Governance Review Heralds Constitutional Change for Association the Regulatory Framework Have Altered Substantially

March 2010, ISSN 0955-6281, Vol. 21 No. 1

Governance Review heralds Constitutional Change for Association the regulatory framework have altered substantially. As a result, during 009, the Executive Committee agreed to establish a small Working Group on Governance, Chaired by Professor Terrell Carver. The Working Group was Vicky Randall being admitted to AcSS December 009 tasked with investigating further the implications of the legal changes for the continued work of the Association including any requirement to amend its Constitution. The Working Group sought Fit for Purpose legal advice to inform its deliberations Paul Carmichael, and to advise on whether there were Honorary Secretary any changes that the Association was Paul Carmichael, compelled to introduce to continue to Over the past ten years, the Association Honorary Secretary comply with the law. In addition, advice has grown considerably, measured not was sought on areas where, for reasons least in a rise in membership to over Following the Charities Act, 006, the of good practice in the sector and general 1,800 members, a near ten-fold rise in law governing the work of charities in tidying up of any areas of uncertainty, the annual turnover to nearly £900,000, the UK has changed. Some aspects of (continued on page 10) and the development of successful new high-profile events and activities such as the annual Awards Ceremony. The burden of work on the National Conference 2010 - Celebrating Office in Newcastle has grown, as has the burden on the Trustees, especially Association’s 60th Anniversary the Officers of the Association. The This year’s Political Studies Association lectures and a range of social activities. Political Studies Association is no longer Annual Conference, running from 0th As ever, politics publishers will be there a small organisation run by volunteers March-1st April in Edinburgh, will be the in force at the Conference Publishers’ aided by a part-time secretary – its staff biggest ever. Marking the Association’s Exhibition. The main part of the base has needed to expand to reflect its 60th Anniversary there will be around conference, with those 80 panels, increased activities. 80 panel sessions, a number of set-piece (continued on back cover) (continued on page 10)

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 1 11/03/2010 15:54:02 Department Profile Profiling Edinburgh PIR

Edinburgh’s John Peterson meets with Commission President José Manuel Barroso

Overview a central, strategic position in both peterson_john.) MERCURY brings Edinburgh Politics and International national and international networks of together scholars from the University of Relations (PIR) is a busy, buzzy place. scholars working on the EU. The unique Köln, Cambridge University, the Institute During the last RAE period, post- environment of Scotland’s capital city of International Affairs (Rome), Sciences graduate and staff numbers both tripled. allows us to engage extensively with the Po (Paris), SIPRI (Stockholm), Charles Research funding increased 8-fold. By Scottish policy community. University (Prague), the University many measures, Edinburgh PIR had the of Pretoria, and Fudan University most improved RAE performance of any (Shanghai). Politics and IR subject area in the UK. Charlie Jeffery and Ailsa The University itself placed in the top 20 Henderson are leading an ESF European in the 2009 University World Rankings. Collaborative Research Fund grant on ‘Citizenship after the Nation-State Research at Edinburgh (CANS)’. The project team includes Our core research themes are territorial collaborators in Austria, France, politics, the European Union, and Germany, Spain and the UK. It will international relations. Our Institutes produce a 14-region multi-national study (Europa Institute, Institute of of public attitudes towards “regional Governance, Just World Institute) and citizenship” to determine whether Research Groups offer homes to all regions may be now considered primary staff and postgraduates. Much of our sites of citizenship. Nominees for Edinburgh student union teaching work focuses on challenges posed by awards at Edinburgh PIR new institutional settings: devolution, Policy Change European integration, multilateral Major Grants Edinburgh PIR is also home to a cooperation, and the new international Edinburgh PIR has been successful £970,000 EU Excellence Grant security threats. Edinburgh also has a in securing a number of major grants ‘Expanding the Knowledge Base of strong political theory strand, analyzing (see http://www.pol.ed.ac.uk/). Mark European Labour Migration Policies issues of justice, rights and legitimacy. Aspinwall and John Peterson lead the (KNOWMIG)’ led by Christina Boswell. Edinburgh’s Europa Institute (www. £2 million project ‘Multilateralism This project explores the impact of policy law.ed.ac.uk/europa) is the longest- and the EU in the Contemporary change on East-West migration, focusing established centre of advanced study Global Order (MERCURY)’, which on migration from Poland and Romania on European integration in the UK. examines the EU’s contribution to to Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. It brings together world-class scholars “effective multilateralism”. (John’s It also examines how knowledge feeds with specialties in EU politics, policy MERCURY-linked lecture on ‘Obama into European policy-making. and law. Co-led by PIR’s own Chad and Multilateralism’ is available at Elizabeth Bomberg and Nicola Damro, the Europa Institute occupies http://www.pol.ed.ac.uk/staff_profiles/ McEwen have recently been awarded

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 2 11/03/2010 15:54:07 Department Profile

£90,000 from the UK Energy Research of one of the world’s most powerful Council to study ‘Grassroots Action international administrations. The and the Politics of Energy Governance President of the Commission, José New Centre for in Scotland’. One of its key aims is to Manuel Barroso, commended the integrate political science perspectives project, saying that the results would the Study of (such as multi-level governance) into help the administration become “more energy research - a field still dominated efficient and effective and better able to British Idealism by natural science approaches. serve European citizens”. The research team will be briefing top officials at Hull Recent works on their findings in March and hold We are committed to publishing the knowledge exchange sessions open to The Department of Politics and results of our work in top-quality outlets. all Commission officials later in the International Studies at the University Recent examples include: spring. of Hull has opened a new Centre for ❖ Iain Hardie and David Howarth’s “Die ❖ Pontus Odmalm’s ESRC-funded ‘Old the Study of British Idealism (CSBI). Krise but not La Crise? The Financial Politics, New Issues and Institutional The launch event, hosted by the Centre Crisis and the Transformation of Constraints’ project involves extensive Directors Colin Tyler and James German and French Banking Systems”, exchanges with parliamentarians in the Connelly, was a conference at Tickton Journal of Common Market Studies, UK, Sweden and the Netherlands to Grange Hotel, outside Hull, held 15th 2009, 47, 5: 1017-39 gauge what determines party positions - 17th December 2009. This very ❖ Cécile Fabre’s Justice in a Changing on immigration and EU membership. successful event, which was funded World (Polity Press, 2007) jointly by the Association’s British ❖ Dominic Johnson’s Failing to Win Idealism Specialist Group and the (Harvard University Press, 2006), with Department of Politics and International Dominic Tierney, which won the ISA Studies at the University of Hull, brought best book award. together scholars from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere. Knowledge Exchange Professor David Weinstein, whose latest As part of our work, we have a special book was a key focus of the conference, interest in communication and will be a Visiting Scholar at the CSBI for knowledge exchange with end users. Francis Fukuyama at an Edinburgh Politics IR event much of 2010, during which time he For example: in 2006 will give several lectures and seminars, ❖ Andrew Neal and Tim Hayward have including a Royal Institute for Philosophy created the ‘University of Edinburgh Community lecture and a seminar for Hull’s Institute Military Forum’ within the Just We work hard, but also have a good of Applied Ethics. For more details on the World Institute. Harnessing expertise time. One of our top priorities at conference see report page 15-16). from across the university, it fosters Edinburgh Politics and IR is to nurture dialogue and understanding between a strong sense of intellectual and social Promoting Scholarly Research soldiers and academics. The Forum community. We are determined to make The CSBI runs an MA in Civilisation, was launched in December 2008 at our students feel as if they are part of Terrorism and Dissent, as well as the JWI event, “Soldier Meets Citizen”, it. We organise student trips, receptions supervising doctoral research on the a public debate between General Sir to mark special events, and support history and contemporary relevance of Mike Jackson, former head of the our student-led Politics Society (www. British idealism. The CSBI promotes British army, and an academic panel eupolsoc.org.uk) and IR (http://www. scholarly research on British idealism on the moral and ethical challenges of ir-society.co.uk/IR_Society/Welcome%21. by providing a source of expertise and, modern war. Its next event, drawing html), which themselves organise a through its website, resources, as well on the expertise of Claire Duncanson, diverse range of activities. as producing publications and running is a workshop on the changing gender We also host a range of public conferences. In 2012 the CSBI will host dynamics of the army in altered seminars and events (most notably our a conference jointly with the UK Kant operational environments. weekly Transatlantic Seminar Series) with Society. ❖ John Peterson and Andrew Thompson, leading political and academic figures, The CSBI was created by Colin along with Hussein Kassim (University recently including Francis Fukuyama, Tyler and James Connelly to capitalise of East Anglia), have made knowledge and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO on the growing interest in many exchange a priority of their project Secretary-General and former Prime countries in British idealism as both an ‘The European Commission of the Minister of Denmark (all our big events intellectual movement and an influence 21st Century: Views from the Inside’, are now available as podcasts or web on public policy. Tyler and Connelly have with over £250,000 in ESRC funding. videos at www.pol.ed.ac.uk/events). written extensively on British idealism, The project surveyed over 4000 Our Head of Subject, John Peterson, including T.H. Green, R.G. Collingwood Commission officials and produced a has set for us the objective “to establish and Michael Oakeshott, and also have large, original dataset that will be the Edinburgh as one of the world’s premier produced several editions of previously primary source for an authoritative institutions at which to study and do unpublished material from British study (with Oxford University Press) research on Politics and IR”. idealist archives. Both are editors of

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 3 11/03/2010 15:54:08 Department News

Collingwood and British Idealism Studies, the leading academic journal in the field, Oxford Hosts New Project on whose executive editor is David Boucher. Professor Nöel O’Sullivan (Emeritus, the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ Hull), editor of one of Imprint Academics three British Idealism series, is also a project originate from countries that member of the CSBI. have experienced violent conflict or mass atrocities, and have first-hand experience International Renown in living through and addressing these This Centre has a number of associate Oxford University’s Centre for issues. members, each of whom is an International Studies (CIS) is A conference was held on 15th internationally-renowned scholar of collaborating with the New York-based January 2010 at CIS that brought British idealism or New Liberalism: Global Centre for the Responsibility together the authors and the editors Leslie Armour (Dominican University to Protect to undertake research into with scholars from diverse disciplines College, Ottawa), Michael Beaney (York), the status of the evolving norm of the — including Politics and International David Boucher (Cardiff), Michael Freeden ‘responsibility to protect’ (R2P). Relations —primarily from the University (Oxford), Peter Nicholson (formerly A major aim of the project is to of Oxford. The purpose was to provide a York), Raymond Plant (King’s, London), draw on the knowledge of Southern forum for interaction between scholars Ian Tregenza (Macquarie), Andrew scholars whose work is often highly at Oxford and the project’s authors, Vincent (Sheffield) and David Weinstein respected and well known within their and to discuss the draft papers for the (Wake Forest). home countries or regions but is often publication and the project as a whole. The CSBI continues the not known or ignored in the Politics Further details about the Department’s long association with and International Relations literature project can be found at http://cis. idealist philosophy, not least as found and in policy circles around the United politics.ox.ac.uk/research/Projects/ in the work of Raymond Plant and the Nations. All the contributors to the R2Psouthernperspectives.asp. late R.N. Berki. For further information on the Centre for the Study of British Idealism, contact either: ❖ Colin Tyler [email protected] or News at the Institute for the ❖ James Connelly [email protected] or Study of the Americas ❖ visit the CSBI website at www.hull.ac.uk/pas. British Library; and University of Warwick, Department of Politics and International Studies. Keynote speaker: Ambassador Association’s Heads of Nancy Soderberg, President Clinton’s Department Conference NSC Staff Director (1993-97), December 2009 New Degree Offerings US Ambassador to the United Nations ❖ MA in Caribbean and Latin American (1995-2001), and author of The Studies Superpower Myth: The Use and Misuse of ❖ MSc in Latin American Studies American Might (2005). (Development) See www.americas.sas.ac.uk/events/ The two new degrees complement programmes/women_US_FP.html for existing postgraduate programmes on more details. Latin American politics and US politics and foreign policy, with additional course Forthcoming publications: Patrick Dunleavy, LSE, speaking at the options focusing on history, economics, The following titles, to be published conference. sociology and cultural studies as they by the Institute for the Study of the relate to the Americas region. Americas, are due out in spring 2010: Visit www.americas.sas.ac.uk/ ❖ Caamaño in London: the Exile of a Latin postgraduate_study.htm for more American Revolutionary, Fred Halliday information. (see www.sas.ac.uk/publication_view. html?id=726) Women and US Foreign Policy ❖ The Impact of the Great Recession on Conference Social Security and Welfare in Latin Friday 21st May | Organised by the America and the Caribbean, Carmelo Margaret Arnott, Glasgow Caledonian Institute for the Study of the Americas; Mesa-Lago (see www.sas.ac.uk/ University. the Eccles Centre for American Studies, publication_view.html?id=727).

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 4 11/03/2010 15:54:13 Department News King’s College - Department of War Studies and the Defence Studies Department

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dr John Gearson was interviewed on Republic of Turkey, addressed a packed Sky News about counter-terrorism auditorium on the topic of ‘Converging as well as Dr Dorman, from the interests of Turkey and the UK in an Defence Studies Department (DSD) enlarged EU and beyond’ on the 12th interviewed on the Green Paper on January 2010. Radio 4. Dr Tim Bird (DSD) was interviewed on improvised explosive Military Pedagogy devices both on Radio 4 and Dr Huw The Defence Studies Department Davies (DSD) discussed the history of (DSD), held a successful conference Afghanistan and Britain’s role on BBC from 9th-11th December entitled Radio Scotland’s Newsweek Scotland. ‘Military Training and Education: who needs what where and when?” Publications and Prizes co-convened by Mrs Victoria Syme- Dr William Philpott (Bloody Victory) Bob Ainsworth Taylor, Chairman of The International Dr John Mackinley (The Insurgent Association for Military Pedagogy Archipelago) and Professor Mats The new academic year began with and a member of the Defence Studies Berdal (Building Peace After War) an address by the Secretary of State Department and Dr David Whetham, each celebrated the publication of of Defence, Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (DSD) and King’s College London’s their respective books. Dr Harsh MP (pictured) who spoke on ‘Fitting Defence Ethics Network, with support Pant (DSD) was awarded the 2009 K. Defence for the Future: towards the from Hull University’s Military Subrahmanyam Award for “Excellence next Strategic Defence Review. The Ethics Education Network. For more in Research on Strategic and Security event was hosted by the Centre for information please go to www.kcl. Issues,” the only award of its kind in Defence Studies (CDS) directed by Dr ac.uk/sspp/defence/news. India. Professor Philip Sabin received John Gearson. On the 10th November ‘The Gulf and the Globe the 2009 ‘most innovative teacher Professor Patrick Salmon, Chief Conference (II)” being convened by of the year’ King’s Award, while the Historian, Foreign and Commonwealth Dr Saul Kelly (DSD) under the auspices academic author of the year was Office gave a lecture on ‘Mrs Thatcher of the Corbett Centre for Maritime awarded to Professor Sir Lawrence & the German Question’. The lecture, Policy Studies will take place on Freedman, also currently on the formerly the Michael Dockrill Lecture, 20th – 22nd July 2010 at the Joint committee of the Iraq War enquiry. was renamed, The Saki Ruth Dockrill Services Command and Staff College, Memorial Lecture, in memory of the Shrivenham. New appointments for 2010 loss of an esteemed colleague and War Studies: Dr Alessio Patalano friend, Professor Saki Dockrill, who Stellar Events has been appointed as Lecturer with died on 8 August 2009 after a long The event programme within the specialism in East Asia. Dr Rudra battle with leukaemia. Saki Dockrill War Studies Group continues to Chaudhuri, Lecturer for contemporary was a wonderful teacher and her grow from strength to strength, with warfare, security issues and global dedication earned the affection of an unmatchable selection of key conflict both of whom secured a generations of King’s students. international figures coming to talk on PhD from the Department this year, A memorial service was held in King’s the issues surrounding warfare. For a and Mr Huw Dylan, previously at College Chapel on 27th October and complete listing please go to Aberystwyth, has been appointed attended by over 200 of her colleagues, www.kcl.ac.uk/warstudies/events. Lecturer in Intelligence studies. friends and family. Members of the Department of War Defence Studies Department: Studies have been engaged in a wealth Dr Jonathan Fennell, a Lecturer in War and Genocide of media activity. Professor Wyn Air Power Studies Division, RAF The 2010 Annual Lecture was given by Bowen, who recently organised a two Cranwell, based for the most part Professor Martin Shaw, University of day conference on Nuclear Security of RAF Halton, replaced Mr Jeff Sussex on the topic’ War & Genocide’ to contribute to Obama’s Nuclear Michaels who has accepted a two year closely followed by a keynote lecture Security Summit in April has been research fellowship under Professor on ‘Afghanistan & its lessons for the actively involved in media debates Sir Lawrence Freedman. Miss Katie future of conflict’ by Dr John Nagl, surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Drake joined the Air Power Sudies Visiting Professor of the War Studies non-proliferation and disarmament, Division at Cranwell in November Department. including appearances on BBC World to replace Dr Christian Anrig who Another high profile speaker, namely TV News, BBC World Service, Radio 4 returned to Switzerland at the end His Excellency Ahmet Davutoglu, and Five Live. of September.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 5 11/03/2010 15:54:14 Department News University of Birmingham Department of Political Science and International Studies

New Appointments The Institute for German Studies at coming 2012 Olympics and to inform Dr Sevasti-Eleni Vezirgiannidou joined POLSIS the academic community through the POLSIS on January 1st as a lecturer in During the 2009-2010 academic year, publication of a Special Issue of the leading international organisations. She holds the Institute for German Studies (IGS) sport policy journal International Journal a PhD from Essex University and has at POLSIS has played host to a series of of Sport Policy. For further information recently finished a Mellon Post-Doctoral Visiting Scholars, all leading international contact Jonathan on [email protected]. Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. scholars in the field of German Studies. A one day event, organised by the Her work is in the field of international These visiting researchers have joined POLSIS IR theory group on ‘Aesthetics environmental governance and politics us from the various “sister” institutes and Global Politics’ held on the 11th of July and she has published on climate change for research on contemporary Germany, last year at the UoB. The plenary talk was politics. She is currently working on a all part of the global alliance of research given by Professor Roland Bleiker for the project on EU leadership in climate change centres which receive support from the University of Queensland. Proceedings negotiations, and another on the role of German Academic Exchange Service of the conference will be published in a emerging economies in environmental (DAAD). The Visiting Scholars programme special issue of Global Society later this governance. has allowed the IGS, Britain’s leading year. POLSIS and CREES also co-organised Dr Marco Vieira joined POLSIS centre for the study of contemporary a major two day conference, funded by in January 2010 having previously Germany to create stronger and deeper CEELBAS, POLSIS and the College in early taught international relations at LSE, connections with its partner institutions July 2009. The conference, organised by King’s College and SOAS. His research and staff working within them. This is the Caucasus and Central Asia working is currently focused on the rising particularly valuable given the imminent group at the UoB, brought together some influence of ‘South powers’, specially arrival of the new Director of the IGS in of the leading experts on the two regions. South Africa, India and Brazil, and their 2010, Professor Sarah Colvin. Sarah joins The proceedings will be published in a growing importance in reshaping global Rainer Hillebrand, Carolyn Rowe and Kerry special issue of Europe-Asia Studies. governance structures, Dr Vieira is the Longhurst, the Institute’s core academic Michelle Pace’s BISA working group author of various articles and conference members of staff. Plans for 2010 centre on in International Mediterranean Studies papers. He is also the co-author of the a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research will be supporting a forthcoming major book ‘The South in World Politics’ (with project analysing “Zeitgeist? Dimensions conference on “Rethinking the Middle Chris Alden and Sally Morphet). He is of German identities in the 21st Century”. East? Values, Interests, and Security currently working on a new research The project involves a number of scholars Concerns in Western Policies toward Iraq project about the North/South divide and from the UK and abroad. and the Wider Region, 1918-2010”, which the global governance of climate change. takes place at the British Academy in Polsis and the Treasury London this March. For more information New Journal for POLSIS On the 9th December 2009 Colin Thain please contact Lars Berger at L.Berger@ The Department is delighted to announce delivered a very successful seminar at All salford.ac.uk. Colin Thain presented a that the journal Civil Wars will be moving Souls College Oxford testing some of the paper at the British Politics Research to POLSIS in 2010. The new editorial early conclusions of his ESRC project on Group at the University of Birmingham team – Edward Newman, Asaf Siniver and the Treasury. The seminar was conducted on 13th January on ‘Was it such a good idea Stefan Wolff from POLSIS and Karl Cordell under Chatham House Rules in front of giving operational independence to the Bank from the University of Plymouth – will an invited audience of 30 current and of England?’. Details can be found at www. build upon the solid foundations that the former Treasury officials, and selected colinthain.com. journal currently has in order to broaden academics, in the superb setting of the Old its appeal and extend its support base. Library at All Souls College. The highlight New Books by Polsis Staff Exciting new plans will involve raising of the day was a specially prepared paper ❖ Ces Moore and C. Farrands (eds.) the profile of the journal, strengthening by the current Permanent Secretary to the International Relations Theory and the readership amongst those interested Treasury, Sir Nick Macpherson on ‘The Philosophy: Interpretive Dialogues in security studies and international Evolution of the Modern Treasury’. Details ❖ Ronen Palan, Richard Murphy, and relations more widely, and connecting to can be found at www.treasuryproject.org. Christian Chavageux, Tax Havens: How broader debates in the field. The journal Globalization Really Works is moving to Birmingham as a part of Conferences and seminars ❖ Adam Quinn, US Foreign Policy in the University’s plans to significantly Jonathan Grix is convening a major Context: National Ideology from the strengthen its investment in the areas conference entitled ‘Fit for London, 2012? Founders to the Bush Doctrine of armed conflict and security, and it An Assessment of UK Sport Policy in ❖ Laura J Shepherd (ed.) Gender Matters in will be run alongside a number of other Comparative Contexts’ at the University Global Politics successful journals in POLSIS including of Birmingham on 19th July 2010. The Further details about POLSIS at the British Politics, European Journal of Political intended impact is to influence the sport University of Birmingham can be found at Theory, and Ethnopolitics. policy community in the light of the up- http://www.polsis.bham.ac.uk/.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 6 11/03/2010 15:54:15 Department News 90th Anniversary Celebrations at Aberystwyth meeting three aims: to mark the 90th International Security Forum Sir Emyr Jones Parry anniversary of our department; to remind Professor Colin McInnes launched the us of the vital issues of 1919 into which Report of the Research Councils’ UK this Department was born, including the (RCUK) International Security Forum at peace settlement after the Great War; a major conference in London on 13th and to highlight climate change as the January 2010 chaired by Gordon Corera, greatest challenge that confronts us 90 The Department’s 90th Anniversary years on. Global Uncertainties celebrations commenced with a keynote A videocast of Professor Clark’s Security for All, key ﬁndings, lecture by Sir Emyr Jones Parry entitled lecture is available on our website at: Report of the Interim ‘Eight Things You Need to Know about http://www.aber.ac.uk/interpol/en/ International Security Forum, Multilateral Diplomacy’. Sir Emyr is one Videocasts.htm. Professor Colin of this country’s most distinguished These three lectures – along with McInnes diplomats. He drew upon his immense a range of other events – made for a experience to deliver an insightful brilliant start to the 90th anniversary and memorable survey that not only session. The programme now continues highlighted the skills of international into 2010 with a packed schedule diplomacy but also corrected several stretching through the year. misconceptions relating to its channels and processes. the BBC’s security correspondent. The Report identifies key findings from Nik Gowing workshops on eight security issues and Main presenter of areas for future research. The eight BBC World News issues were: Food Security, Health Security, Energy security, Resilience, Security in Cities, Poverty and Security, Water Security, and Ethics and Security. The Report is available at http://www. The second lecture in this 90th globaluncertainties.org.uk. Anniversary series was delivered by Nik Gowing - the main presenter of BBC World News, which is a flagship programme of the BBC’s 24-hour international channel. In his talk - Skyful of Lies and Black Swans – Mr Gowing gave a richly illustrated report on the impact of new lightweight communication technologies and real-time information flows on the ability of traditional power structures to manage the content and Inaugural Lecture direction of news agendas. Hidemi Suganami delivered a brilliant Professorial Inaugural Lecture to Ian Clark Copenhagen and Climate Change an overflowing Main Hall in the Professor and Fellow A one-day symposium addressing the International Politics Building on 10th of the British Academy topic of climate change was organised December 2009. The title of his lecture and hosted by the David Davies Memorial was ‘Positioning’. Institute (DDMI) at Aberystwyth. Professor Suganami’s lecture Entitled “Copenhagen and Climate spanned his childhood in Japan (and Change: The Stakes; The Politics”, the the influence that these early Ian Clark, our own E H Carr Professor symposium took place on 6th November experiences have had on his work), an and Fellow of the British Academy, 2009, in advance of the 15th United account of his intellectual inspiration ended the semester’s celebrations with Nations Climate Change Conference and orientation, and his current thinking a challenging and timely lecture entitled which convened on complex questions of causation. ‘Copenhagen: The New Versailles?’ to in December. The lecture was delivered with the an audience of 250 people in the Old A videocast of the event is available characteristic mixture of insight, rigour, College. In this lecture, Professor Clark for viewing on the DDMI home page at: depth and eloquence that we have effortlessly brought together seemingly www.aber.ac.uk/interpol/en/research/ all come to associate with Professor disparate themes and succeeded in DDMI/DavidDavies.htm. Suganami’s work.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 7 11/03/2010 15:54:16 Department News

Adam Price MP gives IWP Annual Lecture Conference report from Nottingham’s Centre for British Politics

Indeed, during the closing roundtable Lawrence Marks, co-creator of Alan B’Stard, revealed that this character – who epitomized the Tory ‘sleaze’ of the 1990s - grew out of his experience as a journalist researching the Thorpe case. The difficulty of getting The Institute of Welsh Politics was very works deemed ‘political’ through the pleased to welcome Adam Price MP to television commissioning process deliver its 11th Annual Lecture entitled was also something of a common Cymru: Y Coloni Cyntaf ac Olaf Un experience. (Wales: the first and last colony), and in it, he hoped to convince the audience of Fiction and Politics “three propositions no less revolutionary The academics present explored some for all their simplicity; that the longue of the more theoretical issues posed durée of English imperialism began here by looking at fictions about politics, in Wales; that the deepest legacy it has drawing together the concerns of left is psychological. political thought, history, literature And that national liberation, if and film studies as well cultural it is to mean anything, has to be a studies. They also looked at specific liberation of the mind. Otherwise we examples of fictions about politics will be condemning ourselves to be not from Henry VI, the Sherlock Holmes just the first but also the final colony”. stories, the interwar novels of Bilingual copies of the lectures will soon Winifred Holtby and the Labour MP be available from the Institute of Welsh Ellen Wilkinson, through to the more Politics at [email protected]. recent examples such as The Amazing On 11th December 2009, Nottingham Mrs Pritchard. New Staff and Promotions University’s Centre for British Politics While the likes of Yes Minister The Department is pleased to welcome held a conference at the British and The Thick of It were inevitably two new members of staff working in the Academy that drew together politicians, discussed at length during the day, area of Intelligence studies; Dr Daniel writers and academics to explore the it became clear that there are many Hucker, Lecturer in Intelligence Studies, interaction of British politics and fictions about politics - such as the and Dr Kristian Stoddart, Postdoctoral fiction. obscure Old Mother Riley MP (1939) Researcher in Intelligence Studies. Labour politicians Joe Ashton that remain to be properly analysed. The Department is also delighted to (Grass Roots) and Chris Mullin (A Given the increasing stress on how congratulate Toni Erskine who was Very British Coup) explained why they political ideas are constructed the recently awarded a Personal Chair. had felt it worth their while to write possible role played by such fictions Professor Erskine works in the area of novels about politics, both of which in shaping how we see politics is ethics in international relations. coincidentally depicted the defeat of something that clearly requires further their principled socialist protagonists. exploration. If money was a consideration, The conference generated Association’s Nominations for so was the desire to explore political considerable media interest: Academicians Successful: issues through fiction and for new organiser Professor Steven Fielding kinds of audiences. was interviewed on The Week at Professor David Boucher Alistair Beaton (The Trial of Westminster while PM and Politics UK Professor Anoush Ehteshami Tony Blair), Maurice Gran (The New on the World Service talked to some of Professor James Mitchell Statesman), James Graham (Toryboyz) those who spoke on the day. Professor Carole Pateman and Tony Saint (Margaret Thatcher - For those who missed it, the Professor David Sanders The Long Walk to Finchley) discussed conference website contains video Professor John Street their motives for writing about politics, interviews with some of the speakers Professor Mark Wickham-Jones indicating that even those working in to give a flavour of the day, and a Congratulations to all! comedy have their own perspectives special edition of Parliamentary Affairs Full story in next edition. and concerns they want to express. will be published in 2011.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 8 11/03/2010 15:54:22 Department News

‘Public Services in the 2010s: Prosperity, Austerity and Recovery’ Report on the ESRC Public Services Programme Conference on December 11th 2009

Martin Weale, NIESR, and Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of Home Civil Service Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the ESRC

The Public Services Programme (PSP), funded this magnificent programme’ and brought out some positive answers to directed by Professor Christopher Hood, added that the PSP had done everything that question. For example, the PSP’s Oxford, staged a major conference in the ESRC had hoped for, managing research had shown the effectiveness London to present the results of its to combine academic excellence and of some non-financial incentives for research and apply what it has learnt to practical impact. service improvement, the panel session the prospects and options for the 2010s. on devolution and the public services Rubbing shoulders with the Iraq War Full Agenda (which included Professor Iain McLean Inquiry, the conference took up a whole The full conference agenda can be found and Professor Vernon Bogdanor from floor of the QE II Conference Centre at http://www.publicservices.ac.uk/wp- Oxford) pointed to the need for reshaping with a poster display showcasing each of content/uploads/conference-agenda.pdf formula-funding spending systems to the 47 research projects involved in the and the panel sessions focused on the give more incentives to local authorities PSP (you can see the posters by going to question of what could be learnt from the and devolved governments to balance www.publicservices.ac.uk/library). PSP’s research by those aiming to spending against revenue; and a session Also featured was a display of get the best out of public services in on regulation showed some ways in current and forthcoming publications a period of severe fiscal pressure for which simple and low-cost measures can and a DVD interview with Christopher the UK. The scale of that challenge protect quality. Hood and Deputy Director Deborah was emphasized by (among others) Wilson, who talked about what has been Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Permanent More Innovation learnt from the PSP’s research, what the Secretary of the Treasury, Frances In a final speech to the conference, Sir significance and impact of its findings Cairncross (Rector of Exeter College, Gus O’Donnell (Cabinet Secretary and have been, and what the PSP will be University of Oxford) who pointed to Head of the Civil Service) thought the leaving behind it. You can also see the ‘a level of pressure on public services in answer would have to lie in increased DVD by going to www.publicservices. the coming decade that none of us have productivity, improved departmental ac.uk/library. seen in our lifetimes’, and Martin Weale capability, more innovation, better In his opening speech, Ian Diamond of NIESR who produced some sobering leadership and the extension of digital- (Chief Executive of the ESRC) said, ‘It numbers for the fiscal outlook. age government. has been a huge privilege ... to have However, the panel sessions also

‘British foreign policy in the 21st Century’ Working Group report sponsored by the British Academy. alliances, and the values that The BISA British Foreign Policy A range of speakers discussed UK shape decision-making. If anyone Working Group and the FCO’s Research foreign policy, looking at everything would like further information Analysts held a conference in London from devolution and national identities about the Working Group’s activities, in January on ‘British foreign policy to the UK’s aid and trade policies, please email jamie.gaskarth@ in the 21st Century’. The event was its security strategies, patterns of plymouth.ac.uk.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 9 11/03/2010 17:31:55 10 Association News

Governance Review heralds Association’s Heads of Department Conference Constitutional Change for December 2009 Association (continued from cover) its proposals for an amended constitution it might be timely to introduce a number to reflect both the changes necessary of other changes in its Constitution. For to comply with the law as well as those example, these include the size of the discretionary changes the Executive Executive Committee, the balance of recommends. The exercise will be elected and non-elected members and conducted as part of the notification of terms of office. and preparations for the Annual General Dr David Law, Pro-Vice Chancellor for The work of the Working Group Meeting of the Association during the Students and External Relations,Edge Hill has now concluded. Following the Edinburgh Conference. Details of the University, a speaker at the meeting. recommendations of our legal advisers, changes together with an accompanying the Executive will be circulating details of letter will be sent out shortly.

Fit for Purpose (continued from cover) For some time now, the Executive establishment as well as to be near Committee has believed that two the headquarters of the many other additional steps are needed to ensure that organisations with which the Association the Association continues to thrive. First, has come increasingly to work. Kim Hackett (centre), Higher Education Policy Adviser, HEFCE - speaker at the in terms of administrative and strategic In coming to these conclusions, meeting. oversight, the Association requires a the Executive wishes to ensure that the Chief Executive to consolidate its record small team of outstanding dedicated of achievement. A new Chief Executive, staff at the current National Office - working with the Trustees, can work to without which our Association simply develop and implement a new vision for could not function – continue to be the Association. supported. Hence, for the foreseeable future, our base in North East England London Base would remain. Second, the Executive believes that the However, pending the appointment new Chief Executive should be based in of a new Chief Executive over the next Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive, London to facilitate where they can be few weeks, it is our intention to open a ESRC and Association Chair, Vicky Randall. close to the heart of the British political new small office in London.

The Pink Tide: Reconfiguring Politics, Power and Political Economy in the Americas Held at the University of Nottingham, January 2010

This conference brought together including performance art, round tables, Americas and Europe. Therefore fee academics, community scholars, activists workshops and panel discussions and waivers were granted to community and popular educators to create a unique who came from 13 countries. scholars from the Americas as well space of dialogue and discussion about The conference sought to creatively as representatives of community the Pink Tide in the Americas – the shift overcome the geographical, disciplinary organisations from Nottingham. to the left in governments and social and spatial boundaries that often Among the key note speakers were movements across North, Central and separate North from South, university Noam Chomsky (via live Video Link), South America. from community and department from John Holloway and William Robinson. This was a major international event department, as a means of forging The conference was organised by a local with over 60 contributors who presented innovative and strategic theory and team, coordinated by Dr Sara Motta. using a diverse range of formats practice about social justice in the

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 10 11/03/2010 15:54:33 Association News 11 Political Studies Association at the AcSS President’s Lunch

The key speaker at the lunch was David Willetts, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Universities and Skills. His reflections on the outlook for social science research were amusing, informed and generally much appreciated by his audience. Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the ESRC and Vice-Chancellor Elect at Aberdeen University also addressed the gathering.

Fiona Booth, Chief Executive, Hansard Society and James Chiriyankandath, London Met and Vicky New Academicians Vicky Randall Randall The event closed with Howard Newby presenting newly conferred academicians The Academy of Social Sciences’ annual (Chair), Jacqui Briggs, Neil Collins and (including our Association’s Chair) with President’s Lunch was held on 18th James Newell. In addition, Fiona Booth their framed certificates. It was altogether December in the splendid surroundings (Hansard Society), James Chiriyankandath an enjoyable event but also a valuable of the Institute of Directors. It was hosted (Diversity Working Group), Professor Paul opportunity to cultivate contacts with by the AcSS President Professor Sir Kelly (LSE), Melanie Newman (THES) and colleagues and policy-framers hopefully Howard Newby. Representing the Political Neil McNaughton attended as guests of sharing our commitment to the social Studies Association were Vicky Randall the Association. sciences.

Liverpool’s Finest in Print Positive Response understand the nature of political ideas to Youth Citizenship in contemporary British politics and has already received significant press Commission attention. The government has launched a very The University of Liverpool is positive official response, ‘An Agenda well represented in the book with for Youth Engagement’ to the Youth contributions from Professor Jon Tonge, Citizenship Commission, on which Emeritus Professor Dennis Kavanagh three Political Studies Association and former Chancellor Lord Owen, thus members sat. The Commission was showing the strength of the Politics chaired and deputy chaired by Professors Department in the field of British Jon Tonge (Liverpool) and Phil Cowley Simon Griffiths, Lord Plant, David Willetts MP, Kevin Politics. (Nottingham) respectively, whilst Dr Hickson and Robin Jackson The book itself is based on a series Andy Mycock (Huddersfield) provided of three high profile conferences held vital input, particularly in the areas of Dr Kevin Hickson from the Department at the University of Liverpool on British citizenship and civic service. of Politics at the University of Liverpool political ideologies. The overwhelming majority of attended the launch of his important proposals have been endorsed by the new book British Party Politics and Lord Plant government and the Cabinet Office Ideology after New Labour, edited with The launch, held at the British Academy, minister, Dawn Butler, has begun the Simon Griffiths from Goldsmiths and included speeches by Lord Plant and programme of implementation. This published by Palgrave. The book begins the Shadow Universities Minister David will include registration of young voters with an assessment of Blair’s legacy and Willetts MP (who both contributed to via schools, statutory local authority then goes on to discuss the major issues the book) and they are photographed consultations with young people and within the ideologies of the three main with the editors and the Chief Executive Westminster funding for the UK Youth political parties together with a number of the British Academy, Robin Jackson. Parliament. of cross-cutting issues. Further details of the book and The full government response With a General Election now related research projects are available can be found at http://www. only months away, this book will be from Dr Kevin Hickson k.hickson@liv. cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/333826/ essential reading for anyone wishing to ac.uk. youthengagement.pdf.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 11 11/03/2010 15:54:41 12 Association News Jon Tonge Appointed Principal Investigator for Northern Ireland Election Survey Professor Jon Tonge (Liverpool) has the £100,000 project. It will measure amid over 100 bombings and shootings been appointed by the ESRC as Principal whether the electoral chasm on which in the last twelve months, will explore Investigator for the 2010 Northern Northern Ireland’s power sharing the electorate’s perception of any Ireland General Election Survey. executive rests is narrowing or remains threat posed by ‘dissident’ republicans. Professor Tonge will lead a team also static; assess the electoral priorities of Suggestions in respect of the questions to comprising Dr Paul Mitchell (LSE) and the electorate; analyse the perceptions be asked in the survey are very welcome Professor Bernie Hayes (Aberdeen) on of the Executive and Assembly and, and can be emailed to [email protected].

Gordon Smith 1927-2009 usually edited by Martin Kolinsky or very first published article, ‘What Gordon Smith 1927 - 2009 Willie Paterson or Vincent Wright, is a Party System?’, which appeared and usually comprising nine or in Parliamentary Affairs in 1966, 10 country case-studies; almost remains a landmark contribution. always, however, these volumes Gordon was sometimes cantankerous were rounded off with a comparative and querulous, but he was also ‘think-piece’ by Gordon. exceptionally good-natured, and he Peter Mair, This was his great forte: he was a wonderful mentor to young European University dealt extremely well with concepts, students and young colleagues. unpacking them and specifying their I personally learned a great deal from Institute boundaries and parameters; he had him, both from his understanding a very sharp analytic mind, strong of themes in which we shared a Gordon Smith, who died recently on logic and argument rather than common interest, but especially from aged 82, was former Professor of empirical proof; and he knew the his approach and style of political Government at the LSE and was the west European countries remarkably analysis. We once directed an ECPR co-founder and long-term co-editor of well – Germany best of all, of course, workshop together, in Rimini, which West European Politics. He was a great for this was his thesis country and led to special issues of both WEP and comparativist, and was widely liked the theme of his great Democracy in the Journal of Theoretical Politics, and and admired by generations of scholars West Germany (1979), which went which was one of the most valuable working in the fields of European through many editions – but also experiences in my professional politics and German politics. most of the others. career. For me, he was an inspiration. Earlier, in 1972, he had For those special issues, Gordon The first time I saw him in action published the first edition of a wrote two wonderful papers that was during the ECPR Joint Sessions hugely ambitious and eventually can still be counted among the key in Berlin in 1977, where he was highly successful textbook, Politics in pieces in the literature on parties and participating in a workshop on Social Western Europe, which eschewed case- party systems. When, together with and Political Movements in Western by-case analyses and instead took Klaus Goetz, I became a co-editor Europe, directed by Martin Kolinsky. a systematic comparative approach of his journal following the passing While most of the papers dealt with to each of the key themes. This was of Vincent Wright, I was constantly empirical cases and often thick a book far ahead of its time, and it impressed with the way in which, descriptions of social and/or political remained unrivalled in the field for until close to the end, he remained movements in particular countries, close to twenty years. The 5th edition in command of both the field and its Gordon floated on another level with was published in 1989. priorities. At the time of his death, a paper entitled – typically Gordon – Gordon was a late starter in he had just completed finalising ‘Some Problems in the Study of Social academic life, and was first appointed editorial work on the manuscripts for Movements’. to the LSE in 1972, at the age of 45. volume 33, no. 2. Gordon was a great Later, as I got to know more of the There, despite the single-country bias scholar and a wonderful colleague. literature on western European politics, then prevailing in European politics He will be sadly missed. and also got to know Gordon himself, I in general, and in the LSE version Gordon’s first wife, Dorothea, realised that this was one of many such of European politics in particular, died suddenly in 1994, and he papers, almost all hugely insightful. At he established one of the main focal remarried Anna soon after that. the time there seemed to be a standard points for comparative research and He leaves a son, Thomas, from that comparative volume, usually published teaching, particularly in the field marriage, as well as a daughter, by Croom Helm or Macmillan, of parties and party systems. His Charlotte, from his first marriage.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 12 11/03/2010 15:54:42 Association News 13 Workshop on Political Trust

Alix Kelso (C2G2 and Hansard Society Visiting Fellow), Vicki Randall, Chair of the Gerry Stoker, Dr Ruth Fox and Alix Kelso Political Studies Association and Gerry Stoker (C2G2) Alexandra Kelso, of parliament and politicians, and the 2010 general election, when the questioned the extent to which House of Commons will see perhaps University of Southampton parliament really is in ‘decline’ and what the biggest influx of new MPs in living this ‘declinism’ might mean for popular memory. The Political Studies Association co- perceptions about parliament and its organised a workshop in London on 27th role in the political system. Mark D’Arcy, Political Trust January 2010, along with the Hansard BBC Radio 4 journalist, discussed the The Political Studies Association is Society and the Centre for Citizenship, media’s coverage of parliament and proud to be involved in this project with Globalisation and Governance (C2G2) politicians, the fall-out from the expenses the Hansard Society, an established at the University of Southampton, crisis, and how parliament generally and think tank in the area of parliamentary entitled Public Expectations of and Trust MPs specifically approach the media as a democracy, and C2G2, an emerging in Parliament and Politicians. The event tool for political engagement. centre with a particular focus on issues brought together a small working of political trust and engagement. group of key academics, journalists MPs Work Dr Ruth Fox, Director of the Hansard and politicians to discuss how much Finally, Professor Philip Cowley of Society’s Parliament and Government we should be worried about declining Nottingham University, talked about Programme, will shortly produce a levels of political trust and engagement, the role and work of MPs, the notion pamphlet summarising the workshop arguably depressed further following the that MPs now are much better at their discussions and debates, which will MPs expenses scandal of spring 2009. jobs than many previous generations be available from the Society in due Three key papers were presented to of politicians, and that, despite the course. This workshop marks the the workshop, each of which tapped into MPs expenses scandal, MPs are not all Political Studies Association’s continued a different aspect of this complex debate. as ‘bad’ as we might at first assume. engagement with a range of issues of C2G2 member, Dr Alix Kelso, presented Discussion also focused on what crucial significance to contemporary a paper focused on public perceptions parliament might look like following politics.

SPSA Conference 2010 Atlanta Nord in the current ruling coalition led discussant Ora John Reuter (Emory) Duncan McDonnell, University of Turin by Silvio Berlusconi. This was based who were very well informed about and University of on an ongoing project examining populist movements. The discussion Birmingham. populist success in power in Italy and afterwards was extremely useful, ranging Switzerland which I am conducting with from comments about the similarities Daniele Albertazzi at the University of between Berlusconi and Hugo Chavez to Thanks to a Political Studies Association Birmingham. questions about Italy’s rather particular Overseas Conference Grant and media structure. As for the rest of the an Artinian Travel Award from the Featured Papers conference, most of the panels naturally Southern Political Science Association The panel featured papers by Marc concerned US politics, but again I (SPSA), I was able to attend the 81st Pufong (Valdosta State) on the found much food for thought in these, Annual SPSA Conference in Atlanta Portuguese extreme Left and by Joel both in terms of the topics and the from 6th – 9th January 2010 amidst one Campbell (Kansai Gandai) on the Liberal methodologies used. of the worst cold snaps to hit the South Democratic Party in Japan, both of Overall, the SPSA conference was in recent decades. I presented a paper which provided interesting parallels with a very interesting experience and one entitled ‘Populism in Power in Italy’ the Italian case. I was also fortunate in which I highly recommend to all. looking at the governing experiences of having a chair, Fragano Ledgister See next page for further report from the Popolo delle Libertà and the Lega (Clark Atlanta University), and a SPSA.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 13 11/03/2010 15:54:45 14 Association News Political Studies Association Sponsors Political Scientists from Egypt

in Cairo, Egypt, to promote the work of Conference, Rabab will be featured on a political scientists from the region at the panel on ‘Democratisation in Comparative Annual Conference. On 14th January Perspective’, and El Arab and Waked on a 2010, he visited the Department of panel on ‘The Politics of Development in Political Science at AUC’s new campus Africa and the Middle East’. Conference- to meet with professors Rabab Al-Mahdi goers are urged to make these Egyptian Terrell Carver, the Association’s Sub- and Abdelaziz Ezzel Arab, together with colleagues welcome, along with 30 other committee Chair for International Mohammed Waked, who is writing up international participants on sponsorships Relations, has been working with his PhD dissertation. At the Political and exchange programmes organised by colleagues at the American University Studies Association’s 60th Anniversary the Association.

Warm Reception from the Southern Political Science Association

from the Political Studies Association. measures that I had not previously Jonathan Mellon, St. Cross College, As a new graduate student, I wasn’t considered. Most importantly I gained University of sure what to expect from an academic new contacts in the field of judicial Oxford conference, but there were many people politics as well as invaluable advice there who were happy to show me the about publishing work. Besides ropes. The conference was very wide presenting my own research I was able By Jonathan Mellon, ranging and touched on topics from all to listen to fascinating talks by many areas of political science. In addition scholars. I found several papers on Oxford University to the sessions there were a variety of judicial politics and the shifting voting luncheons and receptions where I had patterns in the 2008 US elections to In January I was given the fantastic the chance to meet many interesting be particularly interesting. opportunity to speak at the 2010 people within the discipline. The conference was an Southern Political Science Association outstanding opportunity to meet in Atlanta, Georgia, which is a ‘regional’ Positive Feedback other political scientists and discuss meeting within the American Political I received positive feedback to my paper my research interests. After this Science Association. This was thanks Stare Decisis: Precedent Resurrected? experience I have really been able to a generous conference travel grant as well as comments about different to move forward.

“Temporalities, Public Administration and Public Policy” Toulouse, France, 7th – 10th September 2010

Call for Papers study are the establishment, and international government The EGPA Study Group on change (and dissolution) of these organisations, regulators, other Governance of Public Sector organisations, different characteristics agencies, interest groups, courts and Organisations studies aspects of of different forms of organisations, civil society. The quality, frequency public sector organisations. Our focus their design, governance, and type of interactions can be is on public sector organisations of management and control, and their studied, as well as the consequences different forms, ranging from semi- performance. Furthermore, these for all parties involved. The deadline independent governmental units to organisations interact with a complex for the abstracts is 1st May 2010. different types of ‘agencies’, state- (multi-level) network of actors, For more information on the EGPA owned companies and government including parliament, ministers 2010 conference, please go to: foundations. Central issues under and ministries, sub-national www.egpa2010.com.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 14 11/03/2010 17:36:43 Association News 15 Association Hosts Meeting of European Confederation of Political Sciences Associations 21st January 2010

Carmen Navarro, Spanish Political Studies Association Marjukka Weide, Finnish PSA Oxana Gaman-Golutvina, Russian Political Studies Association and Suzanne Schuttemeyer, ECPSA

The Meeting of European Confederation of Political Science Associations hosted by Richard Topf (second from Simon Hug, Swiss Political Studies Association left) for the Political Studies Association on 21st Jan 2010 at London Met

Contemporary Aristotelian Studies A new Association specialist group Group and Journal numbers) of members who wish to in Contemporary Aristotelian Studies is The aim of both group and journal participate. If you would like to be proposed. will be to explore the relevance of involved in this initiative, please e-mail The proposers intend to establish a Aristotelianism for our understanding of any or all of the following: new academic journal, also to be called the problems of contemporary politics. Contemporary Aristotelian Studies, Questions of politics will be related to ❖ Tony Burns, University of Nottingham which will be edited from the Centre those of philosophy, and questions of ([email protected]) for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies theory to those of practice. ❖ Kelvin Knight, London Metropolitan in Ethics and Politics (CASEP), based University in the Department of Law, Governance As a part of the application process, the ([email protected])Keith and International Relations at London Political Studies Association requires ❖ Breen, Queens University, Belfast Metropolitan University (see www. the convenors of proposed groups to ([email protected]). londonmet.ac.uk/casep). provide a list of names (and membership

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 15 11/03/2010 15:55:03 16 Specialist Group News Anarchist Studies in 2009 The Anarchist Studies Network has had and through contemporary resistance Joint Anarchist and Marxist another busy year. In the aftermath of movements. A less traditional type Conference attracts 42 Papers our first major conference in 2008, a of event was held in October 2009. In September 2009 the ASN and great deal of effort went into publishing “Imperceptible Strategies, Unidentified Marxism specialist group convened a the proceedings. Autonomous Organizations”, joint conference entitled Is Black and These include Alex supported by the ASN, attracted over Red Dead? Christoyannopoulos’ edited volume twenty participants who gathered The event was generously Religious Anarchism: New Perspectives to explore already-existing forms of supported by a PSA specialist (Cambridge Scholars Publishing in autonomous organisation and politics, activities award and was held at 2009) and Anarchism, Syndicalism and as well as the potential for radically the Centre for the Study of Social Labour, (Berry and Bantman eds.) also different forms. and Global Justice at the University drawn from papers given at the 2008 By way of realising horizontal of Nottingham. Perhaps the first conference. and polycentric organisation this event conference on the intersections Another selection of conference drifted between a number of different between Marxism and Anarchism in papers will be published by Palgrave as locations across east London during living memory, its primary aim was Anarchism and Moral Philosophy later the course of the day. to reach out to Marxist scholars and in the year (Franks and Wilson eds.). begin a new dialogue between the two Other forthcoming publications include Projects for 2010 traditions of thought. The secondary the proceedings of the September 2009 Planning for a number of projects aim was to provide a space for people conference entitled ‘Is Black and Red for 2010 are under way, including who felt they crossed the boundaries Dead?’ held at Nottingham University a conference on Postanarchism between Marxism and anarchism to (more below). A further indication of the (Goldsmith, June), and two ASN present their work and discuss their success of the group is a 30% increase panels to be held at the annual PSA ideas in a supportive and convivial in our membership in the past year conference in Edinburgh in at the end environment. It drew 42 papers – now up to 201 members! of March. and a further 20 attendees, with ASN initiatives continue to merge An ESRC-sponsored conference participants from the US, Canada, academic and more experimental on Anarchism and International Australia, France, Italy, Greece, ventures. An example of the former was Relations will be hosted by the Ireland, Finland, and the UK. Some the two-day interdisciplinary workshop Department of Politics at the of the papers presented are available at the University of Bristol in September University of Bristol in June 2010, and on the ASN’s website (http://www. 2009 entitled ‘Disciplining Dissent’. a workshop on anarchism will also be anarchist-studies-network.org.uk/ This conference explored the organised for the 2010 Manchester IsBlackAndRedDead), and an edited different forms of discipline and Workshops in Political Theory. volume drawn from the proceedings power that operate towards, within Another full year for anarchist studies! is in preparation.

British Idealism Specialist Group The Political Studies Association British Jules Townshend and Joe Femia, has Isaiah Berlin’; and Rex Martin (Kansas Idealism Specialist Group was formally established itself as one of the highlights University) ‘Re-enactment and the Essay established on 2nd October 1999. of the political theory calendar. The on Metaphysics.’ The group is one of the most active British Idealism Specialist Group has Collingwood confirmed his place of the specialist groups organising at now become a fixture at this event and among the most popular of British least three meetings a year, involving is able to stage 4 panels annually with Idealists with six papers devoted to his extensive collaboration with international speakers coming from all over the world thought (Martin, Kasuga, Boucher, Leach, specialists from American, Canada, to talk about Idealist problems and Murphy and D’Oro). Colin Tyler rounded Italy and Australia to mention only a issues. off our proceedings with a broad ranging few. The group has been very successful This year was no exception with paper on ‘Cherry-Picking? Eclecticism in in its applications for funds to bring the United States very well represented British Idealist Thought’. speakers to the annual conference, and in by Susan Daniel (Western Oregon staging specialist conferences under the University) speaking on ‘Collingwood’s The Recognition Theory of Rights: Report Specialist Activities Funding Competition Conception of Duty’; Jim Allard (State on Conference for Specialist Groups 2010. University of Montana) on ‘Concrete The conference attracted a wide variety of Universals’; Robert A. Kocis (The participants ranging from distinguished Manchester Workshop University of Scranton, Pennsylvania) visiting professors to postgraduate The annual Manchester Workshops ‘British Idealism and British Empiricism: students and provided both a valuable in Political Theory, organised by The Cases of F. H. Bradley and Sir opportunity to meet and develop

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 16 11/03/2010 15:55:04 Specialist Group News 17

contacts, and to become intellectually Annual Conference 2009 and Tyler, Hull); the insights engaged with a particular theory of The 2009 annual conference of the into the movement for female rights which arises out of the British Group took place in December 2009. emancipation in Turkey provided Idealist tradition. Attendees came The Political Studies Association by Colllingwood’s ‘question and from as far afield as America, Taiwan, contributed £750 to the costs of the answer’ method (Dr Eylem Atakav, Japan, Bulgaria and all over Britain, conference. UEA); the relationship between the including the universities of Hull, The conference was also the Italian liberal Croce and the fascist Nottingham, Durham, Newcastle and launch event for the Centre for the Gentile, focusing particularly on Swansea. The Temple of Peace, Cardiff Study of British Idealism at the censorship of Croce’s correspondence was represented by Dr. Peter Sutch. University of Hull. Both Centre in the 1920s and 1930s (Prof. George Professors Rex Martin and Directors are Political Studies Talbot, Hull); Pringle-Pattison’s Derrick Derby, two of the most Association members (Professor reading of Nietszche’s aesthetics distinguished exponents of the Rights James Connelly and Dr Colin Tyler). of power (Roden Bow, Hull); Recognition Theory, flew in from the The event was entitled ‘Rediscovering Green’s intellectual debts to Hegel’s University of Kansas. The programme Collingwood and the British Idealists’. philosophy; and the insights into was balanced by the inclusion of 12 papers were given in 7 panels, Collingwood’s politics that can be speakers who are doubtful as to the with a further closing roundtable offered by his unpublished archive efficacy of the theory. The focused discussing the biography and materials (Prof. David Boucher, nature of the conference lent itself to Autobiography of R.G. Collingwood. Cardiff). tightly prescribed parameters which One afternoon was given over to Other papers were presented by provided the opportunity to discuss a symposium on David Weinstein’s Junichi Kasuga (Cardiff), Dr William the issues in depth and with rigour. new book, Utilitarianism and the New J. Mander (Oxford), and Prof Michael The exchange of ideas gave Liberalism. Professor Weinstein (Wake Beaney (York). all the participants new ideas to Forest, USA) responded personally to The conference organisers engage with and to develop. Derrick his critics as part of this symposium. were very pleased with the event, as Darby is editing a special issue of a A number of political topics were it seems were the delegates. We are philosophical journal which will bring covered in the conference, including grateful for the continuing support together a number of papers on the the symposium on Weinstein’s book provided by the Association. recognition theory of rights. (Weinstein, Wake Forest; Connelly

Summer School on Cultural Dimensions of Politics in Europe 2010 Prague, Czech Republic, 3rd – 10th July 2010

The Prague’s Centre for Public sociology, media studies, Policy (Centrum pro verejnou anthropology and cultural studies, politiku - CPVP), has teamed up behavioural sciences, gender with professors from Poland and studies) from all parts of the world UK to launch a Summer School on to enjoy their summer holidays in the Cultural Dimensions of Politics a unique academic and cultural in Europe 2010. environment. The Summer School “Cultural The Final Deadline is 15th Dimensions of Politics in Europe” May 2010. Should you have any is a week - long academic program questions regarding the Summer bringing together 30 undergraduate School or application process, and graduate students of various please do not hesitate to contact us: nationalities and academic www: http://www.cdpe.cpvp.cz E- backgrounds (political science, mail: [email protected] Nina Fuentes, Chair of the Post- graduate Network of the Association - a speaker at the Heads of Department Conference in December 2009

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 17 11/03/2010 15:55:06 18 Specialist Group News The Caribbean – EU EPA: A Model Agreement? free trade agreement plus and the plus focused on the implications of the was development related. A number EPA for other regions in the ACP. of positive aspects of the agreement Dr Chris Stevens, of the Overseas were highlighted: it would give a boost Development Institute, argued: the to regional integration, it includes an interim agreements are mixed with extensive list of ‘excluded’ products, only some countries likely to benefit, the period allowed for liberalisation is it is the implementation of trade rules extensive and the Caribbean will be able rather than tariffs which are likely to to tap into EU innovation assistance be challenging, inter-regional trade and funding. The second presenter is likely to be more problematic than was Jamaican High Commissioner trade with the EU and mechanisms John Rapley, Ambassador Richard Bernal, Peter to Britain, the Honourable Burchell for implementation continue to Clegg, David Jessop, Milton Lawrence Whiteman, who spoke about the need be a problem. Dr Paul Goodison, to educate people in the region about former Director of the European the wider benefits of the EPA. Research Office in Brussels, cautioned Dr Amanda Sives, against the wholesale transfer of the Group Convenor Institutional Frameworks Caribbean EPA to Africa due to the Panel two, chaired by Dr Peter Clegg differences in levels of development, In 2009 the Caribbean Politics Group, of the University of the West of the nature of trade relations with the Royal Commonwealth Society and England, focused on implementation. the EU and market size. His main the Caribbean Council organised a half- Ambassador Richard Bernal, former area of concern was the lack of day workshop at the Commonwealth Director General of the CRNM, spoke institutional support for the process. Club in London. The event focused on about the fundamental need to organise Roy Rodriguez and Elroy Turner, from the Economic Partnership Agreement institutional frameworks both at the Commonwealth Secretariat, spoke (EPA) which was recently signed by regional and national level to ensure about the work being undertaken the EU and the Cariforum (CARICOM the advantage gained by being the first by the Secretariat to train and assist countries and the Dominican Republic). region to sign an EPA was not lost. ACP country negotiators. Rodriguez Funding was provided by: the Political The second speaker, David explained whilst the Secretariat Studies Association, the University of Jessop of the Caribbean Council, does not have extensive financial the West of England, Jamaica National began by discussing the difficulties of resources, it is seen as a trusted Bank and the venue was provided free implementing the EPA in the current partner by developing countries. of charge by the Royal Commonwealth financial crisis. He expressed concern Mr Turner spoke about the Hubs and Society. that national governments might Spokes project which has provided The afternoon began with a become more protectionist and the £20m to assist trade negotiators keynote address from David O’Sullivan, private sector is not sufficiently aware in ACP countries. Currently, over the Director General for Trade at the of how to engage with the EPA. Dr John 4,000 people have been trained and European Commission. He began by Rapley, of the Caribbean Policy and the project has provided briefings stating the EPA had been designed Research Institute (CaPRI) reported on for Ministers and developed strong around three major principles: modelling he had undertaken regarding networks between negotiators. reciprocity, a regional approach the possible impact of the EPA. Using The workshop attracted over to trade, and the development of the Jamaican case, he noted areas one hundred people and provided an regional integration. Criticisms of the likely to be negatively affected were invaluable forum for discussing both Commission which had been made prepared food and garments and there trade negotiation processes as well as by NGOs were unfounded as the EU would be a reduction of 0.4% in fiscal the challenges facing the Caribbean sought to work with the Caribbean revenue. On the positive side, there in terms of implementation of the to ensure the protection of ‘sensitive would be a small increase in trade, an EPA and those confronting African products’. In that regard, only 80% estimated 2.7% increase in GDP and and Pacific regions which have yet to of the Caribbean market had been tourism, financial, business services conclude the final agreements. liberalised, ensuring Caribbean and communications were likely to The EPA process is a unique one economies could protect their most improve. The final speaker on the in which reciprocal, regional trade vulnerable products. panel was Milton Lawrence, of ECIC agreements between a developed Holdings Limited. He called for greater region and developing ones seeks Wide Benefits communication between the private to deepen trade in order to promote Panel one, chaired by Patsy Robertson sector and the institutions within the development. What was clear from of the Commonwealth Secretariat, region to ensure the success of the the discussions at the workshop was presented an overview of the EPA. The agreement. that the conclusion of negotiations first speaker, Ambassador Henry Gill, was only the very first step in the Director General of the Caribbean Wider Implications process and the success or Regional Negotiating Mechanism Panel three, chaired by Dr Amanda otherwise of the EPA would be (CRNM), pointed out the EPA was a Sives of the University of Liverpool, in the implementation.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 18 11/03/2010 17:31:05 A Time to Confer 19

Association’s Heads of Workshops in Political Theory, Department Conference December 2009 Seventh Annual Conference Manchester Metropolitan University, 1st-3rd September 2010

Call for Papers Joe Femia (School of Politics and Following another successful sixth Communication Studies, University Peter Knowles, Controller BBC annual Workshops held in Manchester, of Liverpool, [email protected]) and Parliamentary Channel, who spoke at September 2009, at which a hundred Professor Jules Townshend (Department the meeting. and fifty papers were given by of Politics and Philosophy, Manchester participants from over twenty countries, Metropolitan University, j.townshend@ we are pleased to announce the details mmu.ac.uk). of this year’s conference. The deadline for registration is These workshops reflect the wide 30th July 2010. Delegates registering diversity of interests and idioms within after this date will be subject to a £10 the discipline and give delegates plenty late registration fee. Registration will Davina Miller, Bradford. of time to discuss their papers in a not take place after 13th August 2010. relaxed setting as well as to attend other For more information go to: panels. The organisers are: Professor www.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/politicaltheory. Risk, Perceptions of Risk and Transborder Infectious Diseases: Challenges for Global Health Governance PSA 60th Anniversary / Political Studies Workshop, University of Sheffield, 24th September 2010

According to the World Health within the current structure of global Topics for discussion will include: Organization (WHO), as of 29th January health governance. Furthermore, as other ❖ What normative approaches must drive 2010 there had been 14,711 confirmed historical and ongoing cases highlight, GHG: What should we do, for whom deaths from pandemic influenza H1N1 current systems of global health and why? ‘swine flu’ worldwide. Although the governance have had a rather poor track ❖ Human security and pandemic death rates associated with H1N1 are record when responding to often more preparedness. relatively low in comparison to more deadly, or potentially deadly, transborder ❖ Outbreak communication and political destructive transborder infectious infectious diseases, such as cholera, decisiveness in GHG. diseases, the concern for health officials, SARS, avian influenza, tuberculosis and ❖ Wealth and power: issues concerning politicians and ordinary citizens is HIV/AIDS. Although innovations have access to pandemic vaccines and the speed with which the virus spread been made, renewed co-ordination and treatment. around the globe, as well as the number political commitments at the global level ❖ The relationship between new and of countries on which it impacts. Due to are necessary if we are to respond more old processes and structures of global the potential threat posed by new strains effectively to these transborder diseases. health governance. of H1N1, many state governments and ❖ The relationship between increased regional and global organisations have Workshop globalisation and pandemic threats. initiated pandemic alert and monitoring This workshop on Global Health ❖ The relationship between medical programms, as well as increasing their Governance (GHG) in Sheffield will practitioners, regional health co-ordination with other public health examine the current state of global organisations, national health bodies. We can see that in the case of health governance in relation to disease organisations and global health H1N1, an emphasis on collective action monitoring and control, and propose initiatives. has emerged between many affected, policy-relevant analysis of how we might Space at the workshop is limited, so if predominantly western, states. better govern these health priorities at the you are interested in participating, please global level. The workshop will involve contact Rene Bailey (r.bailey@sheffield. Trans-border Disease leading academics and policy makers ac.uk) at the Political Studies office as However, the recent outbreak of H1N1 from diverse disciplines such as politics, soon as possible to reserve a place. is only one highly publicised incident medicine, political economy, political Further information is also available from of transborder disease. The H1N1 virus philosophy, sociology, international the workshop convenors, Garrett Wallace demonstrates two things. First, that relations and development, including Brown ([email protected]) and these types of diseases create unique input from health practitioners as much Sophie Harman (sophie.harman.1@city. and difficult co-ordination problems as from specialists in the social sciences. ac.uk).

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 19 11/03/2010 15:55:12 20 In Full View New OU Course: ‘Living Political Ideas’ second Room of the course, ‘Political The ‘Representing the people’ Room animals’, students engage with a contains readings from Artistotle, long text by Bruno Latour, a French Machiavelli, Gramsci and others. In political philosopher at the cutting the second week of study in this Room, edge of thinking about politics and the students examine questions about the environment. Students are required to idea of representation, for instance with read extracts from Latour’s recent book. reference to ‘Aid to Africa’. Students This isn’t an easy task and we wanted are shown a set of video clips from to provide various levels of help. Luckily different interested parties. There isn’t for us Latour agreed to be interviewed any connecting narrative or commentary. so we could ask him directly about some The students are required to do the work of the issues and ideas the students that a narrative commentary might do as had been studying in the Room so far to what competing claims to represent and how they relate to his ideas. Before the people might mean, and they are reading the extracts, the students watch guided in this by the use of questions Raia Prokhovnik, Open University the first interview that one of the course to answer. What we are developing here academics made with Latour. Then is the use of video in a pro-active as Raia Prokhovnik, students go on to read the text. opposed to simply didactic format. We do not summarise the text for The ‘Political animals’ Room Open University them but rather break the reading down explores the human/animal boundary into three steps with various activities with respect to politics. In this Room My colleague, Jef Huysmans, and I very and audio inserts to help them grasp the we use Aristotle’s theory to make the much enjoyed having the opportunity to meaning. In that way students build up point that the boundary between who is give a presentation at the recent Political an understanding of the main ideas of a political being and what/who is not, is Studies Association Heads of Department the text but are also, almost implicitly, a central political question. This issue is conference in London on 11th December, taught a method of reading difficult very much alive in debates about animal on our new 60 point course, ‘Living political theory texts. Once they have rights but also about rights for nature Political Ideas’. The presentation read the full extracts and done the more generally. This also means that we demonstrated some of the innovative activities there is a further interview are keen to stimulate students to be open features of the course, both in terms of with Latour. In this way primary texts to competing ideas and interpretations, to teaching materials and delivery. This is are accompanied by video and audio see ideas as alive in debates, and to learn the first course to be presented entirely discussions to also encourage students to how to formulate a strong argument by on a set of DVD-ROMS, one DVD-ROM reflect on the richness of the texts. drawing on classic and contemporary for each of the five parts or ‘Rooms’ of We had two reasons for wanting texts. the course. The DVD-ROMS are easy to make a presentation of the course at and intuitive to navigate, and in each the Heads of Department conference. Religion in Politics Room the learning progresses easily from The first reason was that we thought The ‘Religion in politics’ Room has key topic to topic. For each Room, as well as colleagues might be interested in getting readings from Rawls, Taylor and Fraser the DVD for that Room, there are extra a taste of this innovative course. We and three terrific case studies, on the DVDs of the video elements, to watch think that delivering political theory French Riots, the US abortion debate, and alternatively on the TV if students wish, and political ideas in this way really politics in Iran. Besides developing active and extra CDs of the audio elements, to makes them come alive for students. learning and teaching through primary listen to in the car, as an alternative. The second reason was that we wanted texts, we wanted to look at how ideas to let colleagues know about partnership play out in practice in the social and Direct Engagement opportunities, for a wider use by you political world about us, both now and One of the main aims of using DVD- of these materials - either of the whole in the past. Video is a very good medium ROM is that it helps us encourage course or possibly the individual Rooms for exploring political practice, the way students to engage directly with the separately. people’s lives are lived, and using video primary texts. Using the interactive allows us to integrate the strengths of potential of the delivery medium, Five Topics visual learning into the course. we’ve inserted a range of ways to The students study five topics or Rooms The three weeks of ‘The body in help students in their reading, such - on ‘Representing the people’, ‘Political politics’ Room deal with eugenics and the as pop-ups, definitions of words and animals’, ‘Religion in politics’, ‘The body nineteenth century Contagious Diseases phrases, questions to focus on the in politics’, and ‘Politics and violence’. Act, with readings from Darwin, J S Mill key arguments, prompts about crucial These are separate and discrete topics, and Foucault; the ethics of care; and the concepts, interjections to set the author’s and we think they will have a wide politics of sexuality. Week 3 contains thinking in context, and audio inserts appeal among Politics and International readings from Luce Irigaray and Judith to guide students. For instance, in the Studies colleagues across the country. Butler among others. In the second week

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 20 11/03/2010 15:55:14 In Full View 21

students undertake an activity in which Forefront of OU thinking feedback from students, but has also they identify their own position with All the teaching on the course - whether won a prestigious award. The British respect to a set of dilemmas invoking the in text, video, audio or activities - is Universities Film and Video Council gave justice/care problematic. integrated into this one delivery medium. first prize to ‘Living Political Ideas’ in its The ‘Politics and violence’ Room On the DVD-ROM primary texts for ‘Courseware and Curriculum’ category asks whether violence is a central aspect students to study are integrated with at its recent ‘Learning on Screen’ awards of modern ideas about the nature of video and audio materials, interspersed ceremony. We were delighted that the politics or marks the limits of politics. with questions prompting students judges recognised the course as an Students work with case studies to undertake activities with electronic innovative way of delivering ideas in real and theory texts to develop a critical notepads, and study guidance, into depth. understanding of how modern political a seamless learning journey. The ideas are entangled with understandings production of the course is at the Partnerships of violence. This is an example of forefront of OU thinking in terms of We are interested in exploring models how the courses works out ideas by delivery and student integrated learning. of partnerships with other universities means of integrating theory and very For instance the account of the Iran in the UK, so that other Politics and concrete, everyday political situations case study in Room 3 moves seamlessly International Studies departments can and narratives. The Room uses texts between the written text and the video use the resources we’ve developed in from theorists such as Franz Fanon and elements. the course. We were very pleased to Hannah Arendt, as well as case studies Neither makes sense without receive some very positive feedback on the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, the other. The course also promotes after the presentation to the Political and Algeria, to generate a debate. independent learning through its Studies Association Head of Department interactive and integrated learning conference in December, confirming Three Teaching weeks journey for students. The aim that it is possible to produce a course on Each Room contains three teaching throughout is to stimulate students to DVD-ROM which is excellent in quality weeks. As well as the five Rooms there have the arguments at their disposal to and very appealing to students across the is a two-week ‘Entry’ Room in which be able to debate in an informed way Politics discipline. students learn how to navigate, make the political issues, dilemmas, and ideas The feedback after the presentation the most of all the features of the DVD- underlying contemporary politics. The showed that there is indeed a market ROMS, and get explicit guidance on delivery methods used in the course, for the course in the wider university study skills - all through an engagement utilising the advantages and richness sector. I’ve recently written to Heads with the politics of the Cold War. They of new technology, are applicable to of Department and had some good also learn how we designed the course mainstream as well as distance-learning responses back. If you would also like not to teach political theory in the students. to follow up this idea, find out more, abstract, but to teach how ideas exist, are or make an expression of interest in alive, and inform and circulate in politics Prestigious Award partnerships, please do get in touch with as well as in theory. So the emphasis is We are also excited that the course me at [email protected]. We on ideas. has not only gained very positive would very much like to hear from you.

Rhetoric and Politics Society of the UK to galvanise interest in the politics of its spoken, textual and visual forms, speech and persuasion across a variety as well as the discussion of its place in of academic disciplines. ‘The beauty of contemporary democratic life. rhetoric’, says James Martin, ‘is the way ‘In the UK’, continues Dr Martin, it brings together a range of disciplinary ‘rhetoric is typically studied in fields, from linguistics and media studies departments of literature or history. to philosophy and political science. But its ancient origins remind us that it was among earliest forms of political Persuasion knowledge. For that reason, it is an With its focus on persuasion, rhetoric eminent contender for the attentions US President Barack Obama concerns not only speech writing and of current students of politics. We hope oratory but, moreover, contests for power to fill a gap in contemporary political A new association to promote the and authority. Theoretical and empirical studies’. study of rhetoric and politics has been dimensions of politics are uniquely Further details can be found at formed by James Martin of Goldsmiths, combined’. the RPS web site at: rhetoricsocietyuk. University of London and Alan Finlayson The RPS intends to provide a wordpress.com. If you are interested in of Swansea University. The Rhetoric and platform for the scholarly analysis of any aspect of rhetoric you are invited to Politics Society of the UK (RPS) seeks contemporary political rhetoric, in both join via this site.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 21 11/03/2010 15:55:15 22 In Full View Observing Mozambique 2009: The Experience

Andrew Russell and Ahmed Kabbah at the Commonwealth Observer Group Press Tete, Mozambique Conference

By Andrew Russell, civil society leaders from Bangladesh, and cell-phones. To replicate the group’s Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, work earlier in Maputo, we spent 3-4 days Manchester Malaysia, Swaziland, Tanzania and collecting evidence from parties and civil Zambia. Our first week in Maputo was society about local issues in the province The invitation to join the Commonwealth dominated by collecting evidence from and introducing ourselves to the relevant Observer Group to Mozambique political parties, NGOs, the media, authorities. came because I run the Politics MA in election officials and the international Despite Tete’s tradition of being the Democracy and Elections at Manchester community on the background to hub of some pockets of opposition since and some of my research concerning the elections. This was an incredibly the civil war, it was apparent that the youth engagement had apparently effective method of briefing the team Frelimo was in the ascendant here. The caught the attention of someone at the on the issues likely to be germane for difference between party headquarters Commonwealth Secretariat. A focus on the election itself. The media team was instructive, the Frelimo building youth might be helpful, I was told, since provided us with invaluable background always seemed among the most-plush Mozambique –like much of Africa - has to the election stories that might have building in any settlement, Renamo a young population and if Mozambican seemed merely prosaic to the un-trained headquarters were sometimes close by youth were to vote in large numbers they eye. For example the team became but always more run-down; we found could significantly affect the outcome of aware of why the use of helicopters for only one single MDM office in the Tete the forthcoming elections. the Presidential campaign tour was so and its setting was far from glamorous. The call from the Commonwealth controversial and why the fact that the On election-day my team (2 observers, came two weeks before the travel date. electoral commission had set the same myself and a colleague from Malawi, a This was my first involvement in an deadline day for submission of candidate local driver and our interpreter) sped election observation team and my names by the parties and allocation of between 16 polling stations taking immediate desire to accept the invitation parliamentary seats in each province had in voting in urban and rural settings was offset only by an anxiety about been so problematic. throughout the province. getting the necessary inoculations at such short notice. Nevertheless once cover Hot Election No Access was secured for some of my duties at the The second week saw the team deployed At a polling station in the district of University of Manchester I was all set to to various regions of the country. I was Changara we were initially refused entry go. sent to Tete, the north-eastern province by an over-zealous team of officials. Our of Mozambique that borders Zimbabwe accreditation signed by the National Presidential Partner and Malawi, and is dominated by the Election Commission Chairman was On arrival in Mozambique I discovered Zambeze river and the Cahora-Bassa apparently insufficient for the Polling I was in esteemed company. I was the dam. It’s also the hottest part of the Station President who wanted to see only academic and was the only Brit country (39°c on electionday). Life here clearance from an election official on the COG which was led by Ahmad was often harsh although economic in Changara. We were eventually Kabba, the former President of Sierra and political development had ensured granted access but the atmosphere was Leone, and included politicians and a proliferation of bicycles, motorbikes uncomfortable. Despite this, what we

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 22 11/03/2010 15:55:23 In Full View 23

witnessed in the Polling Station seemed report what was observed – even when Journal of Political to be good practice although we later there are suspicions that difficulties learned however that opposition parties had occurred long before the COG’s Marketing had failed to gain access to the stations in arrival in the country. In this regard the Changara. Queues outside stations were election rules become very important and “Political Marketing and often hectic, but crowds were mostly recommendations about the separation Propaganda: Uses, well-natured despite the blistering sun. of party and state are probably more Some aspects of the process were clearly important than the length of queues at Abuses and Misuses” held in high regard – I lost count of the each polling station. number of voters who were sent back to Overall this was a fascinating Call for Submissions the booths in order to correctly fold their experience; a chance to see how the We invite you to submit a manuscript papers before being allowed to post them academic issues that are a part of my of approximately 4,000 – 6,000 words in the correct ballot box. There was plenty professional life impact in reality and to to our Special Issue of the Journal of evidence that infirm and disabled apply accepted standards of democratic of Political Marketing on the above voters as well as nursing mothers were development to a very different part of theme. The idea is to explore and given preferential access to the polling the world. Mozambique 2009 was my nuance a hybridized concept, Political stations (often to the chagrin of those in first experience as an election observer; Marketing/Propaganda, on the grounds the much-longer queues). Occasionally I hope it’s not my last. that these are not mutually exhaustive the nature of holding three ballots on one independent categories- i.e. that each day caused some confusion – at the City has features of the other (contributors Hall in Tete the very first vote – cast by are at liberty however to challenge this the City Mayor – and the very last vote claim). of the day – cast by the polling station The belief is that our civic, President – managed to be put into the political, military and corporate domains incorrect ballot boxes accidentally. have matured/mutated into a new culture of public manipulation; and that Counting Fatigue success to-day is enjoyed less by the Others aspects of the voting procedure best than by the best persuaders. Our were incredibly tedious and the count revival of an ostensibly archaic concept, itself will live with me forever as the Propaganda, is however deliberate longest night (and most of the next as we suggest that this concept best day) of my life. The tabulation process evokes the polemical/insidious nature was almost as hectic as the voting President and Chair of the Association of the contemporary communications queues and almost as laborious as the at the Heads of Department meeting in environment; again, contributors are counting process. It was had to avoid the December 2009. welcome to challenge this contention. conclusion that one of the key problems Manuscripts should be submitted by 1st was fatigue with the process being October 2010. heavily dependent on the very people who had been up all night conducting the vote Specific Focus of the Special Issue the night before. Submissions are welcomed from Finally the group returned to political science communications and Maputo (which seemed much more marketing/business academics as cosmopolitan on our second visit than well as from practitioners. The focus it had on our first) to draft the report. of the special issue is propaganda The teams deployed to the provinces and its use in political campaigns for came back with different details but the war, diplomacy, or as an alternative to overall picture of a keenly contested (but coercion in public policy. nevertheless very one-sided) election seemed familiar to all parts of the Further Information country. All teams had heard reports For more information please contact the of sharp practice verging on electoral co-editors of the special issue: abuse but what each team had actually Dr. Paul Baines, observed was a hectic but peaceful Justin Morris, Hull at the Heads of Email: [email protected] election experience. This seems crucial Department meeting. and to the work of an election observer Professor Nicholas O’Shaughnessy since the most important role is to Email: [email protected].

Professor Neil Collins Holly Hardwicke Political Studies Association, Acting Company Secretary: Registered Company with Editor Assistant Editor Department of Politics, Sandra McDonagh. limited liability in England University of Newcastle, Membership Secretary: and Wales, No 3628986. email: [email protected] email: hhardwicke@ Newcastle upon Tyne Sandra McDonagh. gmail.com NE1 7RU. Conference Officer: To advertise in this Tel: 0191 222 8021 Sue Forster. Newsletter, please contact Fax: 0191 222 3499 Sandra McDonagh at psa@ Email [email protected] Registered Charity ncl.ac.uk Web: www.psa.ac.uk. No. 1071825. Editorial Team

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 23 11/03/2010 15:55:29 Conference 2010 - Celebrating Association’s 60th Anniversary

(continued from front cover) (NYU) on ‘In Case of Emergency: The Role of Formal Protocols and Team Cognition in Crisis Government’. Stephen Holmes’ lecture will be followed by a reception to mark the foundation of the Association for Political Thought. This will be one of several receptions at the conference, with others supported by Government and Opposition, the British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Wiley Blackwell and the Scottish Government. The Annual Dinner will be in the Balmoral Hotel in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.

Journals There are a number of special sessions sponsored by journals: the BJPIR on Celebrity + Politics and the 2010 UK Election; the British Journal of Political Science on Political Science and Political Scott Monument Edinburgh Castle

starts at 11am on 30th March and closes at 3.30pm on 1st April. But we are also organising a number of one-day events on Monday 29th March: one of the biggest Graduate Network Conferences on record; the inaugural Political Studies Association Teachers’ Conference, marking the further development of the Association’s Teachers’ section; and a number of one- day workshops enabling networks to meet intensively before joining the main conference on Tuesday 30th March. Princes Street George Hotel New Publications The Political Studies Association is Science Journals and Parliamentary Affairs will be a number of ECPR-style workshops on launching two publications at the on Britishness. The ECPR is sponsoring Political Marketing, the Politics of Property, conference: a special collection edited by a session on ‘European Political Science: Party Leadership in Western Europe, Critical Colin Hay (Sheffield) on New Directions in Past, Present and Future’ and the University Local Governance, Religion and Politics in Political Science, put together to mark the Association for Contemporary European the Public Realm, Environmental Politics, Association’s 60th Anniversary; and the Studies is having round tables on ‘What State-Building, Security and Development, new journal Political Insight, edited by Peter has Political Science Done for the Study and Development Politics. Geoghegan, and marking the Association’s of Europe?’ and on ‘David Cameron’s move into the general readership market. Conservatives and Europe’. The BISA is Venues This year’s Shapiro Lecture, sponsored holding a mammoth 12 panels, including The conference takes place in a series of by Government and Opposition, will be work on terrorism, nuclear weapons and venues in and around the George Hotel in given on the evening of 30th March by US foreign policy. There are of course a Edinburgh City Centre. There is a vast range Colin Hay on the theme of ‘Pathology number of sessions on the UK election, on of coffee bars, pubs and restaurants nearby, without Crisis? The Strange Demise of the prospect of a Conservative Government, and all the conference hotels are within easy the Anglo-Liberal Growth Model’. The and on Scottish politics and devolution, walking distance. Information on all this and Association for Political Thought in Britain alongside the usual diverse range of work more can be found at the Political Studies and Ireland is hosting a lecture in the presented through the Association’s Association conference website at www.psa. evening of 31st March by Stephen Holmes Specialist Groups. In a new departure there ac.uk/2010/.

PSA_March_2010_aw.indd 24 11/03/2010 15:55:39