ISA 2002 Annual Convention Call for Papers

Dissolving Boundaries:

The Nexus Between Comparative Politics and International Relations

International relations researchers often downplay the importance of domestic political factors in choosing foreign policy leaders and in shaping international political and economic relations. Similarly, comparative politics researchers center their attention on domestic political processes while overlooking the influence of international actors, institutions and the international environment on these processes. Yet, the interplay between the two may be fundamental to understanding either. With this interdependence between domestic and international politics in mind, we encourage the submission of papers and panels that explore the nexus between comparative politics and international affairs.

The end of the Cold War and the expanding globalization of political and economic activities, including finance, production and consumption, draw our attention to the dramatic interplay between domestic and international affairs in a world in which grand strategy seems to have diminished as a shaper of foreign affairs. On the one hand, domestic interests can be created and existing interests threatened by international phenomena like democratization or globalization, potentially exacerbating domestic conflict and altering domestic political behavior. Instances of violent domestic political conflict and its human consequences have been the subject of international intervention. The creation of new international institutions, such as the WTO, and the expansion of the power and influence of existing international institutions, such as the IMF or NATO, can pressure leaders to adopt policies that may prove controversial or unpopular at home. On the other hand, changing domestic circumstances, such as the collapse or diminution in the authority of East European Communist parties fundamentally alters leadership perspectives on international alignments, trade, investment and the like. Additionally, the growth of fundamentalist religious movements in some polities raises questions about regional security in ways perhaps not seen since the Middle Ages. These and many other linkages illustrate the interrelationship among comparative and international politics. We encourage the submission of paper and panel proposals that explore whether or how interdependencies between domestic and international relations are growing in importance in the post Cold War period.

When international interactions depend in large part on the decisions made by national leaders, then the power, preferences, and perceptions of those leaders matter. The comparative study of domestic politics is thus central to the study of international relations. While we do not want to ignore the important role that structural features of the international system can have on international interactions and domestic decisions, we believe that it is vital also to consider carefully the impact of domestic politics on external relations. Recently, international scholars have begun to pay closer attention to domestic politics. Our understanding of the variety and complexities of domestic political institutions, however, remains fairly superficial. We often address, for instance, a simple dichotomy between democratic and authoritarian regimes despite the potentially important differences within each category. A marriage of the best of international relations research and the best of comparative politics research would significantly improve our understanding of both fields. To that end, we encourage the submission of papers and panels that address topics of concern to international relations scholars but incorporate the comparative analysis of domestic political factors.

We are particularly interested in submissions that evaluate the impact of domestic politics on the power, preferences, and perceptions of states and national leaders. Domestic politics, for instance, is central to our understanding of state power or influence. While tangible resources like a state’s population, gross domestic product, and military equipment clearly influence a state’s ability to influence others in the international system, we also need to understand a leader’s capacity to mobilize those resources. The institutional structure of the state may impact that capacity. In addition, a leader’s own hold on power probably influences her willingness to mobilize any available resources. If state leaders want to remain in power, they must consider how their decisions about the allocation of resources influence and effect their constituents. A state is likely to have little power in the international system even if its resources are substantial if it is clear that the state’s leader is incapable or unwilling to use those resources. We encourage the submission of papers that analyze how different domestic political structures or conditions shape a state’s ability to influence other states in the international system.

Domestic politics is also central to our understanding of the preferences and motives of different national leaders. While we have often assumed for convenience that states are all motivated similarly by the desire for more power, such an assumption may often result in misleading implications. First, national leaders may be more concerned about their own tenure than about the interests of the state. As a result, a leader may pursue different goals than those which best serve the interests of the state. Second, in most instances, decisions are not made by a single individual but are instead a result of an often complicated domestic political process. To understand which goals a state or its leaders pursue may require an appreciation of the many, perhaps competing, interests of domestic political, economic or social groups and an understanding of the domestic decision making process. Papers that examine international affairs through a consideration of the interests of state leaders as well as the domestic decision making process are particularly encouraged.

1. All proposals for papers, posters and panels should be submitted directly to the 2002 ISA Program Chairs, Suzanne Werner and David R. Davis, Department of Political Science, Emory University,1555 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Please use the paper or panel proposal forms when submitting proposals. Fax submissions may be made to (208) 575-5610. World Wide Web submissions may be made from the 2002 Convention web page (http://www.isanet.org/neworleans/submit.html) which can be accessed from the ISA main web page (http://www.isanet.org). E-mail submissions may be made to isaprog@emory.edu

2. The deadline for proposals is 1 June, 2001. Attendance at recent ISA Conventions has steadily increased. As a result proposals received after 1 June, 2001 are unlikely to be considered for the 2002 Program.

3. The Program Chairs will forward proposals to relevant sections. Individuals should identify no more than two Sections to which their proposals might be forwarded in order of preference. Submit proposals to the Program Chairs only.

4. All paper or poster proposals should provide the information requested on the paper proposal forms: name; complete address (including phone, fax, and if available e-mail); affiliation; poster/paper title; and an abstract of 150 words. The same personal information is also required for ALL co-authors.

5. Please provide personal contact information that will be valid from 1 June 2001 through the convention. If you have a different summer address, please include it separately and only if you wish acknowledgment of your submission to be sent to that address. If you anticipate changing addresses between the submission deadline and the conference, please include new contact information and the date when the change will take effect.

6. Special scheduling requests must be made at the time of submission. Overhead projectors will be supplied in most panel rooms. Any other presentation aids must be arranged by the presenter(s) themselves at their own expense!

7. If your paper proposal cannot be accommodated on a traditional panel, please note whether or not you wish to have it considered for a poster presentation. Individuals are urged to consider doing a poster. Such sessions are often more appropriate for conveying complex theoretical models, detailed statistical results, and "work in progress". Posters facilitate wider participation at heavily attended conventions, usually by allowing presentation of research not fitting coherently with the focus of available panels. The 2002 Program Committee intends to further strengthen the poster session component of the conference.

8. Panel organizers must obtain the formal commitment of all individuals listed on the proposed panel before it is submitted, as well as the full names, addresses (as above), and affiliations for all participants. Panel proposals should provide the information requested on the panel proposal forms: panel title; a panel abstract of approximately 150 words; identification of chair and discussant; and complete paper title and abstract information as described above. Please use the panel proposal submission forms.

9. If you wish to request ISA Travel Grant funding, you must apply separately for those grants. A copy of the application form can be found on the ISA webpage. The deadline for Travel Grant applications is 1 October 2001. Please be aware that this is before you will be informed whether or not your proposal has been accepted for presentation. These grants are primarily disbursed to overseas participants, especially students and professionals in non-hard currency locales.

10. Acknowledgments of receipt of proposals will be mailed to individuals from ISA Headquarters as proposals are processed. If acknowledgment is not received by approximately 15 July 2001, please contact the Program Chairs, Suzanne Werner and David R. Davis, to ensure that your submission was received.

11. Acceptance and rejection letters will be mailed on or about 1 October 2001. If you have not received notice of the status of your proposal by 15 October 2001, please contact the Program Chairs, Suzanne Werner and David R. Davis.

I.4 Panel proposals from ISA sections are subject to review by the program chair(s) using the same standards of quality and suitability that are applied to other proposals.

I.5 Joint panels and roundtables organized collaboratively by two ISA sections are particularly encouraged and should be given special consideration by the program chair(s).

Rationale: Scholars can participate in the program in a variety of ways: by chairing a panel or roundtable, by delivering a formal paper or prepared remarks on a given topic, or by serving as a discussant. The primary purpose of program activities are to encourage the full presentation and active discussion of theories and research findings, as well as to explore topics of interest from a wide range of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. The specific format used in panels and roundtables to accomplish these goals may vary as deemed appropriate by panel chairs and the program chair(s).

II. Composition of Panels

II.1 The program chair(s) should maintain flexibility in order to accommodate the various scholarly aims of different types of panels. Those panels seeking to debate contending views on a topic are generally well served by a structure of two papers and two discussants. Other panels may range between three and four papers, and might have a single discussant. Only under the most extraordinary circumstances should a panel have more than four papers or a roundtable have more than six participants.

II.2 Regardless of the composition of panels, thirty minutes should be reserved for discussion from the floor and among the panelists. The panel chair has the right and responsibility to enforce this norm.

II.3 Panel organizers should strive for a good mix of participants. The best panels often include scholars from different countries, a range of institutions, and different career stages. The best discussants are often scholars with significant experience in the field. In general, graduate students should not fill this role.

Rationale: There is no ideal composition for the panels. The number of formal papers and the time allocated for their presentation should be based on the scholarly objectives of the panel. In all cases, including roundtables, adequate time should be reserved for a full and active discussion after the formal presentations.

III. Responsibility of Panel and Roundtable Chairs

By proposing and accepting responsibility for chairing a panel or roundtable, the chair accepts these obligations:

III.1 To inform the program chair(s) of all changes in the composition of the panel or roundtable prior to the publication of the final program. And, similarly, to inform all other participants of such changes well before the meetings begin.

III.2 To inform the program chair(s) of any panelist who fails to attend the panel without providing advance notification of those extenuating circumstances preventing their participation.

III.3 If chairing a roundtable, to circulate a detailed memo regarding the issues to be discussed by the participants well in advance of the meeting.

III.4 If chairing a panel, to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the discussants receive advance copies of papers, even in draft form. Five working days prior to the commencement of the meetings is the absolute minimum acceptable lead-time.

III.5 To hold participants to agreed‑upon time limits for their presentations, so that at least thirty minutes are available for general discussion.

Rationale: Stimulating scholarly interchange requires that panelists attend their panels and roundtables, and that adequate time be set aside for discussion among panelists and the audience. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide accurate information about the nature and composition of a particular panel or roundtable and to provide sufficient time for the participants and audience to interact.

IV. Responsibility of Panelists and Roundtable Participants

By proposing and accepting formal participation, participants accept these obligations:

IV.1 To inform the panel chair, discussant of your paper, and program chairs(s) at the earliest possible date of any changes in the status of your work, your availability, or travel funding which will or is likely to prevent your participation. Failure to show up for your panel without having previously notified the panel chair, discussant, and program chairs(s) could adversely affect the likelihood of your being included on the program in future years.

IV.2 If giving a prepared paper, to circulate copies to discussants and other panelist in advance of the meetings, and at least five working days before the commencement of the meetings. Paper presenters are also responsible for providing copies of their paper for sale to other attendees.

IV.3 If serving as a discussant, to read carefully each of the papers that you receive at least five days prior to the conference and comment upon these papers in a constructive manner.

IV.4 To abide by the panel chair's stipulations regarding the length of presentation and comments.

Rationale: The quality of scholarly interaction among panelists and the audience increases when panelists receive copies of papers in advance of the meeting and when members of the audience have access to the papers. The inability of attendees to purchase papers is a source of considerable frustration. Panelists have a professional responsibility to make copies of their papers available to convention attendees.

V. Participation of Scholars from outside North America

V.1 Panel and roundtable chairs are encouraged to invite the participation of relevant scholars outside of North America.

V.2 Letters confirming the participation of scholars from outside North America should be sent by the program chair(s) at the earliest possible date and, whenever possible, in advance of the publication of the preliminary program.

V.3 If participation of a scholar from outside North America is contingent on funding from ISA or other sources, that fact should be made clear when the proposal is submitted. Rationale: The participation of scholars from outside North America is in keeping with the purposes of the Association. Their participation is most effective if North American members have ample opportunities to interact with them as panelists and discussants and vice versa. Early indication of the need for funding will allow the program chair(s) and section organizers to provide the potential participant with the appropriate application.

VI. Frequency of Appearances

VI.1 Participants should appear on no more than two panels or roundtables. A participant may present only one paper, except in the case of co-authorship.

VI.2 The limitation on the number of appearances will be waived for participants serving on a panel that is honoring an ISA member, for participants from outside North America, or for other exceptional circumstances identified by the program chairs(s). Rationale: Minimizing the number of appearances by any one participant increases the opportunities for participation by others.

VII. Proposal Submission

VII.1 Scholars who submit more than one panel, roundtable or paper proposal must inform the program chair(s) and the relevant section organizers of these multiple submissions. In addition, they must indicate the order in which they wish the proposals to be considered.

VII.2 Scholars who submit proposals for panels or roundtables must not place an individual on the proposed panel or roundtable without his or her consent.

VII.3 Scholars wishing to participate in the program must adhere to the submission deadline. Proposals received after the deadline stipulated by the program chair(s) are unlikely to be included in the program. Rationale: The fact that some scholars submit multiple proposals without informing the program chair(s) and other appropriate personnel creates serious difficulties in preparing the program. Accurate information on multiple submissions will assist the program chair(s) in making the most efficient use of available sections. Adherence to the submission deadline facilitates timely completion of the program.

VIII. Notification of Unsuccessful Proposals

VIII.1 It is the responsibility of the program chair(s) and section organizers to ensure that scholars who cannot be accommodated on the program are notified by letter of that fact prior to the publication of the preliminary program. Rationale: Not informing scholars that their proposals are unsuccessful until publication of the preliminary program is a professional discourtesy and a source of some bitterness.

IX.1 Pre-registration is required for all participants to be listed in the program.