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Omar Encarnacion, Bard College, encarna@bard.edu

Fewer, if any, of APSA sections lend themselves better to exploring the theme of "Politics in Motion" than comparative democratization. At the very heart of the study of the so-called "Third Wave of Democratization"-the global wave of democratic transitions that swept through Iberian Europe, South America and the former Communist world during the twilight of the 20th century-is in fact the notion of politics in motion. The phrase is most aptly applied to the resurgence of interest in civil society in the process of democratization, from the laudable--the influence of strikes and mass demonstrations in creating democratic openings where none were expected; to the worrisome--the robust rise of citizens' organizations espousing violent tactics in their pursuit of political goals and their contribution to the rise of illiberal polities across the democratizing world.

The desired approach for papers and panels to be considered by the comparative democratization section will be a broad and reflective one, incorporating such concerns as (1) How have the social movements and citizens' groups born or created during the transition to democracy (unions, charities, human rights organizations, and indigenous groups, to name just a few) fared in the post-transition era? (2) What contributions have these groups made to the texture of mass politics that has consolidated across new democracies? (3) Which political and social factors have determining whether or not a democratic public life has been successfully created? (4) Why has the expansion of civil society stagnated in the face of expanded civil and political rights in many newly democratic contexts? (5) What is the legacy of the international community's infatuation with civil society in the process of democratization?

Of course, papers, panels, and roundtables on topics other than the conference theme are welcome as long as they conform to the general parameters of the study of comparative democratization, especially if they bring a novel or experimental approach.