Call for Papers – Thematic Issue: Geopolitics and International Security in the 21st Century

2025-03-13

Call for Papers – Thematic Issue: Geopolitics and International Security in the 21st Century

The Revista Jurídica Portucalense is indexed in various academic platforms, including Scopus and Web of Science, in the following areas: Social Sciences, Law, Political Science and International Relations, Sociology and Political Science. In this context, we are pleased to announce a special issue dedicated to Political Science and International Relations, inviting scholars to contribute with original research on the pressing global challenges of the 21st century.

Context

The 21st century has brought profound transformations and emerging challenges to the global order. The rise of "egopolitics" – an era of leadership shaped by personalism and self-interest – is redefining international relations. In this new paradigm, leaders prioritise individual power and influence over collective diplomacy, undermining multilateral institutions and reshaping traditional alliances. Simultaneously, a growing number of international conflicts have transitioned into "ceasefires without peace" – frozen conflicts where temporary solutions replace lasting peace agreements, leaving regions in a state of perpetual instability.

Additionally, the global economy is witnessing the rise of protectionism, with intensified trade wars and economic nationalism challenging the principles of free trade and global cooperation. The crisis of international institutions further exacerbates global uncertainty, as multilateral organisations (e.g., the UN, WTO, and EU) face growing criticism, institutional deadlock, and declining effectiveness. Meanwhile, a new era of militarisation is unfolding, characterised by increased military spending, the modernisation of arsenals, and renewed nuclear threats – all exacerbated by the weakening of arms control agreements.

In light of these developments, the thematic issue "Geopolitics and International Security in the 21st Century" aims to bring together scholarly contributions that explore these contemporary trends. We invite researchers in International Relations, Political Science, and related fields to submit original academic articles that critically examine these issues, either through theoretical approaches, case studies, or comparative perspectives.

Suggested Topics

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Egopolitics and the Rise of Personalist Leadership in Global Affairs – the impact of individualised leadership, nationalism, and populism on international relations.
  • Ceasefires without Peace: Frozen Conflicts and New Challenges to International Security – case studies of prolonged ceasefires, unresolved territorial disputes, and their global ramifications.
  • The New Trade War and the Rise of Protectionism – analyses of trade conflicts between major powers, economic nationalism, and their consequences for global stability.
  • The Crisis of Global Institutions and the Future of International Governance – the erosion of multilateralism, institutional paralysis, and proposals for institutional reform.
  • Global Militarisation and the Renewed Nuclear Threat – discussions on the contemporary arms race, nuclear proliferation, and the implications for peace and security.

We encourage interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative approaches to these issues.

Submission Guidelines
  • Language: English, Portuguese, French, Spanish (submissions in any other language will not be considered).
  • Type of submissions: Only academic articles based on original research will be accepted.
  • Length: Manuscripts must not exceed 20 pages, including references, tables, and appendices. Articles exceeding this limit will not be considered.
Authorship
  • Papers must be properly identified by the author's full name, title, and ORCID ID.
  • The same author cannot submit more than one original paper per issue.
  • Authors must submit two copies of their paper: one fully identified and another anonymised (without author names, affiliations, or any identifying information).
Formatting
  • File format: Word document (.doc or .docx).
  • Page size: A4 (21 cm x 29.7 cm), with top and left margins of 3 cm and right and bottom margins of 2 cm.
  • Font: Arial, size 12.
  • Line spacing: 1.5; paragraphs justified with first lines indented by 1 cm.
Structure
  • Abstract (max. 200 words) in English.
  • Keywords (max. 7), separated by semicolons.
  • Sections: Introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and discussion, conclusions, and references.
  • Headings: Section headings must be in bold and left-aligned.
  • Footnotes: Should be used only when strictly necessary.
  • High-resolution images, tables, and graphs must be appropriately labelled and cited.
References

References must follow the ISO 690:2010 standard for bibliographic and documentary sources. The reference list must be alphabetised and presented in chronological order. All cited works must be included in the reference list, and additional references may be added at the end.

Examples:

  • Books: SURNAME, Name. Title. Edition. Place: Publisher, Date. ISBN.
  • Journal Articles: SURNAME, Name. Title. Journal Name. Volume (Issue), pages, Date. ISSN.
  • Chapters in Edited Volumes: SURNAME, Name. Title of Chapter. In: SURNAME, Name (Ed.), Book Title. Place: Publisher, Date, pages. ISBN.
  • Electronic Sources: SURNAME, Name. Title [online]. Available from: URL [Accessed: Date].
Submission Deadline
  • 30 August 2025 – The final deadline for manuscript submission.
  • Authors will be notified of the editorial decision by 30 November 2025.
  • The thematic issue is scheduled for publication in late 2025.
Submission and Contact Information

Manuscripts must be submitted via the Revista Jurídica Portucalense submission platform. Please follow the instructions provided on the journal's website for submission guidelines and document formatting.

For further inquiries regarding the thematic issue or the submission process, please contact us at fcmoreira@upt.pt.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and fostering a rich academic discussion on geopolitics and international security in the 21st century.