Karl Deutsch

Karl Wolfgang Deutsch (1912–1992) was a Czech-born American political scientist whose work helped shape the study of nationalism, political integration, and the role of communication in politics. Born in Prague, he later emigrated to the United States and became a leading figure in postwar political science. Deutsch is widely associated with communication theory approaches to political and social organization, emphasizing information flows, learning, and feedback in governing systems. He also developed influential ideas about international integration, including the concept of “security communities,” describing groups of states among which war becomes unlikely. His scholarship bridged comparative politics and international relations and remains widely cited.