Call for Papers:

The Critical Study of Foundations

(As part of the series Studies in Critical Social Science, Brill Academic Press)

 

Edited by:

Michael Barker, Political Science, Griffith University, Australia

Daniel Faber, Sociology, Northeastern University, MA

Joan Roelofs, Political Science, Keene State College, NH

 

Since their creation in the early 20th century, general purpose foundations have been criticized as controlling, dominating, cultural imperialist, and hegemonic.  Radicals have argued that even their most admirable undertakings serve primarily to steer dissent into safe channels and postpone necessary social change.  There have been a few important publications in this vein in recent years, but far more investigation is needed to throw light on the subject (which often prefers to remain in shadow). 

 

This volume seeks contributions on the theme of foundations as hegemonic.  We assume that their programs, investments, ideology, and processes are primarily designed to protect and enhance the wealth and power of the global elite; evidence that supports or challenges this is relevant to our project.  How can their vast power be reconciled with the democratic premises of equality and government by the people?  How do they co-opt movements and dissenters while leaving the unfunded nonconformists to slow extinction?  We welcome contributions from all nations, and concerning varied spheres of life.

 

Some topics include (but are not limited to):

 
  • Higher education
  • K-12 public education
  • political culture and “buzzwords”
  • media, including internet publications
  • International non-governmental organizations, including world social forum
  • International governmental organizations, including the United Nations
  • Civil rights and feminist organizations

 

  • Social service provision
  • Newer foundations, such as Gates
  • Radical foundations
  • Corporate foundations
  • Comparing conservative and liberal foundations
  • Science and environment
  • Investments of foundations
  • Foreign policy

 

Please submit a 500 word title and abstract/proposal by March 1, 2008, outlining the theoretical framework, main points, and methodology of your paper to Joan Roelofs (joan.roelofs@verizon.net). 

 

First drafts of papers will be due August 1, 2008

 

Papers ideally will be no more than 35 pages, written in English, and submitted electronically in Word or RTF format. Guidelines for manuscript preparation can be found at http://www.brill.nl/AuthorsInstructions/SCSS.pdf

 

Questions may be addressed to:  joan.roelofs@verizon.net

 

Studies in Critical Social Science, www.brill.nl/scss