Foundations of Political Theory (Section 17)
The purpose of this section is to advance the linkage of political theory and philosophy with political science as a discipline. It stands at and seeks to support the intersection where philosophical, psychological, normative, and empirical approaches and problems meet.
Founded: 1988
Website: https://connect.apsanet.org/s17/
Section Counts
Section Membership Dues
| Student | Regular |
|---|---|
| $0 | $20 |
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Section Officers
Section Officers
Section Awards
All section 17. Foundations of Political Theory awards to-date »
Best Paper Award
The Best Paper Award is given for the best paper presented on a foundations panel at the previous year’s APSA Annual Meeting. Nominations are limited to presenters untenured as of September 2026.
Deadline for nominations: February 15, 2027
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Ploof | University of Wisconsin-Madison | rploof@wisc.edu |
| Daniel Luban | Columbia University | dhl2140@columbia.edu |
| Ainsley Lesure | Brown University | ainsley_lesure@brown.edu |
David Easton Award
The David Easton Award is given for a book, published in the past calendar year, that broadens the horizons of contemporary political science by engaging issues of philosophical significances in political life through any variety of approaches in the social sciences and humanities. First books are not eligible. Please mail a copy of the nominated book to each member of the award committee.
Deadline for nominations: February 15, 2027
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | Mailing Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melvin Rogers | Brown University | melvin_rogers@brown.edu | Please contact Prof. Rogers for mailing address: melvin_rogers@brown.edu |
| Jodi Dean | Hobart and William Smith Colleges | jdean@hws.edu | Professor Jodi Dean Department of Politics Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY 14456 |
| John Medearis | University of California, Riverside | john.medearis@ucr.edu | Please contact Prof. Medearis for mailing address: john.medearis@ucr.edu |
The First Book Award
The First Book Award is given for a first book, published in the past calendar year, by a scholar in the early stages of his or her career in the area of political theory or political philosophy. Please mail a copy of the nominated book to each member of the award committee.
Deadline for nominations: February 15, 2027
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | Mailing Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anita Chari | University of Oregon | anitac@uoregon.edu | Professor Anita Chari Department of Political Science 1284 University of Oregon 175 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall Eugene, OR 97403-1205 |
| Char Miller | George Mason University | cmillerd@gmu.edu | Professor Char Miller Schar School of Policy and Government George Mason University MS 3F4 4400 University Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 |
| Alexander Livingston | Cornell University | alexander.livingston@cornell.edu | Professor Alexander Livingston 215 White Hall Department of Government Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 |
Okin-Young Award
The Okin-Young Award in Feminist Political Theory, co-sponsored by Women and Politics, Foundations of Political Theory, and the Women’s Caucus for Political Science, commemorates the scholarly, mentoring, and professional contributions of Susan Moller Okin and Iris Marion Young to the development of the field of feminist political theory. The annual award recognizes the best paper on feminist political theory published in an English language academic journal during the previous calendar year.
Deadline for nominations: February 15, 2027
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Ella Myers | University of Utah | ella.myers@utah.edu |