Department of Political Science

Graduate students to engage with lawyers, political economists and theorists at SSHRC-funded workshop

Some of the top Canadian and international lawyers, political economists, social and development theorists will meet with graduate students this week to analyze and debate the “new constitutionalism”, a central characteristic of the global political economy. It’s another way York students are being given opportunities to engage with the wider community, says York Distinguished Research Professor Stephen […]

Professor Thomas Klassen heads to Korea to research and mobilize new labour force policies

Thomas Klassen, a professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of Public Policy & Administration in the Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, has been invited to South Korea to be a visiting researcher. Right: Thomas Klassen The Korea Labor Institute has asked Klassen to conduct research on new policies for Korea’s labour force […]

Professors Drummond and MacDermid comment on Liberal Ken Dryden's defeat in York Centre

After three terms in office, hockey legend Ken Dryden couldn't save his seat in York Centre on Monday, giving up a riding the Liberals have safely held for almost half a century, wrote The Canadian Press May 3 (via The Record.com): Considered one of the most vulnerable Liberal incumbents heading into the federal election, Dryden […]

Professor Robert MacDermid shares last-minute insight on interpreting polls

Elections Canada requires the publishers of public opinion surveys during elections to publish some facts about the methodology, so readers can gauge how reliable the poll is, wrote Global Television News online April 28: Anyone transmitting the results of a poll has to include the name of the sponsor and the company that did the […]

Professor David Dewitt appointed vice-president of programs at CIGI

David Dewitt, associate vice-president research (social sciences & humanities) and a professor of political science in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, will be taking a leave of absence from York University to become the vice-president of programs at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). His new position commences July 1. Left: […]

Professor Robert Drummond gives politicans how-to guide for connecting with averages joes

Is having an ordinary-guy, awshucks image really that important when it comes to an election race? wrote the Toronto Sun April 3: A York University political science prof says it's hit or miss. "Populism is an overused term," said Robert Drummond. "It means having ordinary people making decisions rather than experts – it's appealing, but […]

Professor Saeed Rahnema among distinguished thinkers speaking today on the Middle East

The revolutions in the Middle East have, in their wake, left countries struggling with how to reassert relations with regimes that are in transition. This afternoon, from 2 to 4pm at the Vivian & David Campbell Conference Centre at the Munk School at the University of Toronto, York political science Professor Saeed Rahnema (right) will […]

Professor and CRC Leo Panitch on renewed interest in Karl Marx

With the West suffering from the after-effects of the financial crisis and revolution in the air in parts of the world, could it possibly be springtime for Marx? wrote The Globe and Mail March 26: "I'm optimistic about the explosion that's happened in Wisconsin," says Leo Panitch, a political science professor at York University [Faculty […]

Professor Ananya Mukherjee-Reed's study lauds women's collective farming

Groups of women taking up collective farming in the state under Kudumbasree caught the imagination of Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, professor of political science and development studies at York University in Toronto [Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies], wrote India’s The Hindu March 11: It is by far the best method to ensure food security, especially […]

CRC Leo Panitch: Toronto needs objective analysis of garbage privatization proposal

Now that the garbage has hit the fan again in Toronto, so to speak, it would have been nice to have seen some serious investigative journalism before an editorial rushing to endorse privatization, wrote Leo Panitch, Canada Research Chair in Comparative Political Economy and Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science in York’s Faculty of Liberal […]

Four York professors to explore turmoils in the Middle East today

Want to understand recent events in Egypt and the surrounding region better? A Teach-in Panel on Turmoils in the Middle East – an area covering North Africa and Western Asia – will be presented this week, featuring York professors from the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. The teach-in will take place Thursday, Feb. […]

Panel examines impact of financial crisis on auto industry January 24

The second panel in York University’s “Automobility” series, taking place today, will examine the changing political economy of the global automobile industry. The panel, hosted by York’s Canadian Centre for German & European Studies (CCGES) and co-sponsored by the International Business Program of the Schulich School of Business, will feature Scott Paradise, VP marketing & business […]

Professor Haideh Moghissi edits new book on Muslim diaspora in the West

In her ongoing effort to illuminate the experience of Muslims in the West, York Professor Haideh Moghissi has recently produced her second book on the subject, Muslim Diaspora in the West: Negotiating Gender, Home and Belonging. Released in December, the volume of essays by scholars from both sides of the Atlantic explores issues of race […]

Upcoming symposium focuses on new directions in Victorian research

The Victorian Studies Network at York (VSNY) will delve into New Directions in Victorian Research at its third annual symposium this Friday. Faculty and students from English, history, political science, science & technology, and the Scott Library will discuss their current scholarship during the symposium, which will take place Oct. 22, from 10am to 2:45pm, […]

York remembers Professor Harold Kaplan: Former arts dean and student supporter

Harold Kaplan, professor emeritus of political science and former dean of York’s Faculty of Arts, died on June 22 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. He was 74. Kaplan joined the University in 1962 and served as acting chair of political science at the Glendon campus from 1964 to 1965. After his first sabbatical […]

York signs research collaboration agreement with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

York will have even more opportunity to partner with researchers from China after the University signed a collaboration agreement with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Monday. CASS has over 30 research institutes, while York has one of the largest faculties of social sciences and humanities in Canada, which makes this an ideal partnership. “CASS is […]

Professor Thomas Klassen: South Korea’s population targeted to be ‘most elderly’ by 2025

By 2050, the median age in Korea is projected to be 57 years, according to an article written by Thomas Klassen of York University’s Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. The article was published January 12, 2010 for GlobalBrief.ca, but was quoted in fastcompany.com's July 29 article about […]

Professor Saeed Rahnema on Iranian woman's sentence to die by stoning

Professor Saeed Rahnema in the Department of Political Science spoke to the The Globe and Mail July 12 about the reasons why stoning is a rarely used form of execution in Iran (see below). The sentencing of an Iranian woman accused of adultery to die by stoning has garnered international media attention in recent weeks: […]

Video: Prof David McNally speaks to CBC about Black Bloc protest groups and the G20 summit

Professor David McNally, professor of political science in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, speaks to CBC News about Black Bloc protest groups and their participation in the protest movement and Toronto's G20 summit on June 27, 2010. The clip runs 4:30 and is available on CBC's website. Republished courtesy of YFile– York […]

Video: Professor Ananya Mukherjee-Reed Talks to the Agenda about the G20 and emerging powers

Professor Ananya Mukherjee-Reed in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies' Department of Political Science took part in a panel discussion on the status and responsibilities of the leaders of G20 countries and the emerging powers of India, Brazil and China on TVO’s “The Agenda” June 22. The clip runs almost 37 minutes. You […]