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Bruce Bueno de Mesquita (born November 24, 1946) is an American political scientist and author, recognized for his contributions to the fields of international relations and political economy. He is currently the Julius Silver Professor of Politics at New York University and a Senior Fellow Emeritus at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Bueno de Mesquita is known for developing the selectorate theory, which analyzes how political leaders maintain power by catering to their essential supporters.

He co-authored the bestselling book The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior Is Almost Always Good Politics (2011) with Alastair Smith, which explores the motivations behind political behavior in both authoritarian and democratic regimes. His work emphasizes that leaders prioritize their own survival over national interests.

Bueno de Mesquita has advised governments and corporations through his consulting firm, Selectors, LLC, applying his game-theoretic models to complex negotiations and conflict resolution. He has received multiple honorary degrees and accolades for his research, including the DMZ Peace Prize in Korea. He holds degrees from Queens College and the University of Michigan, where he earned his MA and PhD.