Hyein Yang
Name Pronunciation: Hyein (Hayne), Yang (Yahng)
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I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions (CSDI) at Vanderbilt University. I received my Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University. I study the American presidency and executive politics, federalism, and judicial politics.
My research examines how state-level actors can check presidential power within the vertical checks and balances system, focusing on State Attorneys General (AGs) and litigation. My job market paper received both the APSA Law and Courts Best Conference Paper Award and Best Graduate Student Paper Award. Across three papers, I examine the conditions under which state AGs more actively use litigation to challenge presidential policy initiatives, the electoral consequences of their active legal challenges against out-party presidents, and how their litigation shapes public opinion toward unilateralism.
You can reach me out through my E-mail or Calendly.
Here's my CV.
Research
Peer-Reviewed Publication
"Legal Constraint through Political Means? Legal Foundations and Public Supports for Executive Action"
Aaron Childree, Hyein Yang, and Douglas Kriner, The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization (2025)
Working Papers
Drafts available upon request.
"State Attorneys General as Vertical Checks: Partisan and Institutional Dynamics in Legal Challenges" (Job Market Paper)
"Legal Battles Against the President: Are State Attorneys General Rewarded in Primary Elections?"
"State Attorneys General and Lawsuits: Do Legal Challenges Shape Public Opinion on Unilateralism?"
Work in Progress
"Legal Cooperation in the Vertical Checks and Balances System: Network Analysis of State Attorneys General and Multi-state Litigation."
"How Does a Presidential Partisan Shift Shape Public Views on Federal, State and Local Government?" (with Douglas Kriner)
Teaching
Cornell University
GOVT 2162 US Public Opinion (with Dr. Talbot Andrews), Spring 2026
GOVT 3161 The American Presidency (with Dr. Douglas Kriner), Spring 2024
GOVT 3032 Politics of Public Policy (with Dr. Jamila Michener), Fall 2023
GOVT 1111 Introduction to American Government and Politics (with Dr. Suzanne Mettler), Fall 2022, 2025
GOVT 1313 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics (with Dr. Nicolas van de Walle), Spring 2022, 2023
Korean Language Across the Curriculum, (Main Instructor), Spring 2022, 2024
GOVT 3112 Congress and the Legislative Process (with Dr. David Bateman), Fall 2021
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