Call For Papers

From the Executive Articles Editor of the West Virginia Law Review:

The West Virginia Law Review seeks papers on the topic of non-violence as a means of social change and pathway to democracy for former dictatorships or totalitarian regimes for its special issue, Non-Violence and the Road to Democracy.




Recently, Egypt joined the ranks of countries whose political landscapes are forever changed through non-violent protest. Today, the spirit of revolution spreads across the Middle East—with varying results. This spark and catching flame calls the West Virginia Law Review to contemplate the role of law in the occurrence of non-violence as means of social change and the law’s role in transitioning societies from non-violent revolution to democracy. This contemplation extends to topics including but not limited to:



• the development and treatment of non-violent resistance groups in the context of totalitarian or oppressive regimes;

• teachers of non-violence as agents of the law working against lawless regimes;

• models for effective transitions and peaceful revolution to democracy, including the role of international law and institutions in such transitions;

• the sources of non-violent revolutions, for example, Gandhi’s teachings;

• non-violent aspects of transitions to democracy in specific countries and regions, such as Egypt, India, Northern Ireland, Russia, Serbia (i.e. Otpor!), South Africa, and Spain; and

• the intersection of non-violent protest, technology (including social networks) and the “right to information.”



The West Virginia Law Review will consider papers from a variety of disciplines, including history, law, philosophy, and political science. Papers may stray from the traditional article format to adequately address the call above. To be considered for this call for papers, please submit an abstract of no more than 1,500 words, a current curriculum vitae, and cover letter to wvlrev@mail.wvu.edu or mailed to the address above. The deadline for these abstracts is April 15, 2011.



Most articles should be 10,000 to 20,000 words, but shorter works will be considered where appropriate. Selected authors will submit their first drafts to the West Virginia Law Review by July 15, 2011. Please contact Lara Omps, Senior Managing Editor, with questions at laraomps@gmail.com. We look forward to reading your submissions.