34th Annual Conference of the Atlantic Provinces Political Science Association (APPSA) Democracy’s Shifting Shorelines: Representation, Citizenship & Governance

Dates: October 3-5, 2008
Proposal Deadline: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Location:  Department of Political Science, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Democracy. One could argue that it is second only to the term power in spanning the range of fields, perspectives and research interests in the discipline of Political Science. From Political Theory and Women, Gender and Politics, to Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, democracy as a specific and general problématique has motivated significant segments of the discipline. Whether quantitative or qualitative, critical or prescriptive, the ideals, principles, institutions and processes of democracy draw together a wide range of research areas, including:

    * Classical, Modern & Postmodern theories of democracy & representation
    * Constitutional, institutional & electoral reform
    * Policy studies & analyses
    * Emerging forms of transnational & cosmopolitan democratic practices
    * Civil society, social movements & democracy
    * Challenges of under & misrepresentation
    * Comparative lessons & models of democracy
    * Democratic challenges & the politics of contestation
    * Social inclusion/ exclusion & social cohesion

From some perspectives, contemporary democracy is at its lowest ebb, with, for example, partisan political participation rates plummeting and resurgent forms of securitization challenging citizenship norms. From other vantage points, democracy is at its highest tide with, for instance, new forms of transnational activism challenging established patterns of domestic and international politics, or with debates surrounding the “third wave” of democratization.

This year’s APPSA conference, hosted by the Department of Political Science, Saint Mary’s University, will explore these and other related themes and will figure as the signature academic event in the year long festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of representative democracy in Nova Scotia. It will be co-sponsored by the Democracy 250 Committee of the Nova Scotia legislature and will provide an academic setting to reflect on the past, present and future of the democratic adventure.

We invite scholars, practitioners, activists and students to submit paper & panel proposals on the themes of democracy, representation, citizenship and governance. Some funds will be available to facilitate the participation of Ph.D student paper-givers.

For more information please contact co-chairs Alexandra Dobrowolsky adobrowolsky@smu.ca or Marc Doucet marc.doucet@smu.ca.

Please submit paper & panel proposals (500 word maximum) to: colleen.devereaux@smu.ca (Fax: 902.420.5181).

Deadline for proposals: Thursday, July 31, 2008