Call for papers

23rd Annual Conference of Central European Political Science Association

One hundred years after: 1918-2018

13 – 14 September, Banská Bystrica, Slovak Republic

Organised by

the Central European Policital Science Association

in cooperation with

the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations,

Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica

with financial support from the city of Banská Bystrica and Mayor Mr. Ján Nosko

Venue: Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Kuzmányho 1, Banská Bystrica

„We consider freedom to be the first prerequisite for federalization, and believe that the free nations of central and eastern Europe may easily federate should they find it necessary.“

Declaration of Independence of the Czechoslovak Nation

In 2018, the entire world commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War, a conflict, the results of which, among other things, included the creation of East-Central Europe as a region of nation-states. With the fall of the multinational empires in the region, the inhabitants of the former "prisons of nations" soon were confronted with the challenges of building up and defending their independent states.

East-Central Europe, predestined by its location, has always been in the centre of everything that happened on the continent. An entire century has passed since the year 1918, the tumultuous course of which formed our region up until its current state. Wars, regime changes, or pressing national issues aren’t the only basis for the development of East-Central European states. Growth and successful progress achieved also significantly helped shape the aforementioned states during the past decades.

As we’re commemorating such an important historical milestone, which the end of the First World War certainly is, the illusion of success is diminishing due to the challenges posed by the rise of nationalism, the calls to stop deepening integration, or by populism with a substantial flavour of conservatism.

If we regarded our region as stable and deeply entrenched in the values of liberal democracy 10 years ago, we are witnessing the exact opposite nowadays. East-Central Europe is fighting for its identity.

Which way will our region head in the future? What roles will nation-states play in this process? Does liberal democracy in East-Central Europe have a future?

Within the conference panels both the theoretical and analytical contributions might be presented with the general theme “One hundred years after: 1918-2018”. Below we mention brief list of themes that might be discussed within the panels:

Free Speech vs. Democracy
Role of International Law in the Region of Central Europe
Nation State in Contemporary Research
Trajectories of Party Politics in the Region
Central Europe´s Relation towards Europe
Threats to Liberal Democracy
Rise of Conservativism and Nationalism Parties in CEECs
Relations between the State and its Citizens in Central Europe
CEECs and China
CEECs and Russia
Enlargement vs. Disintegration from CEECs Perspective
Energy Security in Central Europe
Challenges of Societal Security in Central Europe Region
Fragility of Borders in Central and Eastern Europe in the Past and Present
Importance of Collective Defense for CEECs
Contribution of Central European States to Interwar, Post-war and Current European Order

A broad range of topics is suggested, which cover theoretical studies, international relations, comparative politics and other sub-disciplines of political science. While participants are especially invited to respond to the conference theme, proposals on other aspects of Central European politics will be considered as well. The conference is open to the researchers from all the countries with the interest in Central European affairs.

The academic program for the conference will be organized in the usual format of panels. Each panel should comprise three to five papers plus 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).
Tentative indication of possible panelists including their names, institutional affiliation, proposed paper title, summary of its theme and email addresses.

The closing date for panel proposals is midnight CET on 29th of June 2018.

Proposal for papers should include:

Name, institutional affiliation and email address of the proposed contributor.
Proposed paper title and summary of its theme (approx. 250 words).
Proposed panel where the paper could be placed (if known).

The closing deadline for paper proposals is midnight CET on 29th of June 2018.

The proposals should be sent to cepsa-conference@umb.sk. All proposers will be notified of the selection until 11th of July 2018.