (1983,January 1). "Naked Lunch and Just Deserts". Chicago Review.

Main, T. J. (1982,July 1). The Religious Future of Liberalism. The Public Interest.

Main, T. J. (1982,January 1). The Road to Policy Analysis. This World.

Research Currently in Progess

Main, T.(n.d.). Illiberalism, Democracy, and their Rhetorical Strategies: An Analysis of Political Discourse in Mass Media. . In Progress.

This book will analyze the intellectual origins of the newly prominent anti-democratic political ideologies of the 21st Century. Proposal now under consideration by the Brookings Institution Press. Draft mss. of 30,000 wds. in progress.

TitleFunding Agency SponsorStart DateEnd DateAwarded DateTotal FundingStatus
Welfare and the Politics of Bureaucracy: How Mayors Manage New York City's Human Resources AdministrationPSC-CUNY 4907/01/201806/30/201904/15/20184530Completed
The Rise of the Alt-Right: A new challenge to DemocracyDemocracy Fund07/01/201708/31/201705/24/201745000Completed
The Rise of the Alt-Right: A New Challenge to American DemocracyPSC-CUNY 4807/01/201706/30/201804/14/201711903.54Completed
Governing the Ungovernable City: Welfare Politics in New YorkAchelis and Bodman Foundations07/01/201612/31/201705/09/201625000Completed
Free Institution ProgramApgar Foundation, Inc.06/23/201006/22/201125000Completed
Testing a structural theory of homelessness using American Housing Survey DataPSC-CUNY 3807/01/200706/30/20083990Completed
CUNY FREE INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM Bodman Foundation 09/01/200412/31/2009125000Completed
Illiberalism, Democracy, and their Rhetorical Strategies: An Analysis of Political Discourse in Mass Media. Institute for Human Studies06/01/202206/30/202310759Funded - In Progress
Illiberalism, Democracy, and their Rhetorical Strategies: An Analysis of Political Discourse in Mass Media. PSC CUNY 5307/01/202212/31/202305/15/202211109.99Funded - In Progress
Honor / AwardOrganization SponsorDate ReceivedDescription
Certificate of RecognitionBaruch College2014Appreciation for 20 years of service
Baruch College Fourth Annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship and Creative AchievementBaruch College2006
Certificate of Recognition for Recipients of Major Institutional Grants for Public ServiceCity University of New York2005
Second Annual Celebration of Faculty Scholarship and Creative Achievement2004
Bradley Fellow (1993-1994)Bradley Foundation1994
Earhart Fellow (1993-1994)Earhart Foundation1994
Bradley Fellow (1992-1993)Bradley Foundation1993
Earhart Fellow (1987-1988)Earhart Foundation1988
Earhart Fellow (1986-1987)Earhart Foundation1987

College

Committee NamePosition RoleStart DateEnd Date
Joint Committee on Academic StandingRepresentativePresent
Academic, Advisory Council of the Bernard L. Schwartz Communication InstituteCommittee MemberPresent
Zicklin Undergraduate Curriculum CommitteeCommittee MemberPresent
Independent Units P&B CommitteeCommittee MemberPresent
Capstone CommitteeCommittee ChairPresent
SPA Personnel and Budget CommitteeCommittee Member8/31/2015
Faculty SenateCommittee Member8/31/2015
SPA Search Committee in CommunicationsCommittee Member6/30/2013
Committee on Undergraudate HonorsCommittee Member6/30/2011
Award Committee, Abraham J. Briloff Prize in EthicsCommittee Member12/31/2010
SPA Admissions Appeals CommitteeCommittee Member9/30/2010
SPA Committee on Academic StandingCommittee Member9/30/2010
College Institutional Review BoardCommittee Member6/30/2010
SPA Search Committee in CommunicationsCommittee Member3/31/2010
Executive Committee of the Faculty SenateCommittee Member12/31/2009
Weissman School Curriculum CommitteeRepresentative12/31/2006
SPA Curriculum CommitteeCommittee Member5/31/2006
SPA Curriculum CommitteeCommittee Member5/31/2001
SPA Search Committee (Outcome: hiring of Neil Bennett and Diane Gibson as SPA faculty)Committee Member12/31/1999
Provost's Communications Project TeamCommittee Member12/31/1998
Faculty Committee on Core Curriculum (Subcommittee on Communication Core Course)12/31/1996
Drafting of Proposal for Center for the Study of Business and GovernmentCommittee Member12/31/1995

Public

OrganizationPosition RoleOrganization StateOrganization CountryStart DateEnd DateAudience
Academic Question, National Association of ScholarsSenior Editor3/1/19908/31/1990
Public InterestManaging Editor9/1/19828/31/1983
A&W PublishersAssistant Editor3/1/19808/31/1981
Chicago ReviewManaging Editor, Fiction Editor7/1/19778/31/1979