Professor Patapan examines the dynamic tension between the theory and practice of democracy.

His theoretical research includes Machiavelli in Love, an examination of the way Machiavelli inaugurates important aspects of modernity as well as a number of articles in the foremost theory journals (History of Political Thought; Review of Politics; Philosophy and Rhetoric; Contemporary Political Theory) on seminal thinkers including Hobbes,  Montesquieu and Kant Tocqueville, Dicey and Bryce.

These theoretical insights have formed the foundation for his examination of a democratic practice, especially the role of institutions, constitutionalism, and leadership shape policy making. Judging Democracy, is a seminal book on the Australian High Court and its role in shaping Australian democracy. Westminster Legacies, is a co-edited collection on constitutionalism in the Asia. A series of co-edited books (Dissident Democracy; Political Legitimacy in Asia) have examined the role of leadership and legitimacy in Asia. More recently the co-edited books (Dispersed Democratic Leadership; Good Democratic Leadership) and a major co-authored book The Democratic Leader has led the field in the study of democratic leadership.

Professor Patapan is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia.

He is Professorial Fellow, College of Comparative Law, China University of Political Science and Law and on the Advisory Board, Centre for East Asian and Contemporary Philosophy, City University of Hong Kong.

He is Editorial Advisory Committee Member, Australian Journal of Political Science and Editorial Member, Policy Design and Practice.

His research has been supported by a number of Australian Research Council Grants.

It has also been acknowledged by awards and fellowships. These include Isaac Manasseh Meyer Fellowship (National University of Singapore); Fulbright Senior Fellowship (Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School); Australian Prime Ministers Centre Fellowship (Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House) Mayer Prize (with J. Kane; Australian Political Studies Association Prize for the best article published in the Australian Journal of Political Science in 2010); Griffith Business School Award for Research Excellence; William E. and Frederick C. Mosher Award (with J. Kane; American Society for Public Administration award for best article in Public Administration Review in 2006); Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Queensland University of Technology); Open Fellowship and International Student Fellowship (University of Toronto);  Junior Fellow (Massey College, University of Toronto).