Jerry Fincher Hough (1935-2020) was a prominent American political scientist specializing in Soviet and Russian studies, as well as domestic American politics. He served as the James B. Duke Professor of Political Science at Duke University, where he taught and researched extensively on the Soviet Union, the democratization of Russia, and American nation-building efforts. Hough was affiliated with the Brookings Institution and was known for his contributions to the 'revisionist school' of Soviet history, which argued that the level of terror under Joseph Stalin was exaggerated and that the Soviet system was institutionally weak during that era. His work emphasized nuanced views of Soviet reforms, challenging traditional Cold War narratives by highlighting institutional and economic dynamics.

Throughout his career, Hough focused on the interplay between long-term economic development and political institutions. He authored numerous books and articles on these topics, including analyses of Soviet governance and post-Soviet transitions. In his later years, particularly in the final decade of his life, Hough shifted attention to the American experience to better understand state-building, markets, and democracies, exploring how stable institutions could be created and maintained. His research bridged comparative politics and international relations, influencing scholarly debates on authoritarianism and democratization.

Hough's legacy lies in his advocacy for more balanced interpretations of Soviet history and his interdisciplinary approach to political science. He passed away in 2020, leaving a significant body of work that continues to inform studies on Russia and American political development.