The International Review of Administrative Sciences (IRAS) is pleased to announce a Call for Papers for its upcoming Special Issue titled Public Administration in Polarized Democracies: Theoretical Perspectives, Empirical Insights, Practical Implications.

This Special Issue, guest-edited by Professor Michael Bauer (Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute), addresses the systemic crisis facing modern democracies. Polarization, populism, and illiberal governance have significant implications for public administration, bureaucratic resilience, and the social contract between citizens and the state.

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts exploring themes such as:

• Causes and Impact of      Polarization and Populism: Examining their influence on public administration and relationships between bureaucrats, politicians, and citizens.
• Effects of Illiberal      Governance: Addressing challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by bureaucratic institutions under illiberal pressures.
• Strengthening      Bureaucratic Resilience: Exploring strategies to fortify governance systems against democratic backsliding.
• Comparative      Perspectives: Analyzing the effects of polarization and governance reforms across different contexts.

Submission Details:

• Abstract Deadline: January 15, 2025
• Submission Email: michael.bauer@eui.eu 
   (cc: sabine.kuhlman@uni-potsdam.de; ricardo.gomes@fgv.br)

For more information, please access: https://journals.sagepub.com/pb-assets/cmscontent/RAS/IRAS%20Call%20for%20Papers%20Polarization%20November%202024-1733402329.pdf.

We encourage scholars and practitioners worldwide to contribute and advance the discourse on these pressing challenges.