Raymond A. Smith is an adjunct assistant professor of political science at Columbia University and New York University as well as a senior fellow with the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. He has written or co-authored numerous books, including most recently "Importing Democracy: Ideas from Around the World to Reform and Revitalize American Politics and Government." He is also the editor of a three-volumen book titled "Global HIV/AIDS Politics, Policy, and Activism: Persistent Challenges and Emerging Issues."

Smith has an M.A. in international relations from Yale University and a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University, with an emphasis on American politics.