Loyola University Chicago Water Tower Campus -- 111 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611, Thursday June 04–Saturday June 06 2026
The 250th anniversary of American independence offers a moment to reflect on how the states have shaped—and been shaped by—two and a half centuries of democratic development. We invite paper submissions that examine where we have been and where we are now in the study and practice of state politics, including work on institutions, representation, policy innovation, federal–state relations, political behavior, and the evolving challenges facing state governments. By looking backward to assess enduring legacies and forward to envision new paths, this conference aims to foster a scholarly dialogue about the role of the states in sustaining and advancing American democracy for the next 250 years.
