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15Sep 2017

CfP IPSA World Congress Brisbane 2018- Panel: “Institutional mimesis or instrumental rationalism? Rights-based supranational citizenship in regional integration organizations”

CfP IPSA World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane 2018

Panel title: “Institutional mimesis or instrumental rationalism? Rights-based supranational citizenship in regional integration organizations”

Panel chairs: Prof Carlos Closa (IPP, Spanish National Research Council) and Dr Daniela Vintila (CEDEM, University of Liege)

Panel description: Despite its apparent singularity, the EU citizenship is not the only case of supranational construction of rights within a regional organization. Other organizations such as MERCOSUR, CAN, UNASUR or ECOWAS have created a set of rights (free movement, social, political or economic entitlements) that compose a similar configuration of supranational citizenship. There are several reasons for which regional organizations could decide to grant citizens’ rights at the supranational level. First, rational choice theory argues that actors choose instrumentally those policies that are more suitable for their political objectives. Drawing on this rationale, the institutionalization of supranational citizenship could respond to the functional needs of certain organizations of deepening into regional cooperation beyond a purely economic rationale; and it could further strengthen their democratic component by boosting their legitimacy towards the people they represent (vertical legitimacy) and other organizations sharing similar integration objectives (horizontal legitimacy). Secondly, diffusion theory suggests that organizations often tend to adopt or replicate certain policies in the attempt to mimic their peers. Yet, diffusion does not mean a literal translation of the diffused policies as the later often decouple themselves from the original model when entering the environment of the receiving organization. This panel examines the reasons behind these institutional configurations of rights-based citizenship in regional organizations, also paying attention to the patterns of domestic implementation of specific sets of rights. Comparative papers that question the singularity/commonality among these forms of citizenship, especially when compared to the EU case, are particularly welcome.

The paper proposals should be sent via email to Carlos Closa (carlos.closa@csic.es) and Daniela Vintila (Daniela.Vintila@ulg.ac.be) by 1st of October 2017 (midnight GMT). The paper proposals should include the title of the paper (no more than 25 words) and the abstract (no more than 350 words). For more information about the congress, please visit: https://wc2018.ipsa.org/events/congress/wc2018/home

22Dec 2016

CfP International Conference "Rethinking governance in an era of global insecurities, regional tensions and rising nationalism", July 17-19, University of Melbourne

Call for Papers International Conference "Rethinking governance in an era of global insecurities, regional tensions and rising nationalism", July 17-19, University of Melbourne: http://www.eucentre.unimelb.edu.au/events/rethinking-governance/

The  study  of  regional  governance  has  gained  momentum  in  recent  years.  The  European  Union,  often  regarded  as  the  preeminent  regional  body  is  perceived  as  not  only  being  in  crisis  but  on  the  verge  of  disintegration.  At  the  same  time,  regional  bodies  such  as  the  Association  of  Southeast  Asian  Nations  (ASEAN)  have  been  seeking  to  deepen  their  patterns  of  regional  cooperation,  though  also  experiencing  challenges  with  the  process  of  regional  integration.  Emerging  powers  in  the  global  context  and  shifting  power  dynamics  of  the  US  and  China  suggest  greater  complexity  in  tackling  global  challenges.  The  uncertainly  following  the  election  of  Donald  Trump as the next US President, the  shifting  power  dynamics  of  Russia  and  China,  and  rising  populism  all  point  to insecurities  at  the regional  and  national levels.

In the face of a strategic shift in the balance of power in international relations, might regional cooperation provide a means to manage global challenges? How might territorial disputes, nationalism, Brexit, a US ‘retreat’ and populism be tackled? These and other issues will be examined and rigorously debated. The conference is open to academics, policy makers and practitioners from across discipline areas and to interested members of the public.

Themes to be examined at the conference will include:

  1. Brexit and beyond
  2. The power of populism and nationalism
  3. Tackling global challenges: Regional solutions?
    1. Climate change
    2. Terrorism
    3. Poverty and development
    4. Refugee crisis
  4. Security, instability and conflict
  5. The EU-Australia relationship
  6. Global trade and contestation
  7. Economic crises and wealth disparities
  8. Drivers of integration and disintegration in regional bodies
  9. Assessing the EU Global Strategy
  10. Awkward states in regionalism

The EU Centre is now accepting panel proposals and papers. Submit by 20 February 2017 to Prof Philomena Murray, Jean Monnet Chair ad personam and EU Centre Research Director, Regional Governance.
Email: pbmurray@unimelb.edu.au

 

22Sep 2016

Call for Papers EUSA Fifteenth Biennial Conference, May 4-6 2017, Miami

Call for Papers EUSA Fifteenth Biennial Conference, May 4-6 2017, Miami

Panel: “Rights and belonging: EU citizenship and other configurations of supranational citizenship”

Chair: Prof Carlos Closa (Spanish National Research Council)

Abstract: Despite its apparent singularity, the EU citizenship is not the only case of supranational construction of rights and belonging within a regional organization. Other organizations such as Mercosur, CAN, Unasur or Ecowas have created a set of rights that together compose a similar configuration of supranational citizenship and, at the same time, they have also developed a narrative on the sense of “belonging” to the regional group. This panel examines this diversity of institutional configurations from two dominant (although not exclusive) approaches. On the one hand, comparative perspectives will allow to question the singularity/commonality among these forms of citizenship and, in this sense, the panel will contribute to the more general discussion on EU comparability. On the other hand, supranational citizenship offers an excellent empirical ground for a new test of the theoretical debate between functionalist and diffusionist approaches to the design of institutions (i.e. has EU citizenship inspired the creation of other models of supranational citizenship or do these respond to autonomous functional needs?). The panel welcomes papers focusing on the aggregate level (i.e. conceptions of supranational citizenship and the host of rights comprised there within), disaggregate level (i.e. configurations of specific set of supranational rights) or the national level (i.e. national implementation of specific rights).

The abstract of the paper proposals (max. 500 words; please include title, name and institutional affiliation) should be sent via email to Prof Carlos Closa: carlos.closa@csic.es. The deadline for submitting the paper proposals is Monday, 26th of September 2016.

31Aug 2016

"Secession from a Member State and EU Membership: the View from the Union" by Carlos Closa

 Carlos Closa (2016). Secession from a Member State and EU Membership: the View from the Union. European Constitutional Law Review, 12, pp 240-264. doi:10.1017/S1574019616000146.

Abstract: Arguments in favour of a more explicit and clearer EU stance on secession from a member state – two different cases for secession and their implications – the inadmissibility of unilateral secession within the EU – consensual secession does not create a legal entitlement for automatic membership – the need to follow the route of Article 49 TEU – no need for a specific secession provision in EU treaties

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=10475548&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S1574019616000146

17Aug 2016

Members of the IPSA RC03 Executive Board

During the 25th World Congress of Political Science held in Brisbane (Australia), the members of IPSA RC03 elected a new Executive Board for the term 2018-2020. The new members are:

  1. Hans-Jörg Trenz (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) Chair  
  2. Sophie Meunier (Princeton University, US) Vice-Chair
  3. Daniela Vintila (University of Liege, Belgium) Vice-Chair and Secretary
  4. Adam Szymański (University of Warsaw, Poland)
  5. Benjamin Zyla (University of Ottawa, Canada)
  6. Francesco Violi (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK)
  7. Tamara Tubakovic (University of Melbourne, Australia)
  8. Charlotte Galpin (University of Birmingham, UK)

 

Former board members (term 2016-2018): Carlos Closa (Spanish National Research Council, IPP-CSIC, Spain); Philomena Murray (University of Melbourne, Australia); Amy Verdun (University of Victoria, Canada); Yvonne Gallighan (Queen’s University Belfast, UK); Ken Endo (Hokkaido University, Japan); Hans-Jörg Trenz (University of Copenhagen, Denmark); Simona Piattoni (University of Trento, Italy); Daniela Vintila (University of Leicester, UK); Hartmut Mayer (University of Oxford, UK); Adam Szymański (University of Warsaw, Poland); Przemysław Biskup (University of Warsaw, Poland)

12Aug 2016

Our mission

The Research Committee investigates all issues related to the process of European integration and EU politics. This comprises inter alia theories of integration, public policy in the EU, multilevel governance, EU legitimacy and democracy, etc. Necessarily, the group keeps a pluralistic epistemological and methodological attitude and contributions from different approaches are always welcome. A basic tenet of the RC03 is that the study of EU integration, policies and politics can be approached from the conceptual, methodological and epistemological tools provided by political science sub-disciplines, such as comparative politics or political theory. This presupposes an open attitude to cooperate with other IPSA RCs. Moreover, the study of regional integration is not a phenomenon limited to Europe: similar processes can be identified elsewhere and, because of this, the RC stimulates engaging with comparative regionalism.

15Jul 2016

Message from the IPSA RC03 Chair: Important meeting in Poznań- July 27, Poznań Congress Center, Pavilion 14 (PCC-14) - 3.B

Dear members of IPSA RC03 and participants in the 2016 RC03 Sessions at the IPSA World Congress,

The time for the IPSA World Congress is approaching fast and I am looking forward to meet all of you there. RC03 will hold a business meeting on the 27th July, at 15:30, in Poznań Congress Center, Pavilion 14 (PCC-14) - 3.B. You are all invited to attend this important meeting.

RC03 needs to renew its Executive Board. Currently, the EB of RC03 consists of Chair (Carlos Closa) Vice-Chair (Amy Verdum) and six members (Sergio Fabbrini, Yvonne Galligan, Berthold Rittberger, Thomas Christiansen, Sophie Meunier Aitsahalia, Ken Endo, Caroline della Porte and Philomena Murray). Anyone who volunteers for servicing at the Board, please, let me know (dropping an email). RC03 membership changes between each WC, so please, bear in mind that members of the EB are expected, at a minimum, to attend the next WC to be held in 2018 in Australia and to organize at least a panel there. Please, do also bear in mind that these are not paid positions and no travel or events budget is available under RC03.

Looking forward to meet all of you in Poznan,

Carlos Closa.

15Jul 2016

List of IPSA RC03 Panels- 24th World Congress of Political Science, July 23-28, 2016 | Poznań, Poland

List of IPSA RC03 Panels- 24th World Congress of Political Science, Poznań 2016:

15Jul 2016

REMINDER: Registration Deadline for Research Methods Courses - July 15

This is the final reminder for those who are interested in Research Method Courses (RMC). The extended registration deadline is July 15, 2016.

Registration details are available on  Research Method Courses page. One-day research methods courses (RMC) will be offered on July 23, the day before the IPSA World Congress at the Morasko Campus of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. These courses offer state of the art information about recent advances in research methods in different fields. They should bring together both junior and senior scholars interested in these fields and their recent developments enhancing their respective research networks.

15Jul 2016

New Options on the IPSA Profile: Membership Status

We are pleased to announce that the IPSA online profile now features new options. From now on, you can consult the IPSA online profile section marked “My Membership”/ “Status & Benefits” to find the following:

  • Membership status: See what type of membership you have and when it expires;
  • See if you are subscribed to the International Political Science Abstracts and print versions of World Political Science and the International Political Science Review;
  • Consult your membership receipt;
  • See all your member benefits and access publisher discounts;Get your exclusive course code for the IPSAMOOCS.
     
  • http://www.ipsa.org/news/news/new-options-ipsa-profile-membership-status

25Mar 2016

BOOK: "Reinforcing Rule of Law Oversight in the European Union" by Carlos Closa and Dimitry Kochenov

This book provides the definitive reference point on all the issues pertaining to dealing with the 'crisis of the rule of law' in the European Union. Both Member State and EU levels are considered. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the concrete legal bases and instruments that the EU may avail itself of for enforcing rule of law, and the volume clearly demonstrates that a number of legally sound ways of rule of law oversight are available. Contributors are leading scholars who assess the potential role to be played by the various bodies in the context of dealing with the EU's rule of law imperfections.

http://www.cambridge.org/es/academic/subjects/law/european-law/reinforcing-rule-law-oversight-european-union?format=HB&isbn=9781107108882

  • Contains a clear catalogue of all the key means available to boost member state's compliance with the rule of law, appealing to scholars and policy-makers studying the issues of rule of law enforcement in the EU
  • Includes contributions from the foremost specialists in rule of law enforcement, giving readers access to the most relevant and informed research
  • Boasts a clear and balanced analysis, tailored to solve the problems outlined, and discusses concrete solutions for the practical problems the EU is facing

25Mar 2016

Poznań will host the 24th IPSA World Congress of Political Science

The IPSA Executive Committee has selected the historic city of Poznań as the new host city for the 24th IPSA World Congress of Political Science to be held at the Poznań Congress Center from 23 to 28 of July, 2016. It will be the first IPSA World Congress to be held in Eastern Europe.

http://wc2016.ipsa.org/events/congress/wc2016/news/pozna%C5%84-will-host-24th-ipsa-world-congress-political-science

Please note that the main theme of the Congress will not change and all accepted panels and papers will be maintained in what is an outstanding Congress Program.

Congress Registration

Early-bird registration for WC2016 is available until April 13. ALL participants, including session chairs, panel chairs, discussants and paper givers, must register to attend the congress. All participants must be IPSA members in order to register.

Registration details are available on the IPSA Congress registration page.

Refund Policy

All cancellations must be sent in writing to the IPSA Secretariat at wc2016@ipsa.org

If you completed your registration before 25 February 2016 and no longer wish to attend the Congress, we will refund 100% of your registration fee.
Please note: membership fees are non-refundable. New and renewed membership will continue to be valid, even if registration to the World Congress is cancelled.

The regular Refund Policy will apply to registrations completed after 25 February 2016.

Flights

Please check with your airline for options on cancellation or change of destination. Your credit card provider may also offer Trip Cancellation insurance. Unfortunately, IPSA is unable to offer refunds for flights that have already been booked to Istanbul.

Cancellations and Withdrawals

If you can no longer participate in the IPSA World Congress and wish to withdraw your name from the program, please notify us by sending an email to wc2016@ipsa.org

25Mar 2016

Jean Monnet Module at the Law School of UCLan Cyprus under the Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020

UCLan Cyprus is happy to announce the commencement of a Jean Monnet Module entitled "The Law of Financial and Economic Governance in the EU" run by Dr. Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou of the School of Law as Module Leader and Academic Coordinator. The University was among the successful candidates selected by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Union to run Jean Monnet Activities at prestigious institutions in the field of European integration around the world for the period 2014-2017. It is also the first time that a Jean Monnet Module is offered by a law school in Cyprus. The Module aims at developing a specialised and unique focus in EU law, within the framework of the LLM curriculum delivered by the School of Law. This focus will be based primarily upon research-informed teaching on the law and governance of finance and economic policy in the EU, in the global and multidimensional context of the financial and sovereign debt crisis in the EU and beyond, and will promote an interdisciplinary approach. New technologies will be used throughout and include a whole range of online support tools available on campus and remotely. This module will also give the opportunity to students, professionals and the wider public to take part in expert seminars, guest lectures, roundtable discussions and a conference on the topic, as well as to contribute to an open access online platform, to be created and supported by the Module.

http://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/en/news/latest-news/jean-monnet-module-law-school-uclan-cyprus-under-erasmus-programme-2014-2020/

26Feb 2016

CfA: Berlin Summer School in Social Sciences 2016

The "Berlin Summer School in Social Sciences – Linking Theory and Empirical Research" seeks to promote young researchers by strengthening their methodological understanding in linking theory and empirical research.

"The summer school consists of a two-week program with varied teaching and learning formats. While in the first week we tackle the key methodological challenges that arise in almost all research efforts, the second week is devoted to their consideration within concrete fields of social research. The modules of the first and second week follow a certain didactical course respectively.

Each module of the first week starts with a double lecture reflecting different or complementary methodological positions on the issue under consideration - represented by two international experts in each case who will also briefly comment on each others approach. In the next step participants work on assignments in four smaller groups and discuss the lectures. This is followed by two workshops in two groups with the respective lecturers that focus on the implications for research designs. Here, the lectures and assignments can be discussed with the lecturers more deeply. Each module ends with an offer for short one-to-one consultations with the respective lecturers. Each participant can have at least one consultation within the first week.

The modules of the second week are taking two steps within each thematic group of participants. In the first step the Berlin-based experts give an introduction that relates the considerations of the first week to the respective substantial field of research. In the second, all participants have the opportunity to present and discuss their current research project in depth and to receive feedback and hands-on advice for the methodological challenges arising in their research."

http://www.berlinsummerschool.de/program/overview/

 

05Oct 2015

News: Extended deadline for closed panel submission IPSA World Congress on Political Science 2016- OCTOBER 14

News - EXTENDED DEADLINE - You have until OCTOBER 14 to Submit your Closed Panel/Paper Proposal for WC2016/REPORT DE LA DATE LIMITE - Vous avez maintenant jusqu'au 14 OCTOBRE pour soumettre votre proposition de panel fermé/communication pour le WC2016 http://ift.tt/1j9GJui

04Oct 2015

CfP Panel on “The Euro-crisis and European identity: changes and dynamics on the demos-to-be”, IPSA World Congress of Political Science, July 23-28, 2016

Call for Papers: “The Euro-crisis and European identity: changes and dynamics on the demos-to-be”, IPSA World Congress of Political Science, July 23-28, 2016

Panel chair: Simona Guerra, University of Leicester

Abstract: Although analyses have found that the economic crisis is not a source of Euroscepticism, positive attitudes are declining in countries suffering most from it. Concurrently, trust towards the EU has halted at very low levels, 31% (EB81 2014, 9), and turnout at the 2014 European Parliament (EP) elections decreased to 42.61% (it was 53% in 2009 and EP official data reported a few percentages up to 43.09% until the end of June 2014). As Paul Taggart and Aleks Szczerbiak underline, despite the current crisis can enrich these EP elections with more Europe, it is important to distinguish the crisis, a general economic crisis, a specific euro crisis and the domestic contexts (2014). Addressing the crisis, the decreasing level of turnout and low trust for the EU institution, this panel ‘looks out for’ the impact of the Euro-crisis on European identity. We invite submissions discussing the limits of the concept, the debates underlying its notion and discourse, studies on the relationship between national and European identity, and analyses on functional and affective dimensions, cross-border interaction and cognitive mobilization, and addressing the impact, if any, of the Euro-crisis.

Deadline: October 7th 2015.

For further information, please contact Dr. Simona Guerra (gs219@leicester.ac.uk).

21Sep 2015

"Routledge Handbook of European Elections"- Edited by Donatella M. Viola

The Routledge Handbook of European Elections, edited by Donatella M Viola and foreworded by J.H.H. Weiler, explores the multifaceted dimension of the European Parliament’s (EP) electoral contests across the European Community and European Union since 1979. After setting a general empirical and theoretical framework, this collaborative project presents original contributions from 
leading experts in the field. Each case study adheres to a common template that makes it easy to compare data, methodology and outcomes.

The volume aims to enhance readers’ understanding of the European Parliament and revive their interest in the European integration
process. By providing a wide range of national and European facts and figures, this investigation represents a comprehensive reference guide to scholars, practitioners and students of the European Parliament, European elections, political parties, European Union, comparative politics.

https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415592031

 

01Sep 2015

Two-year postdoc fellowship, Scuola Normale Superiore, Florence

Two-year postdoc fellowship, Scuola Normale Superiore, Florence

Application deadline: 11 September 2015

Requirements: Knowledge of content and text analysis and ability to 
develop computer-assisted analyses

Details here: http://www.sns.it/en/servizi/job/assegnidiricerca/assegno377/

18Aug 2015

Call for panels and papers for the Section on ‘Memories, identities and narratives of Europe’, 8th Pan-European Conference on the European Union

Call for panels and papers for the Section on ‘Memories, identities 
and narratives of Europe’ for the 8th Pan-European Conference on the 
European Union, ‘The Union’s Institutional and Constitutional 
Transformations: Stress or Adaptation?’, University of Trento, Italy, 
16-18 June 2016

Section 13. Memories, identities and narratives of Europe

Section chairs: Carlos Closa (EUI, carlos.closa@eui.eu) and Vincent 
della Sala (University of Trento, vincenzo.dellasala@unitn.it)

The narrative turn in the social sciences has also had an impact on 
the study of the construction of identities and memory in the European 
Union as well as on the integration process itself. The recent 
interest in the construction of a European identity pushed us to look 
to the ways in which the European Union has or may become a ‘normal’ 
form of governing or,  on the contrary, this construction still 
clashes with national memories, narratives and identities. 
Particularly after the 2004 enlargement, ‘memory politics’ gained 
greater visibility in EU politics, prompted by debates on diverging 
interpretations of the past and concomitant debates on recognition. 
These debates intersect with narratives of the EU and its mission and 
with conceptions of European identity.

This section aims at examining the role that memory and narratives 
play in EU politics and policies. By ‘memory’ is meant both the EU 
attempt to root policies and politics on its own past as well as the 
struggles of member states and/or specific constituencies to insert 
their own memory experiences at the EU level. ‘Narratives’ refer to 
the discourses constructed by actors (at both national, subnational 
and EU level), such as the EU Commission sponsored New narrative for 
Europe or the New Schumann Declaration (2015), justifying (or, 
conversely, undermining) the EU and its very role. The third dimension 
of this section refers to EU ‘identity’ and its relation with EU 
citizenship and/or national citizenship.

We invite proposals of panels and papers that explore the ways in 
which Europe has been constructed through the use of memory, identity 
and/or narrative. Contributions can be conceptual and exploratory, 
looking for ways in which we might understand the role and 
construction of memory, identity and/or narratives, as well as 
empirical in focus.
Section available at:

http://ecpr.eu/Events/SectionDetails.aspx?SectionID=490&EventID=105

Deadlines and key dates available at: 
http://ecpr.eu/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=105

18Aug 2015

Call for panels and papers for the Section on ‘Euroscepticism and the rise of EU contestation’, 8th Pan-European Conference on the European Union

Call for panels and papers for the Section on ‘Euroscepticism and the 
rise of EU contestation’ for the 8th Pan-European Conference on the 
European Union, ‘The Union’s Institutional and Constitutional 
Transformations: Stress or Adaptation?’, University of Trento, Italy, 
16-18 June 2016

Section 14. Euroscepticism and the rise of EU contestation

Section Chairs: Simona Guerra, University of Leicester (gs219@leicester.ac.uk), Hans-Jörg 
Trenz, University of Copenhagen (trenz@hum.ku.dk).

The image of the EU across public opinion has been viewing increasing 
negative evaluations, since the economic and financial crisis hit its 
peak, in 2010 and 2011.  The crisis has affected public attitudes and 
perceptions of legitimacy and identity, but it has also mobilized 
political parties and citizens in opposition to the EU. Although 
opposition towards the EU has been pitched as a temporary phenomenon, 
it has now become a distinctive characteristic of the EU integration 
process, described as ‘embedded’, pervasive and enduring. 
Euroscepticism, as outright and contingent opposition, has become 
structured in terms of party alignment, negative attitudes and 
cleavages. Yet, at the domestic levels, the Eurosceptic opposition 
takes different colours and chooses different targets and strategies. 
This Section invites panel proposals that address different forms of 
Euroscepticism and the roles of political and social actors involved, 
in particular:

1.     Who/What drives political opposition towards the EU?

2.     How is Euroscepticism manifested in political contestation 
through political parties and the citizens domestically and in a 
transnational, comparative perspective? (e.g. in national and 2014 
European Parliament elections?)

3.     How does the (re)politicization of European integration 
restructure the political landscape of the EU and its member states in 
terms of conflicts, cleavages and identities?

4.     How do the media (new and old) contribute to the expression of 
Euroscepticism?

5.     What are the effects on the EU integration process and what are 
its long term consequences for the EU project?
We invite theoretical and empirical analyses, and comparative and case 
studies touching upon any of these themes.

Section available at:

http://ecpr.eu/Events/SectionDetails.aspx?SectionID=490&EventID=105

Deadlines and key dates available at: 
http://ecpr.eu/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=105

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