Political Theory

The Political Theory subfield at the University of British Columbia offers a rich and diverse intellectual environment that pushes the boundaries of traditional political thought.

Our faculty members are at the forefront of critical inquiries into democratic theory, race, gender, and disability, as well as the historical and contemporary challenges posed by colonialism and imperialism. This vibrant academic community is united by a commitment to exploring the intersections of identity, power, and justice within political systems, both past and present.

Our research spans a wide array of critical themes, including the foundational issues of democracy and justice, the complexities of sovereignty and land, and the global and comparative dimensions of political thought. Faculty expertise ranges from deep analyses of historical political theory to cutting-edge explorations of contemporary issues such as the impact of race and gender on political practices and the legacies of colonialism in modern democratic states. Together, we challenge conventional understandings and strive to develop new frameworks for more inclusive and equitable political systems.

People

Faculty

• Afsoun Afsahi works in the area of democratic theory.
• Barbara Arneil works in the areas of identity politics and the history of political thought.
• Bruce Baum works in modern and contemporary political theory.
• Glen Coulthard works in the areas of contemporary political theory, Indigenous thought and politics, and radical social and political thought.
• Anna Jurkevics investigates themes related to territory, land, and migration.
• Samuel LaSelva works in political theory, legal philosophy, and constitutional thought.
• Nazmul Sultan researches the history of political thought, empire and anticolonial thought, popular sovereignty, and ideas of the global.

Research Areas

Our Political Theory faculty conduct research in a wide variety of areas.

Research Clusters

Meet Our Faculty