<b><a href="http://politics.as.nyu.edu/object/georgedowns">George W. Downs</a></b> is an eminent American political scientist. He has been a professor of politics at New York University since 1998, where he served as Dean of Social Science from 2001 to 2009. Previously he served as Boswell Professor of Peace and War at Princeton University from 1987 to 1998. His books include <i>Optimal Imperfection?</i> (1995) and <i>The Search for Government Efficiency: From Hubris to Helplessness</i> (1986). He holds a bachelor's degree from <a href="http://shimer.edu">Shimer College</a> and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. (from <a href="http://shimercollege.wikia.com/George_W._Downs">Shimer College Wiki</a>)