Call for Contributions | Dancing with dictators: Political leadership and the authoritarian trend

2026-03-13

Dancing with Dictators: Political leadership and the authoritarian trend

Submission Deadline: 15 April 2026

Section: Conversations

Issue Theme: Political leadership

The Trump administration’s shift in diplomatic style transformed global political leadership. Both democratic and authoritarian states are being shaken, having experienced a new orientation of the US administration in the first year of the current American presidency. Democratic leaders allied with the US, in particular, face mounting pressures amid US territorial claims toward Denmark and a renewed diplomatic rapprochement with Russia in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Washington’s assertive policies toward authoritarian regimes—ranging from military operations in Iran to direct intervention in Venezuela, including the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro and subsequent political restructuring—have further reshaped the international diplomatic landscape.

This call for contributions focuses on the variation in world leaders’ responses to this transformation in American diplomatic attitudes and practices. We ask how political leadership mediates engagement with an increasingly transactional and authoritarian-leaning US foreign policy:

Key questions include:

  • Do certain leadership attributes—such as personality traits, strategic visions, or domestic political constraints—facilitate authoritarian partnerships that other leaders resist?
  • How do leaders navigate the tension between alliance expectations with the United States and the maintenance of democratic norms?
  • What institutional or ideological factors distinguish leaders who emulate the American model from those who actively oppose it?

Overall, this edition of the Conversations section seeks to examine political leadership as the key variable mediating changes in US diplomatic practice. We encourage submissions that analyse how individual leaders’ decisions, political visions, and leadership styles influence the emergence of new—and sometimes unexpected—international partnerships in a rapidly changing diplomatic landscape.

Submission Guidelines
  • Format: We welcome original essays, analytical reflections, leadership case studies, and comparative reviews. Submissions from early-career scholars and first-time contributors are especially encouraged.
  • Length: 500–1,000 words (excluding references). Longer analytical pieces may be considered—please feel free to contact the editor to discuss your idea.
  • Formatting: Authors are encouraged to consult the journal’s website for detailed referencing and formatting guidelines prior to submission.

Submission Details:

  • Email subject line: Please use "Dancing with Dictators - Submission."
  • File format: Attach your essay or reflection as a Word document (.doc or .docx).
  • Abstract: Include a brief 2-3 sentence abstract summarizing the core argument or contribution of your piece.
  • Author bio: Please provide a short biographical note (50-75 words).
  • Analytical focus: Submissions should place political leadership at the center of the analysis.

Deadline: 15 April 2026

Notification of Acceptance: 25 April 2026

Please send submissions to Marianna Prysiazhniuk, Editor of the Conversations Section, at politikon.conversations@iapss.org.