Professor Beitz's philosophical and teaching interests focus on international political theory, democratic theory, the theory of human rights and legal theory. His main works include Political Theory and International Relations and Political Equality: An Essay in Democratic Theory as well as articles on a variety of topics in political philosophy. He coedited International Ethics and Law, Economics, and Philosophy. His current work includes projects on the philosophy of human rights and the theory of intellectual property.

Before coming to Princeton, Professor Beitz taught at Swarthmore College and Bowdoin College, where he was also Dean for Academic Affairs. He has received fellowship awards from the Guggenheim, Rockefeller and MacArthur Foundations, the American Council of Learned Societies and the American Council on Education.

Professor Beitz is the Editor of Philosophy & Public Affairs.