named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Conference
Organizes an annual conference on contemporary themes in political thought, hosted at universities across North America, bringing together scholars to discuss theoretical and historical perspectives.
David and Elaine Spitz Prize
Annual prize awarded for the best book in democratic and/or liberal theory published two years prior; recognizes scholarly contributions to the field and honors the legacy of David and Elaine Spitz.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 2 activities
- Host academic events at professional association conferencesOrganizes and hosts an annual reception at the American Political Science Association (APSA) conference to convene scholars and promote dialogue in political thought.
- Organize annual and smaller academic conferences and eventsHosts an annual major conference on topics of theoretical and political significance, as well as smaller gatherings such as workshops, lectures, and panels, bringing together scholars from intellectual history, political and social theory, philosophy, and related fields. Events are held at universities including Cornell and Yale, with recent conferences examining themes such as democratic representation, political power, and political action.
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Conflict and Geopolitical Research Analysis 1 activity
- Advance scholarly research in political thoughtConducts and supports intellectual inquiry into political change, endurance, decay, and transformation of regimes; performs conceptual analysis of political forms and regime types; and examines the persistence of archaic political forms within modern systems.
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Psychoanalytic and Therapeutic Training Support 1 activity
- Award the Melvin Richter Prize for doctoral dissertationsFunds and awards the annual Melvin Richter Prize for the best doctoral dissertation in the history of political thought, recognizing emerging scholarly work in the field.
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Legal Education Scholarships and Fellowships 1 activity
- Award the Spitz Prize for outstanding scholarly booksFunds and administers the annual David and Elaine Spitz Book Prize, which recognizes outstanding scholarly contributions in liberal or democratic theory, with eligibility limited to books published two years prior to the award year, excluding textbooks and edited collections.
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Member-Exclusive Resource Access 1 activity
- Facilitate access to academic resources for membersNegotiates and seeks to secure subscription discounts to leading academic journals for CSPT members, enhancing access to scholarly materials.
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Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Maintain and operate digital platforms and member resourcesSupports the maintenance and operation of CSPT websites and online platforms, and provides members with exclusive access to the CSPT archive.
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Professional Conference Support 1 activity
- Provide financial and logistical support for conference participationOffers financial subsidies for travel costs to support international participants and graduate students attending CSPT events, ensures physical accessibility at venues with ADA-compliant facilities, and provides free registration and access to conference papers.
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Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Support publication of scholarly conference proceedingsProduces and publishes edited volumes based on conference proceedings, including titles such as 'Colonialism and Its Legacies', 'Liberalism and the Moral Life', and 'Machiavelli and the Nature of Political Thought', to advance humanistic and interdisciplinary scholarship.
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Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- Support regional scholarly networks and capacity buildingMaintains an extensive network of affiliated groups and regional chapters in cities worldwide, including Toronto, New York, London, and Singapore, and provides support for initiatives organized by these regional groups.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9K
Contributions & grants$8K95%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$158
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$23K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$23K
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7283.6%
relationships · 49
Who they work with
- American Political Science Association Partner — Organizes an annual reception in coordination with APSA.
- Boston University Partner — Hosts a member of the Spitz Prize Committee
- Brown University Partner — Hosts Sharon Krause, member of the executive committee.
- CUNY Graduate Center Partner — Hosted multiple annual conferences, including in 2005, 1999, 1988, 1984, 1983, 1981, 1979, 1975, 1972, and 1971.
- CUNY Graduate Center Partner — Hosts Melvin Richter, co-founder of CSPT.
- Colorado College Partner — Hosted the 2001 annual conference on Constructions of the Past in Modern Political Philosophy.
- Columbia University Partner — Hosted multiple annual conferences, including in 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1999, and 1997.
- Columbia University Partner — Hosted the 2022 CSPT Annual Conference.
- Columbia University Partner — Hosts David C. Johnston and Sudipta Kaviraj, members of the executive committee.
- Cornell University Partner — Host institution for the 2026 CSPT Conference.
- Cornell University Partner — Hosted the 2021 annual conference on Democratic Representation.
- Cornell University Partner — Hosts the CSPT annual conference at the A.D. White House on its campus.
- Folger Library Partner — Hosted the 1987 annual conference on Conceptual Change and the Constitution.
- Georgetown University Partner — Collaborates with faculty from Georgetown University, as seen in the recognition of Stefan Eich, Assistant Professor of Government.
- Harvard University Partner — Hosts David Armitage, member of the executive committee.
- Hunter College Partner — Co-hosted the 1990 and 1988 annual conferences on Images of the Enlightenment and Liberalism and the Moral Life, respectively.
- J.G.A. Pocock Partner — Co-founded CSPT in 1967 in Toronto.
- J.G.A. Pocock Partner — Dedicated the book "Virtue, Commerce, and History" to CSPT colleagues and friends, indicating a close scholarly affiliation.
- London School of Economics and Political Science Partner — Hosts Chandran Kukathas, member of the executive committee.
- Loyola University Partner — Hosted the 1978 and 1976 annual conferences on Human Nature in Political Thought and Political Thought in 1776, respectively.
- Melvin Richter Partner — Co-founded CSPT in 1967 in Toronto.
- Neal Wood Partner — Co-founded CSPT in 1967 in Toronto.
- Northwestern University Partner — Hosted the 2009 annual conference on Possibility and Paradox: On Rhetoric and Political Theory.
- Palais des Congrès Partner — Hosted the 2000 annual conference on Citizenship, Conscience and Political Education in Quebec, Canada.
- Pitzer College Partner — Hosts Sharon N. Snowiss, member of the executive committee.
- Riverside Church Partner — Hosted the 2024 CSPT conference.
- Stanford University Partner — Hosts a member of the Spitz Prize Committee
- Tulane University Partner — Hosted multiple annual conferences, including in 2003, 2002, 1996, 1994, 1985, and 1982.
- UC Santa Cruz Partner — Hosts a member of the Spitz Prize Committee
- University of Calgary Partner — Hosted the 1981 and 1971 annual conferences on Ideology, Philosophy and Politics and Political Community, respectively.
+ 19 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Comparative and Historical Analysis of Political Formsmethodology: comparative_political_thoughtBy using comparative political theory and historical analysis to examine political power, legitimacy, and institutions across time and context, we produce deeper theoretical insights because contrasting political forms reveals underlying assumptions and enduring tensions in political thought.
- Conference-to-Publication Pipeline for Advancing Scholarly Discoursemethodology: conference-to-publication_pipelineBy organizing interdisciplinary conferences that lead to edited academic volumes, we advance humanistic political thought because sustained dialogue around curated themes produces higher-impact, cumulative scholarship than isolated research efforts.
- Humanistic and Interdisciplinary Approach to Political Thoughtmethodology: humanistic_interdisciplinary_approachBy fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars and informed citizens across intellectual history, political theory, and philosophy, we advance political thought because humanistic analysis enables deeper ethical and historical understanding of political problems, countering reductionist or scientistic approaches.
- Psychoanalytic-Inspired Framework for Uncovering Repressed Political Structuresmethodology: psychoanalytic_analogy_in_political_analysisBy applying an analytical framework analogous to psychoanalysis, we uncover how repressed or archaic political forms persist within contemporary regimes because political systems, like individuals, may conceal foundational tensions that shape behavior beneath the surface.
- Reframing Economic Institutions as Sites of Political Contestationmethodology: political-theory-reframingBy highlighting works that reframe economic institutions as arenas of democratic engagement and political struggle, we expand the scope of political theory because it reveals how power, agency, and normative claims are embedded in economic structures.