25th Central European Political Science Association Annual Conference

25th Central European Political Science Association Annual Conference

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 - Fri, 19 Nov 2021

Olsztyn, Poland

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View Call for Proposals for this Event


Organized by: Polish Political Science Association


Contact: cepsa2021@uwm.edu.pl

Central and Eastern Europe was marked in a rather specific way by historical processes observed in the 19th and 20th centuries. The experience of a long period without independence and being portioned among great empires, the development of nationalism, independence after the end of World War I, inclusion in the Soviet sphere of influence after World War II, the experience with “democracy with adjectives” (in this case: people’s democracy) and the processes of political and economic transformation in the 1980s and 90s – all of these factors created the specific conditions for the development of democratic processes in the region.

The aim of the conference is therefore a scientific reflection on the challenges facing contemporary democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and an analysis of factors affecting the quality of democracy in the region. A significant research challenge will also be an analysis of factors affecting the relatively low political participation of societies in Central and Eastern European countries. A characteristic element for the region – which will also be a subject of discussion – is the growing role of populism and proposals for implementation of new types of “democracy with adjectives” (e.g. illiberal democracy, sovereign democracy). The above-mentioned challenges will constitute the main axis of discussions undertaken during the conference. Factors determining the answer for the following dilemma will be presented: to what extent is modern democracy coexistence or a peaceful war of all against all. The conclusions reached as a result of the conference will be the basis for the implementation of comparative research with regard to the challenges and threats to democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and in a supra-regional approach.

Within the conference panels, both the theoretical and analytical contributions may be presented with the general theme. Below we include a brief list of themes that could be discussed within the panels:

  • Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Political participation and civil society in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Electoral processes in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Historical perspective of regimes in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Public discourse in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Political parties, party systems, party membership in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Populism in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Political leadership in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Governance and Governments in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Dilemmas of democracy in Ukraine
  • Central and Eastern Europe and EU, USA, Russia, China, Africa, Asia

The provided list of sub-themes or/and panels is surely not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to respond to the conference’s general theme by proposing specific topics of their own, proposals on all aspects of Central European politics will be considered. The conference is open to researchers from all countries with an interest in Central European affairs.

Paper and panel Proposals

The academic program for the conference will be organized in the usual format of panels. Each panel should comprise four to five papers plus a chair. We welcome individual paper proposals and/or complete panel proposals as well.

Proposals for panels should include:

  • Name, institutional affiliation and email address of the proposed panel chair;
  • Proposed panel title and summary of its theme (approx. 250 words + up to 5 keywords);
  • Tentative indication of possible panellists including their names, institutional affiliation and email addresses.

The tasks for a panel chair include:

  • proposing a panel around a theme;
  • maintaining a balance between established and new-coming scholars, and postgraduate students;
  • maintaining a balance with regards to the national affiliation of panellists (up to two panel members from the same national political science association).

The closing date for panel proposals: 30 July 2021 

Proposal for papers should include:

  • Name, institutional affiliation and e-mail address of the proposed contributor;
  • Proposed paper title and summary of its theme (approx. 250 words + up to 5 keywords);
  • Proposed panel where the paper could be placed (if known).

The closing date for paper proposals: 30 July 2021

Proposals should be submitted to: cepsa2021@uwm.edu.pl

Participants are informed of the acceptance at the end of July 2021. The first draft of a programme will be available at the beginning of September 2021

Conference format:

CEPSA conference will be organized either in-person or in hybrid form between 17 and 19 November 2021 in Olsztyn. We will announce the final decision in September 2021.