7: Politics and History

Bruce Miroff, University at Albany, SUNY, miroff@albany.edu
Nicole Mellow, Williams College, nmellow@williams.edu

We welcome papers and panels that bring historical and developmental perspectives to bear on the conference theme of representation and renewal. This includes investigations into changes in modes (e.g., mass parties, interest groups) or practices (e.g., electoral reforms, protest movement activity) of societal representation, as well as examinations of the functioning and robustness of representative institutions over time. Analyses of the relationship between representation and factors such as economic instability or change, social group conflict, external threat, or change in media and technology are encouraged. We especially invite comparative historical work on the sources, nature, developmental path, and success of demands for greater representation in sub-national or national governments, or international bodies. Also in this vein, we are interested in historical investigations of the intellectual conflicts that have shaped ideals of representation in different polities. Beyond these themes, we welcome innovative papers on topics of broad and enduring interest to historical and developmental scholarship.