Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share a *Call for Proposals* for a special issue of *Politikon <https://politikon.iapss.org/>*, the journal of the *International Association of Political Science Students (IAPSS)*: ------------------------------ *Call for Proposals: “Strange Political Bedfellows”* *Guest Editors:* Yixuan Shi <https://www.tax.mpg.de/en/public_economics/public_economics_people/yixuan_shi> and Afiq bin Oslan <https://sites.google.com/view/afiqbinoslan> (Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance <https://www.tax.mpg.de/en/>) Please share this call widely across your networks! ------------------------------ *Theme Overview* Politics often brings together unlikely partners. The enemy of my enemy is my friend—and political compromise sometimes unites even long-standing rivals. Under what conditions do adversaries set aside their differences? What determines whether an “unlikely partnership” succeeds or collapses? This special issue seeks contributions examining how and why political rivals with little common ground cooperate, in both domestic and international contexts. We welcome work from all methodological approaches, regions, and levels of analysis. We also welcome comparative studies contrasting successful and failed partnerships, or exploring the conditions under which collaboration among rivals emerges, endures, or breaks down. For more details: https://politikon.iapss.org/index.php/politikon/announcement/view/23 For all queries, please contact: deputy.politikon@iapss.org ------------------------------ *Eligibility and Submission Guidelines* Submissions from scholars at all career stages are welcome. As a student journal, *Politikon* particularly encourages submissions from *students broadly defined*—including advanced undergraduates, recent graduates, Master’s students, and early PhD candidates. Please submit: - An *extended abstract (minimum 500 words)* or a more developed *draft manuscript* (preferred). - Optional: brief *CV* and/or *cover letter*. *Submission deadline:* 19 December 2025 (earlier submissions are encouraged) *Email to:* deputy.politikon@iapss.org *Subject line:* *Submission for Strange Political Bedfellows* *Format:* PDF preferred ------------------------------ *Workshop in Berlin (8–9 April 2026)* Successful applicants may be invited to an in-person workshop at the Harnack-Haus, Berlin <https://www.harnackhaus-berlin.mpg.de/en>, hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance <https://www.tax.mpg.de/en/>. Accommodation and major travel expenses (flights and long-distance trains) will be covered, in accordance with German federal regulations. The workshop aims to help polish manuscripts before peer review and will proceed if sufficient high-quality submissions are received. *Notifications of acceptance:* mid-January 2026 (rolling early acceptances possible). ------------------------------ We look forward to receiving your proposals and to an engaging discussion on the strange alliances that shape political life. Best wishes, The *Politikon* Editorial Team Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science International Association of Political Science Students (IAPSS)