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RC06 Political Sociology

Track Code
RC06
Track Chairs
Dr. Chun-chih Chang
Dr. Maria Esperanza Casullo

Brings together political scientists and sociologists in this highly diverse, empirically based field of study; promoting and this dynamic interdisciplinary exchange of scholars and ideas lies at the core of the CPS and determines its policies. The committee aims to establish a community of like–minded scholars, to facilitate communication and the dissemination of scientific research, and to increase the theoretical and practical significance of the field.

Call for Papers/Panels (RC 06 Political Sociology): “The Dynamic Relationship Between State and Society in a Polarized World”

In their recent analyses, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson emphasize that the equilibrium in the interaction between state and society is crucial for ensuring liberty and enhancing state capacity (Acemoglu and Robinson, 2019; 2023). Building on their work, we invite scholars to submit papers and open/closed panel proposals that explore the evolving relationship between state institutions and civil society within the context of rapidly evolving political landscapes. How are the increasing trends of autocratization and populism redefining the roles of the state and civil society, and altering their interactions? Leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs), how do state and societal actors influence one another in their interactions? What are the consequences of state-society interactions, particularly in terms of either strengthening state capacity or empowering civil society?
We welcome contributions that delve into these questions and explore the evolving relationships between state institutions and civil society in today’s complex political landscape. Topics of interest include new roles for state and society, innovative forms of interaction, and the transformative effects of ICTs on governance. We encourage scholars from diverse disciplines to provide fresh perspectives on the enduring issue of state-society relations.

Acemoglu D, Robinson JA (2019) The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies and the Fate of Liberty. New York: Penguin.
Acemoglu D, Robinson JA (2023) Weak, Despotic, or Inclusive? How State Type Emerges from State versus Civil Society Competition. American Political Science Review 117(2): 407–420.

Chun-Chih Chang (Xiamen University) and Maria Esperanza Casullo (Universidad Nacional de Río Negro)