Overview:
The purpose of this group is to provide a safe, supportive, and diverse space for political theorists and philosophers based in the Tokyo area working in English. Currently we are meeting roughly once a month to share our own works in progress or discuss readings related to political theory (broadly construed) that are of mutual interest.
Organizers:
Clara Brigitta Riegler (Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Political Science, Waseda University)
Kaito Namai (Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Political Science, Waseda University)
Ken Oshitani (Assistant Professor, School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University)
How to Join:
If you are interested in joining us, send a message to:
Please include your name, affiliation (if any), and a short description of your research interests.
Past Readings:
March, Andrew F. (2009). “What Is Comparative Political Theory?” The Review of Politics 71 (4):531-65.
Khader, Serene J. (2024). How is Feminist Philosophy Nonideal Theory? Social Theory and Practice 50 (4):619-642.
Walters, Jordan (2025). Nonideal Theory as Ideology. Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy 30 (1):74-97.
Mills, Charles W. (2005). “Ideal Theory” as Ideology. Hypatia 20 (3):165-184.
Leader Maynard, Jonathan, and Alex Worsnip. (2018). Is There a Distinctively Political Normativity? Ethics 128: 756-787.
Floyd, J. (2009). Is Political Philosophy Too Ahistorical? Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 12(4), 513–533.
Kishner A.S., Spinner-Halev, J. (2025). Why Political Philosophy Should Be Robust. American Political Science Review 118(4):1658-1670.
Stewart, Andrew (2024). Social Worlds and the Roles of Political Philosophy. Political Theory 52 (2):210-235.
Past Workshops/Events:
August 17th, 2026
Kaito Namai (Waseda University)
"Bringing Structure Back In: Toward a Rigorous Conception of Structural Injustice"
June 17th, 2026
Heng Ying (University of Hong Kong)
"Moral Progress and Self-Limiting Moral Thinking"