Workshops

Workshops are sessions that are meant to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in fuller examination of a particular theme. All conference registrants are invited to attend workshops in their entirety or to drop in for any part.

Workshop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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Workshop 1 – CPSA/ISA-Canada Section on International Relations: Practicing International Relations: Bridging the Gap Between Intellectuals and Practitioners

Organizers: Ellen Gutterman (York University) and David Grondin (University of Ottawa)

See Sessions C1(a),C2(a),C4(a),C5(a),C6(a),C7(a),C11(a),C12(a),C14(a)

Both as a disciplinary field of knowledge, research, and teaching (IR) and as a traditional practice (ir), International Relations includes intellectuals and practitioners who may work closely together or, for better or for worse, in completely separate spheres. On the one hand, critical IR scholars and political scientists in other subfields often criticize International Relations scholarship for being too close to power, for potentially serving the interests of governments, transnational political agendas, and other institutions of governance. At the same time, the popular notion of academics roosting in their “ivory towers”, not uncommonly held by government officials, transnational policy activists, and the general public, suggests a field of knowledge divorced from the actual practice of international relations and, potentially, irrelevant.

Taking into account the recent “practice” turn in IR scholarship, this workshop calls into question the gap apparently dividing intellectuals from practitioners of international relations, in Canada and abroad. Specifically, what is the extent of the policy-academy divide in the field of international relations in Canada today? What are the available pathways for bridging this divide, from either direction, and what are the trade-offs – advantages and pitfalls – of doing so? What is the process by which ideas come to shape policy, and vice versa?

More broadly, what does it mean to “practice” IR? What counts as practices of international relations? What does the “practice turn” in IR theory tell us about the changing nature of our discipline? How does the notion of “practicing” IR influence our theories (how we theorize), our methods (how we study, produce knowledge, and teach), and our sociology (how we structure, govern, professionalize, and reflect upon the practice of this disciplinary field)?

We invited panels and papers seeking to explore these questions and others suggested by the general theme of practicing IR and bridging the policy-academy divide in Canada and abroad. Common themes of study and clusters of practice that might be gainfully explored in this context include, but are not limited to, those related to: diplomacy, trade, conflict and crisis management, the conduct of war, human rights and international law, migration, global development, national security policy, foreign policy, civil-military relations, international and global governance and policing, security technologies, environmental policies, and/or governmental policymaking, among others.

In addition to the impact of the “practice turn” in IR theory, the growing emphasis by SSHRC and other funders on the demonstrable, practical implications and policy relevance of IR research makes this workshop’s interrogation of the policy-academy divide particularly timely and important. Thus we also encourage panels or papers examining the practice of IR as an academic discipline, including the implications for our field of the current funding realities.

Confirmed keynote speakers:

- Roland Paris (University Research Chair in International Security and Governance, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and founding Director of the Centre for International Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa);

- Vincent Pouliot (Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, William Dawson Scholar and Director of the Centre for International Peace and Security Studies at McGill University);

- Irvin Studin (Professor of Public Policy at the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (Moscow), Fellow, School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto, Editor-in-Chief, Global Brief, and President, Institute for 21st Century Questions)

- Claire Turenne-Sjolander (Professor, School of Political Studies and Vice-Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa)

Our panels:
- Theory/Practice in Diplomacy
- International Military Intervention & Crisis Management
- Of Scholars and Practitioners: Bridges
- Gender & Development
- Roundtable: The Politics of Canadian Defense
- Keynote Panel
- Institutions and Networks of Global Governance
- Professional Development Panel: Non-Academic Jobs

- Nuclear Proliferation and NPT Politics

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Workshop 2 – Law and Public Policy: The Challenge of Honest Politics & Judging Judges: Honouring Ian Greene

Organizer: Dagmar Soennecken (York University)

See Sessions D11,D12,D14(a)

This workshop is celebrating the many contributions of Ian Greene to the discipline. Ian has taught public policy and administration at York University since 1985. He has been a full professor since 2001, and was presented with the title of University Professor in 2010, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the university as a colleague, teacher and scholar. Ian is “semi-retired” since July 1, 2013.

Ian Greene’s primary academic contributions have been on the topic of ethics in politics and on judicial behaviour. To date, he has published seven monographs and more than thirty academic articles or book chapters. Currently, Ian is researching the impact of social science and historical evidence on the Supreme Court of Canada. His most recent book is The Charter of Rights (2nd edition), which will be published by Lorimer in October 2014.

The workshop will take stock of both academic and ‘real world’ developments with the goal of fostering further academic inquiry and debate. Contributions are now being sought for the following three panels:

Panel 1: Ethics & Government: Irreconcilably Different?
How much progress have Canadian politicians and government officials made in moving towards a more honest politics? What are the main accomplishments and challenges? Has one level of government made more progress than another? What influence do international factors have?

Panel 2: Looking Forward, Looking Back: The Charter and Judicial Behaviour
How has the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Charter evolved under the Harper government? Have societal actors been more or less mobilized by these developments? And what is new in judicial behaviour research from a methodological and substantive perspective? Or are we merely repeating ourselves?

Panel 3: Social Sciences in the Canadian Justice System
How important is social science research in the courtroom vis-à-vis that from other disciplines? What purpose does such research serve in light of a more recent shift away from evidence-based policy making in Canada? What are the challenges and opportunities for researchers and policy makers?

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Workshop 3 – Political Behaviour/Sociology: Permanent Campaigning in Canada

Organizers: Anna Esselment (University of Waterloo), Thierry Giasson (Université Laval), and Alex Marland (Memorial University)

See sessions F11(b),F12(b),F14(b),F15

The Permanent Campaigning in Canada workshop is co-sponsored by the Université Laval’s Groupe de recherche en communication politique (GRCP), The Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship/ Le Centre pour l'étude de la citoyennetédémocratique, and the UBC Press series Communication, Strategy and Politics.

Permanent campaigning describes an approach to governance whereby the partisan elites who control the government apply strategies and techniques usually found in a campaign setting to the process of governing itself. This day-long workshop brings together people who are interested in the latest trends in campaigning research, tactics and strategy. Presentations will consider how the permanent campaign has affected electoral readiness using political marketing tools in areas such as political parties, polling and public opinion, new information technologies, and fundraising efforts. They will explore political communication as an essential component of the permanent campaign in branding and positioning, political public relations, online platforms, open government and transparency, or government advertising. Furthermore presenters will examine the intersection of governance and permanent campaign effects through analyses of political staff, the politicization of the public service, federal budgets and strategic spending announcements, the use of prerogative powers of the Crown, or government relations with interest groups.

The program will also comprise a lunch-time “Author Meets Critics” session with Tom Flanagan to discuss his book Winning Power: Canadian Campaigning in the 21st Century.

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Workshop 4 – Political Theory: Political Philosophy and the Works of Thomas L. Pangle

Organizers: Ann Ward (University of Regina) and Lee Ward (University of Regina)

See Sessions H7(a),H11(a),H12(a),H14(a),H15(a)

Thomas L. Pangle is one of the most pre-eminent political philosophers in North America today. He has had a long and distinguished career teaching in universities in both Canada and the United States. In the last decade Pangle has been especially prolific, publishing Aristotle's Teaching in the Politics (Chicago, 2013), The Theological Basis of Liberal Modernity in Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws (Chicago, 2010), Leo Strauss: An Introduction to His Thought and Intellectual Legacy (Johns Hopkins, 2006), and Political Philosophy and the God of Abraham (Johns Hopkins, 2003). These books cover a broad and diverse range of topics, but arguably together present a provocative response to the question what is political philosophy?

In honour of the work of Thomas Pangle and in an effort to elucidate what political philosophy is as a subject and a way of life, papers in the workshop address the following themes:

-the ethical and political philosophy of Aristotle;
-the moral foundations of liberal modernity and its contemporary challenges;
-the dialogue between ancients and moderns in the history of political philosophy;
-the dialogue between reason and revelation in the history of political philosophy;
-themes and questions addressing specifically the recent works of Thomas L. Pangle.

Keynote Speaker (confirmed) H15(a): Thomas L. Pangle, Joe R. Long Chair in Democratic Studies, Department of Government, and Co-Director, Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas, University of Texas at Austin.

Confirmed Roundtable Participants, H12(a): Thomas L. Pangle (University of Texas at Austin), Catherine Zuckert (University of Notre Dame), Michael Zuckert (University of Notre Dame), Leah Bradshaw (Brock University), Timothy Burns (Baylor University), Lee Ward (University of Regina), Ann Ward (University of Regina).

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Workshop 5 – Provincial and Territorial Politics in Canada and Beyond: Comparing Provinces and Territories

Organizer: Mireille Paquet (Concordia University)

See sessions J1,J2,J4,J6,J7(a),J11,J12

Debates regarding the role(s) of comparative methods and of theoretical tools stemming from comparative politics for the study of Canadian politics are a contemporary staple of the field. This workshop builds on these debates – and on the multiple rich contributions on the topic – but aims to address, more systematically, comparison in provincial and territorial political research. The objective of this workshop is to bring together researchers that are engaged in comparative research on provincial/territorial politics and policy. While presenting novel research, papers should also advance insight on the following issues: case selection, promising sources of data, qualitative/quantitative analysis, challenges and opportunities, relevance of single-case analysis and theory building. Theoretical and empirical papers are most welcome.

Confirmed participants include: Geneviève Tellier (University of Ottawa), Audrey L’Espérance (University of Toronto), Daniel Béland (University of Saskatchewan), Martin Papillon (Université de Montréal), André Lecours (University of Ottawa), Michael Atkinson (University of Saskatchewan), Chedly Belkhodja (Concordia University), James Bickerton (St. Francis Xavier University), Nelson Wiseman (University of Toronto), Antoine Bilodeau (Concordia University), Patrik Marier (Concordia University), Aude-Claire Fourot (Simon Fraser University), Alain Noël (Université de Montréal), Peter Graefe (McMaster University), Christopher Dunn (Memorial University), Alex Netherton (Vancouver Island University) and Ken Rasmussen (University of Regina).

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Workshop 6 – Public Administration: The Institutional Culture of Corruption in Public and Private Organizations

Organizer: Denis Saint-Martin (Université de Montréal )

See sessions K7

Corruption is an illegal and hidden tax imposed on society by economic and political interests acting to deviate public resources to private ends. Where this tax is too steep, it slows socio-economic development and increases political and social divisions. Research in political science notes a close relationship between corruption and economic and political inequalities. In recent years, a portion of this research has looked at the issue of “quality of government”, to better understand the impact of political and governmental institutions on economic development and societal wellbeing. Attention has been centered on the matter of working toward "better" - rather than “less” – government. In these studies, the existence of a Weberian, impartial and autonomous public administration is seen as one of the most significant determinants of a government’s capacity to provide efficient, quality services and public policies to citizens. However, this type of administration tends to be the exception rather than the rule. Impartial public service is frequently challenged by the collusion of interests in the diversion of public resources for private gain.

Until now, researchers have principally focused on the capacity of institutions and formal regulations to fight corruption and strengthen good governance. Efforts have focused on changing the “incentives structure” of corruption by which individuals in organisations come to believe that the benefits to be gained via cheating outweigh the risks of getting caught. The work resulting from this research has nurtured a wave of reforms that aim to discourage corruption by means of controls, audits and inspections within organisations, such as the anti-corruption programs launched in the past 15 to 20 years by international organisations such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund.

These reforms have led to the adoption of numerous laws and formal regulations, but they have also been characterized by a lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, paying scant attention to the informal aspects and interpretative nature of rules and institutions. They also tend to ignore the ambiguity inherent in most organisations’ formal regulations, as the key players invariably have some flexibility and discretion in their application. Values, shared norms and organisational culture are all filters that give meaning to the choices made by the key players.

For the 2015 CPSA conference, we asked political scientists and students of public administration to submit papers that explore the “institutional cultures” of corruption and that seek to advance knowledge of how values and informal norms interact with formal rules to produce structural incentives conducive to corrupt behavior in public and private sector organizations, in Canada and abroad.

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Workshop 7 – Race, Ethnicity, Indigenous Peoples and Politics: Indigenizing the University

Organizers: Joyce Green (University of Regina) and Diedre A. Desmarais (University of Manitoba)

See session L6

Indigenizing the University has been a subject of conversation at Indigenous scholars’ conferences, within institutions, and at CAUT conferences. Yet there does not appear to be a strong consensus on what Indigenization means. Some scholars see it as an anti-colonial, anti-racist reconstruction of education through revision of curriculum and institutional processes. Others see it as an inclusion exercise, one bringing Indigenous students and scholars into the academy as it is. Yet others seem to frame this as a means to demonstrate the academy’s righteousness, while carefully controlling Indigenous voices and practices to ensure the result. Scholars on this panel will explore some of the opportunities in and challenges to Indigenization of the academy.

We invited workshop paper proposals that engage with these themes and that explore Indigenization as an emancipator process within a colonial institution that has liberatory and educative possibilities.

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Workshop 8 – Women, Gender and Politics: Re-gendering Institutional Spaces: Advancing the Feminist Institutionalist Research Agenda

Organizers: Tracey Raney (Ryerson University) and Cheryl Collier (University of Windsor)

See sessions N1,N2

In an effort to understand how gender inequalities are produced and reproduced, feminist scholars have turned their attention to institutionalist theories of political science. Collectively, these works seek to disclose and explain how institutions —both formal structures, rules and processes and informal networks, norms, principles and conventions— are gendered, and the ways in which various institutional configurations and arenas constrain or assist in the advancement of the goals of gender equality. The central aim of this workshop is to help build the feminist institutionalist (FI) research agenda through the development of new case studies of analysis and the advancement of new theoretical and/or empirical approaches to FI.

In their groundbreaking edited collection, Krook and Mackay (2011) develop a conceptual and empirical blueprint in moving such a research agenda forward. For Krook and Mackay, FI’s path forward is necessarily diverse and engages in a multi-methods approach to the feminist institutionalist agenda. Following this trajectory, this workshop seeks to bring together a broad set of research questions and approaches in the analysis of institutions as structures of power that are inherently gendered. One of the greatest strengths of FI, we believe, is its capacity to identify power relations within institutions as gendered phenomena, an insight that is especially beneficial as we consider whether and how institutions ought to be changed or ‘re-gendered’ in ways that produce more equitable and egalitarian results for women.

For this workshop we welcomed papers from a broad array of interests and perspectives, including theoretical and empirical; Canadian, international or comparative perspectives. Particular themes of interest include:

• Theoretically innovative papers that engage in a dialogue between feminist institutionalism and other strands of institutionalist theory;
• Analyses of how political institutions are formed and sustained, and how gender is embedded within them;
• An account of gender/diversity in various institutional spaces and arenas, including in executives, legislatures, judiciaries, and public services;
• A focus on the institutional structures, norms, and cultures of Westminster-style parliamentary systems through the lens of gender;
• Gender and institutions of political recruitment, including the roles of political parties and electoral systems;
• The interplay between formal and informal institutional structures and their gendered effects;
• New approaches to institutionalism that account for other forms of diversity, including but not limited to race, class, ethnicity, Indigeneity, and sexual orientation;
• The changing nature and role of women’s policy machineries within state structures;
• How multi-level governance (local, state, federal/national, global) structures affect women’s everyday lives; and,
• Measurements of gender equality in political institutions.

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