Michael Signer

Michael Signer is the author of the book, Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from its Worst Enemies, a study of the cycle of democracies and the dangers posed by demagogues. Signer chairs the Progressive Policy Institute's E3 Initiative, which focuses moving the United States to a postcarbon energy economy in order to safeguard our national security; protect our natural environment; and spur a new generation of sustainable growth. Signer was a candidate for the 2009 Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia, running on a platform that included substantial promotion of green tech and environmental protection. He previously served as deputy counselor to Governor Mark Warner (D-VA) in Richmond and was the chief foreign policy advisor to the 2008 presidential campaign of John Edwards. Signer recently served as Senior Policy Advisor at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and as Senior National Security Policy Fellow at Third Way. He is a principal of the Truman National Security Project and an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.