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 2024.
Deadline for nominations: February 15, 2026
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Natasha Piano | University of California, Los Angeles | npiano@g.ucla.edu |
| William Tilleczek | Université de Montréal | William.tilleczek@umontreal.ca |
| Arwa Awan | Oberlin College | aawan1@oberlin.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, 2026
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | Mailing Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keally McBride | University of San Francisco | kdmcbride@usfca.edu | Please contact Prof. McBride for mailing address: kdmcbride@usfca.edu |
| Melissa Lane | Princeton University | melissa.lane@princeton.edu | Professor Melissa Lane Department of Politics, Princeton University 001 Fisher Hall Princeton NJ 08544 |
| Bernard Yack | Brandeis University | yack@brandeis.edu | Professor Bernard Yack Dept. of Politics Olin-Sang 107 MS058 Brandeis University Waltham, MA 02453 |
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, 2026
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | Mailing Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loren Goldman | University of Pennsylvania | golo@sas.upenn.edu | Professor Loren Goldman Department of Political Science University of Pennsylvania RPCPSE 133 S. 36th St. Philadelphia, PA 19139 |
| Kyong-Min Son | University of Delaware | kmson@udel.edu | Professor Kyong-Min Son Political Science and International Relations University of Delaware 347 Smith Hall, 18 Amstel Avenue Newark, DE 19716 |
| Shatema Threadcraft | Vanderbilt University | shatema.a.threadcraft@vanderbilt.edu | Professor Shatema Threadcraft Vanderbilt University VU Station B #350086 2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37235 |
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, 2026
Award Committee
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Agatha Slupek | University of Western Michigan | agatha.slupek@wmich.edu |