v23| no4 dec 2011

Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News winner of the ‘Special International Award’ annual awards ceremony Charlie Jeffery, Chair, Political Studies Association

The Political Studies Association It was a pleasure to see some of our foremost political scientists recognised: the Special Annual Awards took place on Recognition Award for Willie Paterson’s lifelong 29th November in Church House commitment to research and influencing policy on British-German relations and European at Westminster. integration; (continued on page 4)

Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland who Michael Portillo, who presented Ed Balls, Shadow Micheal Heseltine, recipient of the ‘Lifetime received the ‘Politician of the Year Award’ Chancellor of the Exchequer with the ‘Parliamentarian Achievement in Politics Award’ of the Year Award’

gearing up for 2012 Paul Carmichael & Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Academic Convenors)

Colleagues at the University The call for paper and panel proposals has now closed and we have a ‘full house’ of Ulster are busy making in terms of accepted papers and panels! preparations for the 2012 Registration for the conference has now Annual Conference which will opened on our conference website be held in Belfast next year. www.psa.ac.uk/2012 so be sure to... (continued on page 5) political studies association news association news new editors for parliamentary affairs 03 newly awarded academicians 03 annual awards ceremony 04 gearing up for 2012 05 more association history... 06 an obituary for tim may 06 heads of department conference 07 call to confer regional studies association global conference 2012 08 association links appreciation for australia 08 a prelude to ipsa 2012 08 apsa 2011 09 psai annual conference 09 exchange visits for association members 10 international conference opportunity 10 seattle 2011 11 presenting at seattle 11 three new titles published by the policy press 11 being busy in oz 12 collegial glaswegian gathering 12 specialist groups anarchists continue to build solidarities 13 epop annual conference 2011 14 political thought holds annual conference 14 dissident republicanism 15

department news power of words in huddersfield 16 re-launching and retiring at aberystwyth 17 for kings, history matters 17 gendered ceremony and ritual in parliament 18 durham university establishes new durham global security institute 19 the responsibility to protect 20 new degree for SAOS 20 the elected mayors agenda 21 birthday celebrations for jack hayward at hull 19 relevance reward at goldsmiths 21

student short video competition 22 engagement commons foreign affairs committee looks for witnesses 23 giving evidence to the home affairs committee on violent radicalization 24 in praise of social democracy 24

Professor Neil Collins Political Studies Association, Membership Secretary: Editor Department of Politics, Sandra McDonagh email: [email protected] University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne Registered Charity No. 1071825; NE1 7RU Registered Company with limited liability in England and Wales, Tel: 0191 222 8021 No. 3628986 Fax: 0191 222 3499 To advertise in this Newsletter, Holly Hardwicke Email [email protected] please contact Sandra McDonagh at Assistant Editor Web: www.psa.ac.uk [email protected] Editorial Team email: [email protected] Chief Executive Officer: Helena Djurkovic new editors for parliamentary affairs – and REF 2014 guarantee Two Association members, Professor Philip Cowley and Professor Jon Tonge have taken over as editors of Parliamentary Affairs, the Hansard Society’s flagship journal published by Oxford University Press.

They take over from Professors Steven Fielding take longer than expected to comment on a (Nottingham) and Jocelyn Evans (Salford) who manuscript. have left the journal in rude health, with an impressive impact score of 1.238. ❖ To be treated as accepted, we must have received a final version of the manuscript, which The new editors will continue the journal’s meets the journal’s submission requirements and approach of publishing high-quality academic makes any changes requested, to the editors’ peer-reviewed articles, along with a number of satisfaction. practitioner pieces. Forthcoming special issues Jon Tonge, Liverpool include youth political engagement and citizenship, ❖ All supporting documentation must also have the training of parliamentary representatives and been returned to OUP by end-2012. the French presidential election. ❖ Publication by end-2013 will be dependent on The incoming editors also offer a special REF authors returning any requested changes to 2014 guarantee: proofs, or production queries, within one week of receipt. ❖ Any paper submitted to Parliamentary Affairs and accepted by the end of 2012 will be published ❖ We give no guarantee of publication in a print online by the end of 2013, subject to the version of the journal. The guarantee refers to Philip Cowley, Nottingham following terms and conditions. online publication, as an Advance Access article. Such articles have DOI. ❖ The paper will have had to have successfully gone through the journal’s anonymous reviewing ❖ We reserve the right to withdraw the guarantee process. We aim to expedite submissions at any time, should demand for it exceed as speedily as possible, but cannot be held anticipated levels. responsible in the event that reviewers

A launch to celebrate newly awarded academicians the arrival of the new editorial team, along with the appointment of new associate editors and an advisory board, will be held at Westminster on 18th January 2012. Tom Watson MP will be the guest speaker. Further Prof Sarah Childs Prof Matt Flinders Prof Robert Hazell details are available via the Hansard (Bristol) (Sheffield) CBE (UCL) Society.

association news | 3 Evan Davis, winner of the ‘Broadcaster of the Year’ award and Caroline Lucas, recipient of the Peter Kellner, winner of a ‘Special Recognition Award’ ‘Influencing the Political Agenda’ award

Guest at the Ceremony alongside Peter Gerry Stoker, Southampton with Katharine Dommett and Helen Kathryn Ledson, Louise Bates, Helena Djurkovic, Political Geoghegan, Editor, Political Insight Brown Coverdale, guests at the Ceremony Studies Association, and Sue Cameron, journalist annual awards ceremony Charlie Jeffery, Chair, Political Studies Association (continued from front cover)

the joint winners of the WJM Mackenzie Book Prize, influence and – to use the REF vernacular – the Tim Bale for The Conservative Party from Thatcher impact UK political studies has. to Cameron, and Iain McLean for What’s Wrong with the British Constitution?; Jack Hayward’s richly Helping to demonstrate that impact will be a big David Steel receiving the ‘Lifetime deserved Sir Isaiah Berlin Award for his Lifetime priority for the Association as the REF approaches. Achievement in Politics’ award Contribution to Political Studies; Alex Danchev and We have a strong record of impact: in challenging Ion Trewin as the inaugural winners of our new and influencing policy; in shaping constitutional Innovation in Teaching Politics Award for their debates; in arming our legislatures with the pioneering course on political biography; and Ron evidence and advice they need to hold executives Johnston’s Political Communication Award for his to account; in raising public awareness about key influence and impact on elections, especially the political issues to enable citizens to hold their process of boundary changes. representatives to account – and all of this at local, devolved, UK, EU and international scales. Our MC, Jon Snow of Channel 4 News, also presented awards to leading politicians, including Because impact is going to be such a significant Justin Fisher, Brunel and Colin Alex Salmond, Michael Heseltine, David Steel, Tom component of the REF we have to work hard to Rallings, Plymouth Watson, Ed Balls and Caroline Lucas, and journalists, pinpoint the impacts of our research and, as far among them Lindsey Hilsum, Alan Rusbridger, as we can, do this as well or better than other the Woman’s Hour team led by Jenni Murray, and disciplines. We will be holding a workshop on commentator-cum-pollster Peter Kellner. impact at the Annual Conference in Belfast next April – with the Politics and International Studies The mix of awards to political scientists, politicians REF sub-panel chair Colin Hay contributing – and journalists is a deliberate one. Our aim is to and hope to run a series of impact workshops celebrate our leading scholars in a setting where around the UK during 2012. We will also look for political science and policy practice meet. The opportunities to brief journalists about politics Annual Awards are an opportunity to show the research on major current issues, following the Maxine Molyneux, University of London and Roger Dawe, Better Governemnt Initiative 4 | association news success of the briefings series last year on students to produce a short video; the with teachers and students of politics in AV, the devolved elections, local elections, theme – inspired by Bernard Crick’s classic schools, sixth form and FE colleges is vital. and Lords reform. We are also talking with book and Matt Flinders’ recent Radio 4 Ensuring demand for politics degrees remains the ESRC about how we can inform impact series – was ‘In Defence of Politics’. A high in the coming years is perhaps the case studies by drawing on the end-of- special jury hosted by the Speaker John biggest challenge the Association’s Executive project evaluation that the ESRC requires of Bercow awarded the prize to a team from Committee has set itself. The Association its grant-holders. Further details on all these Cheadle Hulme School. It – and the other Vice Chair, Jacqui Briggs, will set out how we initiatives will follow in our e-Newsletters. entries to the competition – shows that plan to do so in the next edition of Political Finally, back to the Annual Awards. This there is a strong supply of talented, nascent Studies Association News. Until then, merry year for the first time we held a competition political scientists in our schools. Making christmas and best wishes for 2012. for schools. The challenge was for teams of sure we connect as effectively as we can

Elizabeth Meehan attending the Matthew Flinders (Sheffield) and Cheadle Hulme School Sandra McDonagh, Association Membership Secretary Association Awards Ceremony with Paul Carmichael, Honorary Secretary, Political Studies Association gearing up for 2012 Paul Carmichael & Cathy Gormley-Heenan (Academic Convenors) (continued from front cover)

Registration for the conference has city centre location is ideal for both the PS… Did You Know? Belfast is the best now opened on our conference website conference and for evening entertainment. value for money… www.psa.ac.uk/2012 so be sure to register The hotel sits next door to the glorious Grand Belfast is the best value UK city for tourists, early to avail of our ‘early bird’ registration Opera House. The historic Crown Bar, the according to a new cost comparison index rates. National Trust’s only public house property, from the travel website TripAdvisor produced beckons from just across the road. And then in July 2011. The comparisons were based Our opening plenary ‘In Defence of Politics’ you’ve got shops, shops and more shops, on the cost of a pizza, a dry martini, a taxi will be hosted by Professor Matthew Flinders several award-winning restaurants, high-end ride and one night’s accommodation in a (Sheffield) and confirmed panelists at this entertainment and the business district – all four-star hotel. Belfast’s total TripIndex opening plenary include David Blunkett, Peter within walking distance. Our special online cost came to just £106.54, less than half Oborne and Peter Riddell. Professor Brendan booking website has been very popular with the cost of the UK’s most expensive city, O’Leary (University of Pennsylvania) will give Association colleagues and our allocation London (£227.99) and £9.08 cheaper than the 2012 Shapiro Lecture which is sponsored of hotels rooms in the Europa through this its closest rival, Liverpool (£115.62) followed by Government and Opposition. We will have site are all gone, BUT, fear not... You can by Cardiff (£123.06), Glasgow (£131.40) and lots of extra-curricular opportunities arranged still reserve rooms directly at the Europa Manchester (£135.89). TripAdvisor’s Emma including a visit to the Northern Ireland and will receive an Association preferential O’Boyle said: ‘Cost, and in particular value Assembly at Stormont; a visit to the Public rate. To reserve your room, call the Europa for money, is one of the most important Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI); on +44(0)28 90 27 1066 and quote ‘Political considerations for travellers. This index allows and a political tour of Belfast among other Studies 52268’ for their special rates. travellers to make an educated decision as things. Updates on our other keynote to whether a destination is right for them.’ speakers and sponsored roundtable events Stop Press See: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern- will be given in subsequent issues of Political Belfast has been voted one of the world’s ireland-14224207 Association News and on the conference top destinations for 2012 by National website, so be sure to check for updates! Geographic Traveler (November 2011) and We look forward to giving you a warm the Financial Times has listed Belfast as one welcome to Belfast in April 2012. In terms of location, things couldn’t be of the ‘top 10 places in the world’ to hold better. The conference will be held in a conference or major event, putting us up Belfast’s Europa Hotel. The hotel has 272 there with Melbourne, London, Barcelona and newly refurbished bedrooms and suites. Its Guadalajara!

association news | 5 some more association history... Howard Elcock, Newcastle upon Tyne

However, I was dismayed to see that Wyn had International Relations for the Council for I read Wyn Grant’s encountered a lacuna of information for the National Academic Awards (CNAA), which history of the Political late 1980s and early 1990s, when I served was also sponsored by the Executive. The on the Executive. Michael Goldsmith was our report was written by Grant Jordan after I Studies Association Chairman and he played an important role in had written an interim report a few months countering the previous rather hangdog view earlier. Its publication was the CNAA’s last with great interest, we took of ourselves. He repeatedly stressed act before its abolition in July 1993. I have especially having that we were the second most important a spare copy which I will donate to the political science trade in the world and Political Association Archive. been a member for should behave as such – and gradually we did so, more and more. One positive outcome of our work was well over half that the identification of the need for the history and having Other initiatives included inviting scholars Political Studies Association and the British from the newly liberated Eastern Europe to International Studies Association (BISA) to served on the our Conference. A particularly significant work together for our mutual benefit. This activity in which I was involved was that was the origin of the collaboration that has Executive. I chaired a Subject Review of Politics and continued fruitfully to this day. an obituary for Tim May Mick Moran, Manchester

sympathetic and super conscientious source lay an enthusiast for fast vintage cars – of help, advice and encouragement. something he inherited from his father, and Tim joined what was then the Manchester has transmitted to a later generation of College of Commerce in 1968, after a period the May family. His latter years were spent as a WEA tutor organiser. He embodied all in writing ERA Man: Historic Racing with that was best in the old WEA: a commitment W.R.G. Morris. It was a great consolation to liberal education, to debate as civilised that the book was both published, and very dialogue, and to education as self favourably reviewed in the vintage motoring improvement. press, during the final stages of his illness. Tim’s funeral gathered together two groups He brought these values to the development who do not normally associate: his many of Politics at Manchester as the College of friends in social science and his equally Commerce turned into, first, Manchester numerous friends from the world of vintage Tim May Polytechnic and then Manchester car racing. Metropolitan University. His time at the University culminated in a period as an Tim was a Brummie by birth, and completely My friend Tim May, who admired head of department. Tim wrote English by inclination: he loved English died in September after sparingly, and his scrupulous scholarship literature, English theatre and the English an illness courageously was out of tune with the frenetic publishing landscape, especially Kirby Lonsdale. He demands of the modern university. He also could entertain for hours with his caustic borne, was an inspiration lacked the necessary selfishness to publish a judgements on what was happening to the – though Tim would have lot: his time was too easily given to the help England he loved; but everything he said and and encouragement of others. But his book did was marked by generosity and wit. modestly dismissed any on trade unions in the 1970s, and his later He is mourned by countless friends, and is such description. work with John McHugh on small business survived by a loving family: his wife Gillian, politics, are enduring scholarly contributions. sons Nick, William and Richard, and eight For generations of staff and students grandchildren, one of whom, Joseph, spoke in political studies at the Manchester Tim was also a man of surprising, diverse movingly at his funeral. Metropolitan University he was a generous, interests. Behind the exterior of a scholar

6 | association news heads of department conference Institute for Government, London,

Astrid Wissenburg, Deputy CEO, ESRC 9th December 2012

Colin Hay, REF Politics Sub-Panel Chair and Gerry Stoker, Peter Riddell, Director of the Institute for Government Edwin Egede, University of Cardiff University of Southampton (Designate) and Jacqui Briggs, Vice Chair

Mike Saward, The Open University and Richard Luther, Philip Cowley, Nottingham and Paul Evans, Principal Clerk for PSA 2012 University of Keele Select Committees, House of Commons Annual Conference call for papers

UACES 42ND Annual Conference and politics. We accept proposals from 3-5 April 3rd-5th September 2012 established academics, practitioners and well-prepared doctoral students. The deadline Europa Hotel University of Passau, Germany for submission of panels and papers is 20th January 2012. Belfast The call for panels and papers is now open for the UACES 42nd Annual Conference, The three-day event will be hosted by the taking place in Passau, Germany from 3rd-5th Department for Cultural Studies at the September 2012. University of Passau. During the conference, we’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of We welcome contributions on all areas of the JCMS. contemporary European Studies from across academic disciplines including law, economics, To find out more and to submit a paper, visit geography, history, sociology, public policy the website at www.uaces.org/passau.

association news | 7 appreciation for australia

Dr Umut Korkut from Glasgow The paper, entitled “Liberalisation Troubles: conventions surrounding the practice of Elitism, Progressivism, and Populism”, power particularly those of the Crown Caledonian University delivered received the Australian PSA and Political could be used in ways that had long been a paper at the Australian Studies Association Exchange Award to thought unavailable in practice though Political Studies Association facilitate travel to Canberra. The paper was available in theory. The position of Kerr as in line with the theme of the Conference the Queen’s Representative and Britain’s annual conference in Canberra ‘Crisis, Uncertainty, and Democracy’. Both position with the Australian states drew on 26th – 28th September. the academic and the social atmosphere Whitehall into the crisis along with its of the conference were worth the trip to special understanding and involvement in Canberra from Glasgow even if it was for a Australia. Harshan used recently released couple of days. documents in the United Kingdom to shed light on the involvement and knowledge Dr Harshan Kumarasingham from Potsdam of Whitehall in this constitutional saga, University delivered a paper entitled ‘The which, due to its historic relationship was 1975 Dismissal - The View from Whitehall’, probably greater than any other country. which investigated British official interest Old Parliament House Canberra, where the and involvement in the sacking of the crisis played out, was the obvious place to Australian Labor Government of Gough deliver this paper and Harshan appreciated Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John meeting Australian constitutional scholars Kerr. This remarkable episode still ranks to discuss his paper. as one of the most controversial episodes in postwar Australian and Commonwealth political history. The events in Australia Australian War Memorial, Canberra proved that Westminster’s sacrosanct

a prelude to ipsa 2012

Congress 2012 Interest in the Congress itself has been overwhelming both in terms of panels and papers. Over 5,000 papers proposals have been received and programme chair Wyn Grant is currently assessing over 2,000 in the General Pool. Extra space is being hired to allow additional panels and papers, but inevitably some good proposals will have to be rejected. Wyn Grant noted, ‘It is interesting to see the range of work being undertaken in politcal science.

Some really innovative work is being undertaken in areas such as the social media and this will be reflected in the Congress. The number of Research Committee panels has been greatly As an intellectual prelude to next year’s IPSA Congress in Madrid expanded, reflecting the creation of new committees and the with its theme of Reshaping Power, Shifting Boundaries, the higher activity rate of existing ones. Department of Constitutional Law and Political Science at the University of Valencia organised a workshop on New Regionalism These committees are now becoming more deeply embedded and Multi-Level Governance on the 13th and 14th October. in the work of IPSA. The Local Organising Committee is also Participants took part from Belgium, Germany, Quebec, Spain and organising a series of panels, many with an Iberan or Latin the United States. American theme and many of these will be delivered in Spanish. This will enable IPSA to build on the presence it developed in A volume produced from the workshop will be available at the Latin America through holding its last Congress in Santiago, Madrid Congress and the introduction will be written by Wyn Chile.’ Grant who attended as IPSA’s vice-president for Europe. One of the themes to emerge was the extent to which Scotland rather IPSA is moving from a triennial Congress to biannual ones with than Catalonia was setting the pace in terms of new regional the next one being held in Montréal in 2014. arrangements.

8 | call to confer | association links apsa 2011 conference Khursheed Wadia, University of Warwick

Khursheed Wadia, Warwick

I attended and presented a presenters who often go on to become close shift from ‘universal’ to group collaborators and/or friends. However, I did paper at the 2011 American enjoy being in Seattle – it has a great vibe. rights in France”. Political Science Association conference which was held There were so many presentations and My co-panellists were Rainbow Murray (Queen unfamiliar names that it was difficult to Mary, University of London) who had put the in Seattle from 1st to 4th make a sensible decision about which panels panel together, Aurélia Troupel (Université de September. to attend. In the end, I took the easy way Montpellier) and Eléonore Lépinard (Université out each time and ended up listening to the de Montréal). As was to be expected, it was a grand, presentations of people I already knew. That We approached the theme from very different well organised affair comprising some said, it was still good to have uninterrupted angles but this made for a highly interesting notable plenary lectures (including time to take part in some thought-provoking mix of ideas, arguments and evidence. And Carole Pateman’s presidential address discussions, to attend specialist group although we had a relatively small audience, on participatory democracy) and large meetings (in my case the French Politics the discussion which followed was not just numbers of themed panels. Group) and to generally catch up with old lively, it was useful and will have contributed friends and colleagues, including someone to the strengthening of our respective papers. Although it is always an experience to be I had last seen in 1992! part of an occasion as huge as this, my On the whole my experience at APSA 2011 best conference memories are of the smaller was very positive and I am grateful to the events where you get the opportunity to My paper formed part of the PSA for part-funding my participation at this really get to know other panellists and theme panel, “Parity and the event. psai annual conference Dublin, October 2011

Richard Katz, John Hopkins University Gary Murphy, President, PSAI, being Professor Gary Murphy, President, PSAI, presenting the Brian Farrell book prize to speaking at a reception in honour of congratulated by Paul Whiteley, Professor Jon Tonge, Liverpool and Jim McAuley, Huddersfield at the conference. Peter Mair during the Political Studies University of Essex, on the success of Association of Ireland (PSAI Annual the conference at which he was a guest Conference). speaker.

regional ‘Sustaining Regional Futures’

studies 24th - 26th June 2012 Organisers welcome proposals at [email protected] association (Field trip on 27th June for special sessions, themed and we will assist you. 2012), Beijing Conference workshops and innovative global Centre, Beijing, China forms of networking and The deadline for abstract collaboration. If you would like submissions is 31st January conference For the most up-to-date to organise or offer a session 2012. 2012 version of this call for papers to the conference please visit: www.regionalstudies.org contact Jimmy Ancheta Jr.

association links | 9 exchange visits for members to overseas PSA conferences

The Political Studies ❖ Japan PSA, October 2013 - 1 place You are eligible to apply to the Political Studies Association for partial travel Association’s International (deadline 1 December 2012) ❖ Korea PSA, August or December support. Contact [email protected] Relations Subcommittee is 2012 – 2 places for details. Your email application should promoting internationalisation ❖ New Zealand PSA, December 2012 - give your name/affiliation/contact details, very brief CV/publications; title in the political science 2 places ❖ Slovenian PSA, May 2012 – 1 place of proposed paper and brief abstract; profession. ❖ Canadian PSA, May 2012 – 1 place some assurances regarding time/funding (see below) (particularly co-funding and backup We are able to offer ‘exchanger’ funding) as the most important thing arrangements with a limited number The receiving association will provide for us is that someone actually goes (it of ‘sister’ PSAs. Application is by accommodation (usually hotel) during is not usually possible to substitute for email only to [email protected]. If you the conference and (usually) an extra a drop-out). If you have been on this have specific queries, you are welcome day. They will also provide usual meals/ scheme before, then you are not eligible. to contact the Sub-committee Chair, hospitality appropriately, but this varies You must be a current Political Studies Professor Terrell Carver at t.carver@ a bit with each situation. (The Canadian Association member. bristol.ac.uk. PSA provides only gratis registration and only to post-graduates who have already You will need to write us a very short Note that this scheme is separate from had papers accepted through the formal report about your experience suitable for the ‘Overseas Conference Grants 2012’ process.) publication in Political Studies Association scheme (next item). Exchanges are News. Photographs are also welcome. limited to the following associations and The receiving association will see that Deadline for completed email meetings: you are placed on a suitable panel/ applications is 15 February 2012 to ❖ Australian PSA, September 2012 language group (with the exception of the [email protected]. ❖ Brazil PSA, July 2012 – 2 places Canadian PSA noted above).

international conference opportunity

The Japan Conference for the Study panel. Application is by email and must appreciated. Risks are generally thought of Political Thought will accept one be in hand by 1st January 2012 at the to be minimal, though you will be sponsored panel from the Political latest. responsible for making your own checks Studies Association of the UK for an and insurance arrangements. Reasonable English-language session at its Annual Funding Available accommodation and subsistence in Conference to be held in central The organisation is effectively a large Tokyo is generally somewhat less than in Tokyo over the weekend of 26th-27th ‘specialist group’ working in political London on present price levels and rates May 2012. This promises to be an theory, political philosophy, history of of exchange. exceptionally interesting event. political thought, and allied themes. As a member of the Association, you Contact To participate in this you will need to be will be entitled to partial funding for Please submit the relevant information a current member of the Political Studies this sponsored activity. There will be no (names/affiliations/paper titles/ Association. We require a complete panel registration fees, and local organisers abstracts) to the Association Chair of the of two or three paper-givers; the local will provide suitable hospitality. It is International Relations Sub-committee, organisers will supply a chair and suitable also likely that they will find funding for Professor Terrell Carver: t.carver@bristol. local discussants. Alternatively the one or two nights at a local hotel. Given ac.uk. There is no specific form. Funding Association will accept individual papers recent events, overseas participation arrangements will be discussed by email and act as organiser to form a coherent in Japanese events is particularly communication after the panel is formed.

10 | association links seattle 2011 Jane Green

I got some very useful feedback. As As someone who loves America, always, some of the best value of and most things American, and APSA comes in meetings for coffee, lunches and receptions, and I packed as a loyal devotee of APSA and more than usual (and advisable) into of Starbucks, the APSA Annual this trip. Meeting in Seattle was very I also had my first executive meeting of the British Politics Group, got the appealing. low-down on my new role as Section Chair for APSA 2012 and 2013, and spent some useful time in the book I also wanted to go to this APSA Annual Meeting more than publisher’s hall getting some timely most because I had a paper, jointly authored with Will Jennings, Jane Green advice. using political parties, and a book project idea that I wanted some advice on and meetings to discuss. The Political Studies Association travel grant made it possible for me to go, and I was These work-related activities followed a really fun night at a Mariners very grateful for the chance to attend. (baseball) game. Pre-APSA baseball games are traditions for many people who go, so it would seem a shame not to briefly mention I took part in a pre-APSA short course on the theme of voter my spot on the big screen with Ron Rappoport (College of William alignments and I presented papers in two panels. The first paper used and Mary, Virginia) during the seventh inning stretch. We thought it survey experiments to analyse the effects of turnout information on might count as ‘international impact’, but then again, maybe not. likelihood of voting, which I ran during the 2010 general election and the 2011 AV referendum. It was heartening to see so many people in All things considered it was an excellent trip and a particularly useful a panel on the 2010 British general election. The second paper used conference. I sometimes ask myself if the time, travel and energy are 2,450 polling items on public ratings of U.S. parties on competence, all really worth it, but the answer is always, yes. and I presented this in a small but expert panel.

presenting at seattle new titles at policy press

Paolo Dardanelli, University of Kent qualify for a 30% discount, I am very grateful to the opportunity to reach a greater Political Studies Association number of delegates than rather than 20% (quote for its support to present a many poorly-attended panels. paper at the American Political POPSA11) when you order Science Association annual The APSA annual meeting is meeting in Seattle. Mine was the largest political science through our website. submitted as an individual conference in the world and paper and was accepted for is always an exciting event to ‘Democracy under attack’ Leadership and the reform poster presentation. That attend. The quality and range Malcolm Dean of education’ Helen M means it was not eligible of research presented are first A damning indictment of the Gunter for funding from the British rate and social and networking media’s role in distorting This timely book analyses Academy so the Association’s opportunities are second to democracy by Malcolm Dean, the relationship between support really made a none. the Guardian’s longstanding the state, public policy and difference. chief monitor of social the types of knowledge that The city hosting it this year, policy. New Labour used to make Although often considered Seattle, was an added bonus. policy and break professional second-best, I found the It is a very pleasant city in ‘Changing social equality’ cultures. poster presentation format a beautiful natural setting, a Kvist, Fritzell et al. valuable. It is conducive to very enjoyable place in which Taking a comparative better interaction with people to spend a few days with perspective, this book casts interested in your work and fellow political scientists from new light on the changing can actually give you the all over the world! inequalities in Europe.

association links | 11 being busy in oz Katharine Gelber, Immediate Past President, Australian Political Studies Association The Australian Political Studies Association hosted its annual conference at Old Parliament House in Canberra,

Katharine Gelber on 26th – 28th September 2011.

The theme of the conference was ‘Crisis, Uncertainty and This year, APSA has launched standing research groups. This allows Democracy’, and the opening address was delivered by Prof members to create a research stream, and to develop a network of the Hon Gareth Evans, Chancellor of the Australian National scholars and research in their area. It is envisaged that the research University, Professorial Fellow in the School of Social and streams will operate in a similar way to research streams/groups Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, and Co-Chair of in other international political science organisations. At the 2011 the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and conference the Environmental Politics and Policy Standing Research Disarmament. He was a member of the Australian Parliament for Group was launched, and awarded its inaugural annual prize for the 21 years, and is a former Foreign Minister. A keynote address was best refereed APSA paper on the topic of environmental politics or delivered by Prof Donald Emmerson, director of the Southeast policy. Asia Forum at Shorenstein SPARC, Stanford University. His address was titled, ‘Crisis, Uncertainty and Democracy: Black Other awards presented at the annual dinner include the Mayer Swans, Fat Tails and the Futures of Political Science’. journal article prize for the best article published in the Australian Journal of Political Science in the previous year, awarded to John The APSA has an arrangement with the Political Studies Association Kane and Haig Patapan for ‘The Artless Art: Leadership and the Limits to provide funding for two people to come from the UK to our of Democratic Rhetoric’ (45:3). The PhD thesis prize was awarded to conference each year. Applicants are eligible if they are early career Scott MacWilliam (ANU), with an Honourable Mention awarded to researchers and recently joined members, and/or PhD students. The Daniel Halvorson (Griffith). The Henry Mayer Book Prize for Australian funding includes three nights’ accommodation at the conference, Politics was awarded to James Walter for What were they thinking? full registration costs including the annual dinner, and local The politics of ideas in Australia, UNSW Press, Sydney (2010). domestic transfers (by bus or train). This year the two awardees of Honorary Life Membership was awarded to Prof Ian McAllister, for his this funding were Umut Korkut (Glasgow University) and Harshan many years’ service to the discipline including 12 years as editor of Kumarasingham (University of London). We welcomed them at the Australian Journal of Political Science. our conference dinner. Professor Andrew Wells, the Deputy CEO of the Australia Research Council also addressed the conference. The Association was busy in 2011 making submissions to the federal Professor Wells gave a presentation to the conference on trends in government’s research assessment exercise, organising a national political science funding from the Australian Research Council. This meeting of heads of department, awarding annual funding to presentation was the outcome of ongoing discussions between the members to host workshops, and drafting a disciplinary benchmark APSA and the Australian Research Council, and key points from the statement for teaching in political studies. APSA also has an active address will be distributed to heads of school and members. Women’s Caucus and Postgraduate Caucus. collegial glaswegian gathering

The Comparative European Politics and The workshop brought together international maintaining a collegial environment and French Politics Specialist Groups organised as well as the Scottish experts dealing with lengthy debates on the theme looking into a two-day workshop at Glasgow Caledonian the theme of political discourse in setting countries as varied as UK, France, Turkey, University on 10th and 11th November the politics of the migration in Europe and the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and entitled “The Politics of Migration: particularly in France. Keynote speech was Switzerland. Therefore, it had a particularly Citizenship, Inclusion and Discourse in delivered by Martin Schain of NYU. The comparative and European focus with Europe”. workshop was particularly successful in promising research outputs.

12 | association links being busy in oz anarchists continue Katharine Gelber, Immediate Past President, Australian Political Studies Association to build solidarities

The Anarchist Studies Network was successful in securing its third Association specialist activities award in 2011. As in 2009, members of the ASN co-convened a conference with other specialist groups. In 2009 the collaborators were the Marxism Specialist Group.

In 2009 the collaborators were the Marxism Specialist Group. Contemporary Anarchist Studies This time, the focus was on critical approaches to international In 2010 members of the Anarchist Studies Network negotiated the relations, and the associated BISA working groups were the first peer-reviewed English-language monograph series in anarchist Poststructuralist Politics Working Group and the International studies by a major international academic publisher. Published by Political Economy Group. Together we hosted a conference Continuum Books and edited by Laurence Davis (NUI, Maynooth), entitled ‘Confronting the Global: Alternatives, Alterity, Solidarity’. Uri Gordon (Arava Institute, Israel), Nathan Jun (Midwestern State The conference was also funded and hosted by the Centre for University) and Alex Prichard (LSE), Contemporary Anarchist Studies Globalisation and Regionalisation at the University of Warwick. will promote the study of anarchism as a framework for understanding and acting on the most pressing problems of our times. The call for papers attracted a set of 17 excellent papers from the Philippines, Europe and North America. The plenary session was a roundtable debate led by John Hobson (Sheffield), Richard Day The editors are delighted to (Queens, Ontario), Gurminder Bhambra (Warwick) and Marysia Zalewski (Aberdeen). The aim of the conference was to foster intellectual announce the publication of the first solidarities across a range of critical approaches to IR, to draw out volume in the series: Anarchism and points of contact and divergence between nascent anarchist and more established critical methodologies and approaches. Political Modernity, by Nathan Jun.

The main themes that emerged from the conference included the This will soon be followed by Daoism and Anarchism (John A. Rapp), nature of solidarity, the Eurocentricism of much contemporary Lifestyle Politics and Radical Activism (Laura Portwood-Stacer) and The radical thought, the desirability of an ‘alternative’ and/or ‘anarchist’ Concealment of the State (Jason Lindsey). The series will be published international political theory, and the problematic conceptual and in dual hardback and paperback editions and under the Creative practical relationship between the individual, the social and the Commons, Attribution-Non-Commercial-ShareAlike 2.0 (England and global. This conference enabled new discussions to generate new Wales) Licence. This makes the books affordable and makes it possible perspectives on these questions. The organisers are currently looking for social centres and community groups (only) to copy and share for publishers for the proceedings. series titles.

specialist groups | 13 EPOP annual conference 2011 report

The Elections, Public Opinion, and of the usual three panel streams. More and Justin in excellent form, assisted Parties Annual Conference was held than 100 papers were presented, a by Exeter Research Fellow Caitlin at the University of Exeter on 9th- good number of which can be found on Milazzo, who took the lion’s share of 11th September 2011. This year’s the conference website at www.exeter. the conference’s organisational burden conference included 120 participants ac.uk/epop2011/papers. The conference throughout. from 54 universities and 6 non-academic was held in Streatham Court, taking institutions. It was truly an international advantage of Exeter Business School’s EPUB event, with participants coming from well-appointed lecture theatres and foyer. This was the first year EPOP was covered 12 countries on 3 continents. While the Campus accommodation was hosted at on Twitter. Several participants provided prime focus was on British and European Holland House. Those attending greatly regular updates and commentary on Politics, a variety of papers covered other appreciated the commanding view from papers conference events. The conference and even wider territories. Cutting- its dining area and terrace, at least when dinner was held at the Clarence Hotel, edge research on genetics and politics the clouds had lifted. with pre-dinner drinks overlooking was represented in one panel featuring the Cathedral. After the dinner, those conference guest Pete Hatemi. Friday evening’s activities began with attending the conference spilled out into a wine reception, generously hosted the Cathedral Square, where several pubs Four Streams by Parliamentary Affairs and Oxford did good business until the early hours of To accommodate increased interest in University Press. The annual quiz was, the morning. the conference, there were four instead as usual, a great success, with Phil

political thought holds annual conference

Dr. Evangelia Sembou, Group Convenor

The Political Thought Specialist Group democracy has not only been praised as Demanding Democracy held its annual conference on the the best form of government but also Aside from the ‘Arab awakening’, demands theme of ‘Democracy and Its Critics: criticized on several grounds both in for democracy have recently come Ancient and Modern’ at St. Hugh’s ancient times and in modernity. Loizou, from peoples all over the world. When College, Oxford University on Saturday Landauer and Danes examined the theory thousands of Americans occupied the 22nd October 2011. The conference and practice of democracy in ancient Wall Street in early October, they were had an international flavour, as it was Greece as well as some criticisms of part of a new movement that had spread attended by scholars from many different Athenian democracy, while Macleod- from Madrid and Athens to dozens cities countries, including Britain, the US, the Cullinane, Blaug, Ferreira, Malkopoulou in Europe and other parts of the world. Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Greece and da Costa focused on forms of modern As ordinary citizens pay the bill for a and Finland. Moreover, the conference democracy and its problems. financial crisis caused by political and attracted delegates at various stages of economic élites, as well as multinational their academic career – postgraduate The theme of democracy could not be corporations, the protesters – whether students, early career scholars and senior more topical today, as the recent Arab they be the Americans who assembled academics – as well as practitioners of uprising has shown. The revolts that since in Wall Street, the Spanish indignados or politics. 18th December 2010 have taken place in the Greek aganaktismenoi – were calling Tunesia, Egypt and other North African for real democracy. On 15th October 2011 Old and New and Middle Eastern countries, as well as the so-called “occupy movement” went All the papers were informative and the civil war in Libya and the uprisings in global. So a conference on the theme sparked off a lively discussion afterwards. Bahrain, Syria and Yemen were triggered of democracy could not have been more We discussed the different ways in by numerous factors, such as a repressive topical. On the basis of the feedback which democracy was conceptualized dictatorship, political corruption, human we have received, the conference was in antiquity and in modernity, as well rights violations, economic decline, a success. I am thankful to Dr. Zenon as the different forms democracy has poverty and unemployment. These revolts Stavrinides of Leeds University who taken in history. Moreover, we examined demonstrate that the values of democracy assisted me in organizing this event. Our the challenges that democracy has are not only part of Western political aim is to organize more conferences in encountered over the centuries, as culture, but appeal to peoples worldwide. the future.

14 | specialist groups dissident republicanism Eamonn O’Kane and Alan Greer, Co-convenors Irish Politics Group

The Irish Politics Specialist Group held a colloquium on dissident republicanism in Northern Ireland on 7th September at Liverpool Hope University. The event was organised by Aaron Edwards of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and Paddy Hoey of the Department of History, Politics, Media and Communication,

Some participants of the Irish Politics Group Liverpool Hope University.

Despite the much lauded success of Northern Ireland’s peace policy in a time of economic crisis (Michael Mulqueen, Liverpool process, in some quarters opposition to the new dispensation Hope); what does ‘dissidence’ mean in Northern Ireland and is intense and violent. Following on from panels held at the does it have a future? (Kevin Bean, Institute of Irish Studies, Association’s Annual Conference in 2009 and The Political University of Liverpool) dissidents’ use of the media (Paddy Studies Association of Ireland’s Annual Conference in 2010, the Hoey, Liverpool Hope); the reaction of loyalism in Northern colloquium sought to explore further the questions posed by Ireland (Jim McAuley, University of Huddersfield); and dissident republicanism. The event brought together academics examining the memoirs of dissidents in relation to the quest to working on a diverse range of issues at both an empirical and control the narrative of struggle (Stephen Hopkins, University theoretical level. The speakers addressed issues including: of Leicester). The lively discussion ranged across these issues whether there is any sympathy for dissidents in Northern Ireland and into wider debates regarding the current state of Northern (Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool) the response of British Ireland’s peace process and possible future research agendas on security policy (Aaron Edwards, RMAS); the Irish government’s Northern Ireland’s politics; past and future.

specialist groups | 15 power of words in huddersfield The University of Huddersfield staged a stimulating conference entitled “Labour Orators from Aneurin Bevan to Gordon Brown” on 9th November. Organised by politics lecturers Andrew Crines and Richard Hayton, the conference brought together experts on Labour politics to analyse the role of rhetoric and oratory in the political lives of a selection of leading post-war Labour figures.

Academic contributors included Mark Garnett (Lancaster), Keith Laybourn (Huddersfield), Tim Heppell (Leeds), Judi Atkins (Leeds) and David Moon (Liverpool), amongst others. The well attended event attracted an audience including Labour party members, postgraduate researchers, and academics from institutions as far afield as the Pacific Lutheran University in Washington.

Rhetoric Deployed The engaging and enlightening papers evaluated how a selection of orators sought to apply their skills in arenas such as the House Richard Hayton and Andrew S Crines. of Commons, party conferences and the media. This analysis helped shed light on how each orator attempted to advance their Following the success of this event, the organisers are hoping to ideological position, and how oratorical skill and impact does not develop the proceedings of the conference into an edited book. They necessarily equate with political success. Indeed, some of the papers are also considering possibilities for a follow-up event on oratory in demonstrated that rhetoric deployed with one audience or objective Conservative politics. in mind might actually undermine other political goals.

Tim Heppell, Leeds; David Stewart, UCLAN; Judi Atkins, Leeds; David Moon, Liverpool; Mick Hill, UCLAN; Professor Keith Laybourn, Huddersfield (bottom centre); Robin Pettitt, Kingston (top centre); Richard Hayton, Huddersfield; Mark Bennister, Canterbury; Andrew S Crines,Huddersfield; Mark Garnett, Lancaster.

16 | departmental news re-launching and retiring at aberystwyth

Jean Monnet Chair Retirement of Professor Visiting Speakers Howard Williams

Dr Elena Korosteleva, Director of the Centre Following his retirement at the end of The Department of International Politics at for European Studies, has been awarded September, staff and students in the Aberystwyth University continues to attract a prestigious Jean Monnet Chair for Department of International Politics at a wide range of international scholars and teaching European integration studies. This Aberystwyth University would like to send a policy makers to give talks. Recent guests represents a significant milestone for the warm expression of thanks and appreciation include Robert Keohane, Professor of development of the recently re-launched to Professor Howard Williams for his highly International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Centre for European Studies based within valued contribution to teaching and Princeton who delivered the 2011 EH Carr the Department of International Politics at research excellence in the area of Political Memorial Lecture entitled ‘Twenty Years of Aberystwyth University. Theory. An esteemed colleague, Howard Institutional Liberalism’. Erica Chenoweth was appointed Lecturer in the Department also addressed the Centre for the Study of in 1979 and received a personal chair in Radicalisation and Contemporary Political 1992. We wish him all the best for his Violence and the Security Research Group retirement and continuation of his research with a lecture entitled ‘Why Civil Resistance activities. Works’. for king’s, history matters

A Historical Comparisons As part of the Imperial, Diplomatic and Contributions to the media Seminar, convened by Professors Military History Research Group series of Dr Harsh Pant discussed ‘India’s response Matt Uttley, Defence Studies seminars, Dr Nick Lloyd discussed and to a Rising China’ in the ‘National Bureau signed copies of his new book ‘The Amritsar Department, Gary Sheffield of Asian Research’ preview of Strategic Asia Massacre: The Untold Story of One Fateful and commented on the article ‘Delhi blast University of Birmingham and Day’. another blow for clueless Indian Government’ Commander-in-Chief General of for Reuters (on-line), 8 September. the British Army, Sir Nick Parker, On 17th October Professor Ashley Jackson was held on 9th September at the gave a Lunchtime Seminar entitled ‘Malta In The Economist on 20th October he Joint Services Command and Staff and the Royal Navy through the History of argued that for India, Vietnam offers a Fort St. Angelo’. College, Shrivenham to debate point through which to ‘penetrate China’s periphery’ in the article ‘Banyan: Not as ‘Glints from a Distant Mirror: On 9th November Allan Mallinson (former close as lips and teeth’. Learning from the Past to Inform Brigadier, journalist and novelist) gave the Future of the Army’. a Lunchtime Seminar entitled ‘The Consolations of Military History – Fictional and Real’.

departmental news | 17 gendered ceremony and ritual in parliament

Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, MP Dr. Frene Ginwala speaking in the Cholmondley Room, House of Lords

Why does the study of of alternative modes of performance. The are an integral part of the everyday programme focused on three comparative performance of institutional politics and ceremony and ritual themes – opening ceremonies of parliament, through analyzing these we can read the the Speaker of parliament and deliberation changes in political systems, processes in parliament matters? and disruptions in parliament and addressed and events. Ceremony and ritual are Gendered Ceremony and these through examining the ceremonies historical performative moments that and rituals attached to each of these as through repetition and authorisation show Ritual in Parliament, a well as how these are subverted. Issues of us the continuity, change and ‘invention four year programme membership, representation, performance, of tradition’, which is such an important the symbolic, deliberation, authority, and part of representation of sovereign states, funded by the Leverhulme legitimacy were central to concerns of of legitimacy of these states as well as the programme. This was a multi-method, reputations of state institutions. Trust (2007-2011), interdisciplinary programme involving both 3. That both descriptive and substantive addressed this question. qualitative and quantitative research that representation become visible in and built on sociological, anthropological, through ceremony and ritual – bodies Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, MP, gave the historical and political literatures on in and out of place, debates and opening keynote address. Dr. Frene Ginwala, ceremony and ritual, state and state disruptions, regulation and its subversion the first Speaker of the post-apartheid South institutions, representation and gender to in parliament all work together to create African parliament gave the second keynote understand how power is reproduced in a representational affect. Legitimacy address at the conference. Lord Giddens parliamentary politics. of representation is built in part on hosted the reception at the House of Lords. the acceptance of these performative Four major insights emerged from the moments. The premise of the programme was that work of the programme: 4. That space, architecture and the symbolic in order to understand representative 1. That the state and its performance need to be studied more than studies of institutions we need to understand not only through ceremony and ritual are co- parliaments generally do – the theatre of their institutional form, but also the way constitutive. Ceremony and ritual representation is performed in particular a particular form takes shape – through have affect, which is important in the historical venues to which affective modes of behaviour, negotiating the development of institutions – citizens meaning can be and is attached, through political and physical space and creating an respond to, contest, neglect or reject the shaping and re-shaping of which institution specific culture which socializes aspects of ceremonial and ritualistic forms state norms become sedimented, but also members in their participation. Through the of power that is performed and in doing so contested and challenged. performance of ceremony and ritual such are in turn able to affect change, reform institutions create and maintain powerful or at least review rules and norms that To know more about the work of the symbols of power. These are, however, had hitherto been taken as given. programme, please visit the website: www2. also challenged through the mobilisation 2. That gendered ceremony and ritual warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/research/gcrp

18 | departmental news durham university establishes new durham global security institute

Chryssa Panoussiadou/Panos Pictures

In response to global developments Built around the expertise of 27 members of staff from across seven Departments, and housed in the School of Government and in conflict and conflict intervention, International Affairs, the Institute offers an inter-disciplinary Masters programme, a range of Continuing Professional Development courses, Durham University has launched the and research opportunities for doctoral, post-doctoral and visiting Durham Global Security Institute for researchers. Defence, Development and Diplomacy Two new MSc programmes The Institute offers two new MSc programmes – an MSc in Defence, (DGSi). Development and Diplomacy and an MSc in Conflict Prevention, Sustainable Peace and Security. The programmes are designed for The Institute has been created to provide an inter-disciplinary graduates seeking a career in government, the armed forces, inter- framework within which to critically examine the interplay governmental organisations, NGOs, as well as seasoned practitioners between defence, development and diplomacy in the contexts seeking career advancement and students looking for an academic of conflict prevention, humanitarian intervention and post- career in conflict, (critical) security, development or peace studies. conflict stabilisation and peacebuilding. Uniquely, DGSI situates itself at the intersection between defence and security studies, Continuing Professional Development courses development studies and international relations and peace As part of its Masters provision, the Institute offers a range of studies. It seeks to incorporate both traditional problem-solving Continuing Professional Development courses which are targeted and critical and subaltern perspectives, and to bridge academic specifically at mid-career practitioners seeking training in a specialist and practitioner perspectives from across the state, non-state and topic or set of skills. international sectors. For more information, contact the Director, Dr Jeroen Gunning at [email protected] or visit www.durham.ac.uk/dgsi

departmental news | 19 the responsibility to protect

Could culture contribute to The project, a collaboration between the Latin America, and Asia, to provide cultural CIS and the Ralphe Bunche Institute of the analyses of the norm of R2P from the the United Nation’s central Graduate Center of the City University of disciplines of religion, philosophy and objective of maintaining New York, culminated with the release of the aesthetics. The second part of the findings international peace and co-edited book by Rama Mani and Thomas is based on case studies and draws on local G. Weiss entitled Responsibility to Protect: scholars from Rwanda, Kosovo and Nepal security? Cultural Perspectives from the Global South to analyse the atrocities and international by Routledge in September 2011. The project interventions in their own countries from Could deeper cultural understanding help was funded by the Carnegie Corporation an embedded cultural perspective. The prevent or mitigate mass atrocities, and and the Arsenault Family Foundation, and findings are eye-opening, and challenge inform the international community on ran from February 2009 to September 2011. some of the conventional assumptions in how to intervene more appropriately and Following the failures and criticisms of IR and politics. The rich outcome of the effectively to save lives? Could an international interventions particularly in project demonstrates why local scholars who interdisciplinary consideration of implicit Rwanda and Kosovo, the member states of have personally experienced atrocities, and factors of religion, ethics, aesthetics and the United Nations adopted the concept sometimes participated actively in peace culture enable scholars of international of the Responsibility to Protect in 2005, efforts, can provide the kind of embedded relations and political science to enhance ostensibly to ‘never again’ allow genocide to analysis and local perspectives that elude their analysis and more effectively diagnose transpire unchecked. external observers and international scholars, causes of and remedies for mass atrocities? and it encourages stronger collaboration These were the questions addressed and The project undertook an unusual between Northern IR scholars and southern answered by the recently completed project interdisciplinary analysis of R2P to counterparts. at the Centre for International Studies, demonstrate how a deeper understanding Department of Politics and International of its cultural roots might strengthen the Finally, the project sought to underscore the Relations, University of Oxford entitled R2P norm and inform its implementation. ‘wisdom and ethics of philosophy, the values ‘Ending Mass Atrocities: Echoes in The project’s findings fall in two parts. The of spiritual consciousness and the ceaseless Southern Cultures’ directed by Senior first part of the findings is thematic,and creativity of art to prevent future outrages to Research Associate Dr Rama Mani. draws on southern scholars from Africa, the collective conscience.’ new degree for SOAS

The Department of Politics Publications University and Tariq Ramadan of Oxford Lawrence Saez has published two books this University. Also in October, Charles Tripp and International Studies year. He is the author of The South Asian helped to organise a one-day conference on at SOAS has launched a Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): ‘The Shi`a in the 20th and 21st Centuries’, An Emerging Collaboration Architecture under the auspices of the Centre for new MSc in Politics of (Routledge 2011) and the co-editor (with Academic Shi`a Studies and SOAS’s London China. Gurharpal Singh) of New Dimensions of Middle East Institute. Politics in India: The United Progressive The unique programme features year- Alliance in Power (Routledge 2011). In Knowledge Transfer long courses on both the Domestic and addition, Dafydd Fell’s new book Government Phil Clark’s expert report on conflict patterns International Politics of China, as well as and Politics in Taiwan (London: Routledge) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a Cross-Strait Relations/Taiwan. In other news, came out in November. central piece of evidence in the case of the SOAS-Birkbeck Politics research cluster Callixte Mbarushimana currently before the has also been awarded an additional ESRC Workshops International Criminal Court. In September, studentship by the Bloomsbury ESRC Doctoral Leslie Vinjamuri, Matt Nelson and Rochana his report was debated at length during the Training Centre. For information on applying Bajpai organised a one-day international pre-trial hearings in The Hague: http://iwpr. see: http://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/ workshop on religion and politics in October, net/report-news/defence-challenge-case- scholarships/economic-and-social-research- featuring a diverse range of speakers against-mbarushimana. council-esrc-studentships.html including Jack Snyder from Columbia

20 | departmental news the elected mayors agenda Wyn Grant, University of Warwick

Elected mayors are back referendum, but we hope that we can inform attractions of having an elected mayor is them and local political leaders about the that it can bring in new faces from outside on the political agenda pros and cons. If some cities choose to the traditional political class. Even so, to again and eleven core cities have mayors, is there anything that can be be a good elected mayor, you need people will be voting next May to done to make them more effective? What skills, but you also need the leadership is the role of elected mayors in providing and management skills to run a complex decide whether they want leadership to their cities and can they do organisation. That combination is not easy one (Leicester already has this better than council leaders? Do elected to find. It may not be a one size fits all one). That may increase the mayors make a real difference to their cities idea. However, that does not mean that and how do we know that they do? These are one cannot extract some useful general number of elected mayors some of the questions we shall pose. principles. We want our investigation to be currently ranging from the evidence based, and lead to a report that has rather special case of London Our early work suggests several challenges something new to say. that need to be met if the concept is to to smaller towns such as succeed. First, it is arguable that the powers People understandably complain about the Mansfield and Watford. of the elected mayors will be too limited deficiencies of existing democratic practices and that the whole scheme is too timid and and efforts to promote accountability and The Warwick Commission on Elected insufficiently radical. transparency often encounter pervasive Mayors which I am chairing has no prior cynicism. That doesn’t mean that one commitment to support or oppose elected How much is all this dependent on getting shouldn’t try. mayors. That is for voters to decide in a the right person in the job? One of the

birthday celebrations for jack hayward at hull

“European Disunion” at the Holiday Inn to support students. The remarkable Hull Marina Hotel. contribution that Jack Hayward has made to the development of the profession was The celebration was attended by a large further highlighted in a written message number of friends, colleagues and former from the Political Studies Association colleagues as well as former students, Chair, Prof Charlie Jeffery (University of some of whom travelled long distances Edinburgh), which stressed his role in to be at the event. Speeches by Prof helping to transform the Association in The Department of Politics and William Paterson (Aston University), which he remains active. International Studies organised a Lord Smith (formerly University of Hull) surprise 80th birthday celebration for and Dr Rudi Wurzel (University of Hull) Happy Returns Jack Professor Jack Hayward (University of emphasised Jack’s highly distinguished Everyone wished Jack, who has shown not Hull) immediately after the international academic achievements, his extraordinary the slightest sign of slowing down, a very workshop which Jack co-organised on the collegiality and his untiring willingness happy birthday and many happy returns.

relevance reward at goldsmiths

Dr. Georg Menz of the This funding will be used to enhance the and MA students entitled “The EU and Department of Politics at teaching offerings in the Department Immigration Policy: Contours of a New Goldsmiths has received and offer two new modules. Firstly, Policy Domain” will be rolled out. In its there will be a revamped and enhanced award letter, the European Commission support from the European flagship EU module targeted at third applauded the high relevance of the Commission’s Jean Monnet year undergraduates, entitled “The subject matter, particularly so given Programme for 2011-14. Political Economy of the European the relatively strong presence of ethnic Union”. Secondly, a new module open minorities amongst the Goldsmiths to both third year undergraduates student body.

departmental news | 21 student short video competition Helena Djurkovic, CEO, Political Studies Association

Winning team from Cheadle Hulme School. Ricky Freelove, Jenna Campbell, Megan Charlie Jeffery, Chair,Political Studies Association with runners-up Sadaf Mahmood, Randles and Charlie Troup at the recent Association Awards Ceremony Nilima Islam, Ushma Vyas and Angela Smith at the recent Association Awards Ceremony

Cynicism and widespread indifference to The teams were from schools almost perfectly distributed across the four corners of England: Cheadle Hulme School in Cheshire, Colyton politics are commonly believed to pervade Grammar in Devon, Ilford Ursuline High School in Essex and The youth culture. Admittedly a sizeable number King’s School Ely in Cambridgeshire. Each approached the challenge in a very different way – animation, interviews, humour and reportage of young people are ready to go on to all figured in their work – which made the decision of the jury the streets to protest against the increase extremely difficult. In the event the jurors took into account the quality of the concepts presented in the films, the ease with which in university tuition fees but, argue the the teams could elaborate and expand on those ideas in discussion middle-aged critics, they are motivated by a and the degree to which the individuals coalesced into teams that were stronger by virtue of working together. sense of self-interest; there is little genuine engagement in broader political debate. Jenna Campbell, Ricky Freelove, Megan Randles and Charlie Troup from Cheadle Hulme School were declared the winners on the day and received their trophy at the 2011 Association Awards Dinner on 29th The Political Studies Association’s Student Short Video Competition November in London. Their prize also includes an overnight stay in a was launched this summer to prove that many young people feel central London hotel on the night of the Awards. passionately about politics and are eager for their voices to be heard. The PSA invited students studying for A’ levels and Highers Given the quality of the competition, the jury decided that there in Government and Politics to make short videos that addressed should be an award for the runners-up and hence Nilima Islam, Sadaf the issue of “Why Politics Matters”. The results affirmed our faith Mahmood and Ushma Vyas from Ilford Ursuline High School also in the level of political debate and engagement in our schools and joined the team from Cheadle Hulme at the Awards Dinner on 29th the positive prospects that exist for political studies in British November. universities as new generations enter the discipline. Our thanks go to the Speaker, John Bercow, for hosting the jury On the 19th October fourteen bright, young students from four meeting in his beautiful apartments and showing such support for the short-listed teams gathered with their politics teachers at the State competition in its inaugural year. He was most generous in inviting Apartments in Speaker’s House at the Palace of Westminster to the winners and runners-up as his guest to PMQs on 30th November. discuss their work with a jury comprising John Bercow, the Speaker; Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty; Martin Rosenbaum, producer of The students were thrilled by the experience of visiting Speaker’s numerous Radio 4 political programmes; and representatives from the House and getting to discuss their work with the jurors, who in turn Political Studies Association – Professor Matt Flinders, Professor Jim left the event feeling energised by the young people’s energy and Newell and Helena Djurkovic, CEO. enthusiasm.

22 | departmental news commons foreign affairs committee looks for witnesses Brigid Fowler, Committee Specialist, House of Commons

The House of Commons abroad who call on the FCO’s consular particular policies. References to particular services, the members of the public who are past cases can be especially useful, as Foreign Affairs Committee most directly affected by FCO action are by long as you explain why they remain valid is currently looking definition not in the UK and thus difficult for guides to the present. to expand its pool of the Committee to access (although diaspora groups in the UK can be a useful source ❖ Comparative perspectives. You might have potential witnesses, among of information, if treated with a degree of detailed knowledge about how a country academics and other caution). other than the UK is going about tackling groups. By engaging, you a particular problem, and with what UK Priorities effects, that might help to inform the could boost your impact In this context, academics can be a valuable Committee’s thinking about the FCO. score for the Research source of information and ideas for the Excellence Framework, Committee, by making written submissions Action not Jargon (up to 3,000 words) and/or by giving oral Possibly the most useful contributions from and get you and your evidence to the Committee on a given day witnesses are ideas for realistic, concrete, institution involved in at Westminster. In scrutinising FCO policy, up-to-date recommendations for Government influencing policy if you’re the Committee is interested in whether the action that the Committee can consider FCO has identified or correctly prioritised and put to Ministers. What the Committee not already. the right objectives for the UK; whether it does not want from academics is academic is pursuing them in an effective way; and jargon and news about whether your research Like other Select Committees, the House of whether it has the right skills and resources supports one theoretical framework rather Commons Foreign Affairs Committee relies on in the right places to do the job. What can than another. What do you get out of it? You evidence from knowledgeable witnesses to academics bring to this process? might have the satisfaction of seeing your form its views and make recommendations to contribution cited in a House of Commons Government. Compared to many other Select ❖ A longer-term perspective. Members of the evidence session or report, which would Committees, however, the Foreign Affairs Committee change, as do FCO officials (and presumably count as ‘impact’ for the purposes Committee may be especially reliant on Committee staff); but if you have been of the new Research Excellence Framework. academics as witnesses. tracking a particular country or region for And you would have contributed to improving years, you may know best how the UK is the quality of understanding and scrutiny in Remit to Shadow perceived there, or whether UK policy is the elected legislature. Under the Standing Orders of the House repeating past mistakes or reinventing the of Commons, the Committee’s remit is to wheel. scrutinise the “expenditure, administration and policy” of the department it shadows, ❖ Alternative sources of information. Sign up soon namely the Foreign and Commonwealth Office There is no shortage of publicly accessible If you are interested in engaging with (FCO). Select Committees that shadow other information about what is going on the Committee, the best place to start is Departments are able to turn to teaching in most parts of the world; but the its website, www.parliament.uk/facom, unions, say, or professional bodies, or information deluge may perversely make and the best thing to do is to sign up to transport user groups, or industry groups to the Committee more reliant on the FCO’s receive its press notices by email. hear first-hand about Government policy, in own assessments. If you have been terms of both its delivery and its impact. tracking - and ideally visiting - a country These will let you know of the MPs hear direct from their constituents about or region for years, and talk to people who Committee’s inquiries, evidence sessions the state of their local hospital or school or may be outside the FCO’s normal sphere of and calls for submissions. As of mid- roads. contacts, you may be well-placed to judge November, the Committee is completing whether the FCO has its information and an inquiry into piracy off Somalia, In the case of the FCO, however, policy its assumptions right. You might also gain nearing the end of inquiries into Turkey delivery is overwhelmingly in the hands impressions of the skills and resources and the FCO’s annual performance and of the department itself; and the primary that the FCO is bringing to bear that might finances, and embarking on an inquiry ‘recipients’ of policy are the governments differ from the FCO’s own story. into the ‘Arab Spring’. and diplomats of other countries and the officials of international organisations, who ❖ Hard evidence about what works (and what It will be announcing at least one may not be able to give evidence publicly doesn’t). If you have detailed knowledge, further inquiry before Christmas. The to the Committee about what the FCO is you may be able to go beyond media Committee will greatly value your doing, in interactions that are by definition assumptions and prejudices to help the contributions. conducted in private. Apart from UK citizens Committee understand the effects of engagement | 23 giving evidence to the home affairs committee on violent radicalisation Matthew Goodwin, University of Nottingham

Riot Police Fight Angry Mob Matthew Goodwin, University of Nottingham In May 2011, the Home Affairs of the electoral rise of the British National Party (BNP), the arrival of the Defence Leagues and the attacks that were committed in Norway Committee launched a new inquiry by Anders Behring Breivik - there was a specific interest in the to examine the root causes of violent evidence base on right-wing extremism. radicalisation in the UK. Sustained Engagement The invitation followed a sustained period of engagement with the Cabinet Office, Department for Communities and Local Government The Committee was particularly interested in exploring a set (DCLG) and Conservative Party. Over the past year (and preceding of salient issues: individuals and groups who are particularly the events in Norway), there has been an upsurge of interest among vulnerable to ‘radicalisation’; where processes of radicalisation policymakers in the drivers of support for right-wing extremist groups. take place; the operation and impact of the current process In fact, conversations with policy officers at the local level often for proscribing terrorist groups; the effectiveness of current reveal a stronger interest in the drivers of support for groups such as preventative approaches to violent radicalisation; and to make the English Defence League (EDL) than AQ-inspired manifestations. recommendations that inform forthcoming revisions to the Government’s ‘Prevent’ strategy. This interest resulted in invitations to write Ministerial briefs on anti- Muslim sentiment and right-wing extremism, inform the work of the Drivers of Recruitment All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, In the public mindset, violent forms of extremism and radicalisation disseminate research to the Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Unit are often associated with al-Qaeda or ‘AQ’-inspired terrorism. Yet the (CTIU) and liaise with groups such as the Holocaust Educational Trust. Committee was also careful to express its interest in examining the More broadly, at the School of Politics and International Relations at drivers of recruitment to alternative manifestations of extremism, and Nottingham we have been contributing directly to strands of work in relation to the primary terrorist threats facing the UK. Aside from by the think tank Policy Network and local authorities in the East ‘Islamic fundamentalism’, these include Irish dissident republicanism Midlands and North West. www.psa.ac.uk/spgrp/39/polthought.aspx and domestic extremism. Within the latter - and against the backdrop

24 | engagement Logical Response extreme right-wing voters (alongside Robert Ford and David Cutts The simple reality is that since 11th September 2001, attempts of the University of Manchester). At the same time, however, while to tackle extremism and counter processes of radicalisation have research across Europe speaks loudly to some of the questions focused almost exclusively on AQ-inspired terrorism and Muslim that were asked by the Committee – such as who votes for the communities. This marked a logical response to the new priorities of extreme right and why – it speaks quietly or not at all to other national security agencies, but it also left some communities feeling areas that were of interest. For example, we still know little about stigmatised and the Government’s Prevent strategy with ‘an inevitably the relationship between right-wing extremist support and levels of less developed understanding’ of alternative forms of extremism. This racially or religiously motivated violence (if one even exists), and noticeable weakness has since come into sharper focus, particularly our understanding of the role of social media and networks are weak given the confrontational activities of the EDL and the imprisonment when compared to research on alternative movements. While there is of over a dozen individuals with links to the extreme right who either a burgeoning literature on support for radical or extreme right-wing engaged in open violence or were planning acts of terrorism. You parties, few studies have considered the potential policy implications might have heard of Anders Breivik, but what about Robert Cottage, and there is similarly very little work on the profile, motivations and Neil Lewington or Terence Gavan? pathways of individuals who have engaged in violence. As I pointed out to the Committee, while we now know a lot more about right- Supported by funding from the ESRC and British Academy, we sought wing extremism, there are still many questions for social scientists to to address part of this gap by undertaking a series of studies of answer.

in praise of social democracy

Matthew Goodwin, University of Nottingham

John Denham MP and Kevin Hickson, University of Liverpool Roy Hattersley, Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Helen Goodman MP

Dr Kevin Hickson, It argues that the best - if not the only two authors, John Denham MP, Helen - way for the Labour Party to win the Goodman MP and David Walker (Guardian). Senior Lecturer in the next General Election is to be overtly Politics Department ideological and that orthodox social A further discussion is planned to coincide at the University of democracy is highly relevant in current with the publication of the article at political and economic circumstances. the University of Liverpool in February Liverpool has recently with local parliamentarians. Details written an article with The article is available online at: are available from Kevin Hickson on http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ [email protected] Roy Hattersley, the doi/10.1111/j.1467-923X.2011.02259.x/ former Deputy Leader pdf and will be published in the January More knowledge exchange/political of the Labour Party for edition of the journal with a number of education events are planned in venues responses by senior figures. The article around the country and the article has The Political Quarterly has already attracted widespread interest. been the focus of discussion on the LSE entitled, ‘In Praise of A packed room listened to the discussion politics blog and will lead to further held at the House of Lords on 26th publications and research collaborations. Social Democracy’. October with contributions from the

engagement| 25 Jack Hayward receiving the ‘Sir Ron Johnston receiving the Jenni Murray, Jane Garvey and Jill Burridge, the winners of the ‘Engaging the Public’ award for Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime ‘Politics/Political Studies ‘Woman’s Hour’, BBC Radio 4 Contribution to Political Studies’ Communicator’ award

Jon Snow, Charlie Jeffery, Chair, Political Studies Association presenting Tim Bale and Iain McLean, joint winners of the 2011 ‘W.J.M. Mackenzie Book Prize’ alongside Jon Snow and Professor William Paterson with a ‘Special Recognition’ Award Dominic Lawson, journalist

Jon Snow (Channel 4 News), Master of Ceremony with Alex Danchev and Ion Trewin, winners of the ‘Innovation in Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, recipients of the ‘Publication Teaching Politics’ award and Terry Dignan, BBC of the Year’ award for ‘The Spirit Level’

Tom Watson, who received an award Peter Hain, Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland presenting Steven Dorrell, who received an award for ‘Backbencher of the Year’ for ‘Backbencher of the Year’ the ‘Journalist of the Year Award’ to Daniel Finkelstein with Dame Ann Leslie, Daily Mail