





































COMMONWEALTH: A Journal of Political Science

Founded by the Pennsylvania Political Science Association (PPSA) in 
1987, COMMONWEALTH: A Journal of Political Science is a peer-reviewed 
journal that publishes original research in all subfields of political science 
along with interdisciplinary articles. From 2004 to 2010, the now defunct 
Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) of the Pennsylvania House 
of Representatives jointly published the journal. COMMONWEALTH’s 
editorial staff, Editorial Review Board, and referees maintain the highest 
standards of peer review and publication.

Open to a variety of approaches and methodologies, COMMONWEALTH 
seeks manuscripts that are based on theoretical perspectives (empirical 
or normative) as well as those that employ an historical approach. An 
important part of the journal’s mission is to encourage research on topics 
of Pennsylvania and regional importance (northeastern and mid-Atlantic 
United States). Manuscripts on state and local government, politics, and 
policy are especially desired. Moreover, book reviews are generally limited 
to essays on recently published works with a Pennsylvania or regional 
focus. In addition to its general issue, COMMONWEALTH also solicits 
manuscripts for various policy-options issues devoted exclusively to 
dispassionate academic discourse on state and regional public policy issues 
and options.

Copies of COMMONWEALTH are sent to all PPSA members—
individual, departmental, and institutional. For PPSA membership rates, 
see the separate announcements in this issue. Mailing to PPSA members is 
generously assisted by the School of Pubic Affairs of Penn State–Harrisburg.

The Pennsylvania Political Science Association

Founded in 1939, the Pennsylvania Political Science Association 
(PPSA) is the nation’s oldest state political science association. Its mission 
has always been to promote scholarship, research, and the exchange of ideas 
within the Pennsylvania community of political scientists. PPSA draws its 
membership principally from the political science and public administration 
faculties of Pennsylvania’s public and private colleges and universities 
but also includes government professionals and faculty members from 
surrounding states. PPSA’s annual conference includes dozens of panelists 
covering a wide variety of subject areas. While university faculty compose 
the vast majority of participants, legislators, legislative staff, executive 
officials, and undergraduates also have been participants.



Guidelines for Submitting Manuscripts: Regular Issues

Manuscripts from all fields of political science are welcome, especially 
those on Pennsylvania or regional research (northeastern or mid-Atlantic United 
States) in the areas of state and local government, politics, or public policy. 
State and regional policy research may originate from any relevant academic 
discipline. Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format. The 
preferred length is 15–30 double-spaced pages, including notes, references, 
tables, and appendices. Format should follow the American Political Science 
Association’s Style Manual for Political Science. For guidance, authors should 
consult previous issues of COMMONWEALTH, the American Political Science 
Review, or the editor. Tables should be created with the MS-WORD tools, not 
created manually, and they should be placed in the body of the manuscript, 
not at the end. Content notes should be used sparingly, and they should be 
contained in endnotes rather than footnotes. Appendices should be placed after 
the content notes. A list of references should be placed last. The author’s name 
and affiliation should appear only on a separate cover page. An abstract of no 
more than 150 words should accompany the manuscript. Manuscripts should be 
submitted as e-mail attachments (no paper copies) to:

Dr. Gerard J. Fitzpatrick Telephone: (610) 409-3004
Department of Politics E-mail: gfitzpatrick@ursinus.edu
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA 19426

Guidelines for Submitting Manuscripts: Special Policy Issues

Generally, the request for manuscripts that is released for each special 
policy issue of COMMONWEALTH provides guidelines for that issue. 
Inquiries concerning active requests for manuscripts as well as proposals 
for special policy issue topics may be submitted to:

Dr. Michael R. King Telephone: (610) 929-9413
3600 Hilltop Avenue E-mail: mrk@psu.edu
Reading, PA 19605

Guidelines for Submitting Book Reviews

COMMONWEALTH will consider proposals for reviews of texts currently 
in print in any subfield of political science or political history. Those concerning 
Pennsylvania or the mid-Atlantic and northeast region are especially favored. 
Reviews should not be undertaken until the book review editor has accepted a 
proposal. Submit proposals and brief curriculum vitae to:

Dr. Tomas J. Baldino Telephone: (570) 408-4474
Department of Political Science E-mail: tbaldin@wilkes.edu
Wilkes College
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766



PENNSYLVANIA POLITICAL 
SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

DEPARTMENTAL MEMBERSHIP FORM

For a reasonable charge, on a single form, an entire department may join 
the PPSA. PPSA membership provides each member of a department listed 
on the application form the full benefits received by individual members. 
These include:

• personal copies of COMMONWEALTH
• the Pennsylvania Political Scientist, the expanded PPSA Newsletter.
• advance “Call for Papers” to the annual meeting of the PPSA.

The departmental membership fee is based on the type of degree 
granted in political science by the member’s institution and by the term of 
membership.
 1 Year 3 Years

* Doctoral degree institutions $100 $200
* Masters degree institutions $75 $150
* Baccalaureate degree institutions $50 $50
* Associate degree institutions $25 $25

To enroll prior to the annual meeting, mail by April 1 to:

Dr. George Hale
PPSA Treasurer
Department of Political Science
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 730
Kutztown, PA 19530

CHAIRPERSON’S NAME  _____________________________________

ADDRESS  __________________________________________________ 

 __________________________________________________ 

 __________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP ____________________________________________

Check enclosed for the sum of $ _______________________ .

Please list alphabetically, on departmental (or university) stationery, 
the current faculty members in the department who are to receive PPSA 
membership along with their academic rank. Libraries desiring copies of 
COMMONWEALTH do not need a subscription or PPSA membership. 
Contact the managing editor for more information.



PENNSYLVANIA POLITICAL 
SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM

To Individual Members: when joining the Pennsylvania Political 
Science Association please remember that membership includes a one-
year subscription to COMMONWEALTH: A Journal of Political Science, 
announcements of the annual meetings, and calls for papers.

The current issue of COMMONWEALTH is distributed at the Spring 
meeting of the PPSA. Other issues, if published, are mailed to members. 
Individuals unable to attend the annual meeting in any given year but 
wishing to maintain an individual membership should complete and mail 
the form below.

Note: If an individual’s department holds a departmental membership, 
then the individual simultaneously becomes a member and need not 
personally enroll or pay additional dues to receive the benefits of 
membership. In addition, as long as a department maintains its departmental 
membership, it is not necessary for the members of that department to 
renew their individual memberships each year. If your department has not 
yet joined the PPSA, the PPSA encourages you to share the Departmental 
Membership Form in this issue with your chairperson.

Annual Membership Rates:
• Individuals:  $10
• Students:  $5
(add $2 for postage to foreign countries)

Mail to:  Dr. George Hale 
PPSA Treasurer 
Department of Political Science 
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 
P.O. Box 730 
Kutztown, PA 19530

NAME  ____________________________________________________

AFFILIATION  ______________________________________________

ADDRESS  _________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP  ___________________________________________

Check enclosed in the sum of $  _________________.




