CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR ECPR WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
Helsinki, 7th-12th May 2007
Social Justice: Ideal Theory, Non-ideal Circumstances
Workshop Directors: Ingrid Robeyns ([log in to unmask], University of
Amsterdam) and Adam Swift ([log in to unmask], University of
Oxford)
It is a familiar objection that normative political theory has become
unhelpfully detached from the real world. The influence on the discipline of
Rawls' A Theory of Justice has, it is alleged, led theorists to focus too
much attention on the question of what an ideally just society would look
like, while neglecting the implications of their theorising for pressing
practical issues of social justice confronted by societies here and now. Some
conceive the problem as a hijacking of political theory by philosophy; others
defend the value of a philosophical approach but urge theorists to devote
greater attention to less fundamental, but more urgent, issues concerning the
application of ideal theory to the non-ideal circumstances in which politics
actually occurs. This would require political theorists to engage in
interdisciplinary work with empirical social scientists - sociologists,
economists, political scientists and experts in social policy.
This workshop welcomes papers that consider how ideal theory may most
fruitfully be brought to bear on real-world problems of social justice.
Papers may operate at a theoretical level, analysing the variety of things
that might be meant by 'ideal' and 'non-ideal' theorising, and exploring the
various ways in which political philosophical work on social justice connects
with political action - whether by individuals or by polities as a whole. Or
they may proceed more concretely, by exploring a particular policy issue and
considering how the various brands of ideal theory on offer address (or fail
to address) it. We particularly welcome papers that use case studies to
yield clearer understanding of the ideal/non-ideal distinction.
All participants are expected to present a paper and to attend all sessions
of the workshop. Applications should include a short summary of the proposed
paper, an explanation as to how this will fit into the theme, and a short
CV. We expect to accept about 20 applications, and we aim to include a
mixture of advanced students, newer members of the profession, and
well-established researchers. Prospective participants are welcome to get in
touch with one of the directors in advance of applying. The deadline for
applications is 1 December 2006.
For more details, see
http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr/events/jointsessions/helsinki/Helsinki-academic-programme.pdf
Ingrid Robeyns
Adam Swift
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