About the Journal

Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science (ISSN [online] 2414-6633) is an open access, peer-reviewed academic journal published by the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS). Founded in 2001, IAPSS Politikon has been providing a platform for students and early-career researchers to showcase their work. The journal is published biannually  (in May and November) and distributed online, ensuring free access to its content for readers worldwide. 

IAPSS Politikon is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of Political Science. The journal actively encourages submissions from scholars and students from underrepresented groups, diverse backgrounds, and the Global South, recognizing the importance of amplifying voices that have traditionally been marginalized in academia. By fostering an inclusive environment, IAPSS Politikon aims to contribute to the development of a more representative and equitable field of Political Science.

The journal also welcomes critical perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches that challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries of the discipline. By providing a space for innovative and thought-provoking research, IAPSS Politikon seeks to stimulate meaningful discussions and contribute to the advancement of Political Science.

As an open access journal, IAPSS Politikon ensures that all published articles are freely available to readers worldwide, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and fostering collaboration among scholars and students in the field of Political Science. The journal does not charge any fees for submission, processing, or publication of articles, and provides free copy-editing services to ensure the highest quality of published work. This commitment to accessibility and support for authors aims to reduce barriers and encourage participation from researchers across the globe.

In addition to regular submissions, IAPSS Politikon welcomes proposals for special issues that address timely and significant topics in different subfields of Political Science. Prospective guest editors are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief at politikonjournal@iapss.org for more information.

For individual book reviews, interested authors should contact the Book Review section Editor at politikon.bookeditor@iapss.org.

Current Issue

Vol. 59 No. 1 (2025): The Rise of Anti-gender and Anti-feminist Discourses in International Politics
					View Vol. 59 No. 1 (2025): The Rise of Anti-gender and Anti-feminist Discourses in International Politics

This special issue of Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science examines the complex interplay between rising anti-gender movements and feminist resistance strategies across diverse global contexts. Through six contributions, it explores how opposition to gender equality has emerged as a powerful unifying force for conservative actors while simultaneously creating new divisions within established feminist spaces.

The research reveals several critical developments in contemporary gender politics. Anti-gender movements have evolved significantly, shifting their focus from opposing same-sex marriage to targeting transgender rights, often deploying sophisticated digital strategies and "child protection" narratives. These movements demonstrate remarkable adaptability in building coalitions across religious, political, and ideological lines. Their influence runs deeper than their immediate targets, reaching into feminist spaces themselves. Even established feminist organizations have begun adopting gender-critical positions, creating internal rifts that threaten collective solidarity. This fragmentation is particularly visible in how feminist movements respond to opposition—while some maintain strong unified fronts, others struggle with competition for resources and institutional pressures, leading some to retreat from public advocacy altogether.

Through a rich mix of methods—from ethnographic studies of NGOs and feminist media to digital discourse analysis of social media platforms—these contributions examine how anti-gender movements and feminist responses operate across different cultural and political contexts. The research particularly highlights the crucial role of online spaces in shaping contemporary gender politics, serving both as tools for anti-gender mobilization and sites of feminist resistance.

How can movements foster solidarity while making space for internal differences? What does meaningful visibility look like in increasingly hostile environments? And as anti-gender campaigns grow more sophisticated, what strategies might prove most effective in building sustained resistance? These are not just tactical questions but fundamental ones that touch on the very nature of feminist organizing in a changing world.

Published: 2025-01-29

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