PSA Workshop: Influence of the Magna Carta
In 2015, the Magna Carta will have its 800th Anniversary. The Magna Carta was a revolutionary
document for its time, whose influence is still felt all over the world. To recognize the importance of
the Magna Carta and commemorate its anniversary, the Political Studies Association has asked me
and Robert Hazell to host a workshop on the “Influence of the Magna Carta”. The workshop will
take place at UCL on the 18th of June, 2014. Select papers from the workshop will be included in an
edited volume to be published in 2015.
We are inviting applications to present papers at the workshop. Much of what has been written on
the Magna Carta has come from historians and lawyers. We see this workshop as an opportunity for
political scientists to make an important contribution to our understanding of the influence and the
implications of the Magna Carta in the United Kingdom and beyond. In this regard, we are looking
for a wide range of contributions, including papers on the impact of the Magna Carta in specific
countries, cross-nationally or in international law. We would also welcome contributions that
demonstrate lessons we can learn from studying the Magna Carta. For instance, what does the
Magna Carta teach us about constitutional design, the rule of law, elite pacts or democracy? This list
of ideas is not exhaustive, so if you have a paper idea that fits the theme, then please submit a
proposal. We will give priority to those who can speak to a wide, interdisciplinary audience.
To submit a proposal, please send me ([email protected]) the title and abstract of your paper by
5:00 p.m. on the 31st of January, 2014. We expect to send invitations to present at the workshop in
early February.