Submission Guidelines

A student-led publication of Georgetown University’s M.A. Program in Democracy and Governance

Exploring democracy, governance, politics, rights, and society in the words of students.

Quick facts: 800–2,000 words depending on the format · Word document · numbered references · send to democracyandsocietyjournal@georgetown.edu.

Democracy & Society is a student-led publication exploring democracy, governance, politics, rights, and society. We provide a space for students, practitioners, professors, and other contributors to share research, ideas, and perspectives on the political and social issues shaping our world.

The Journal welcomes contributors from across Georgetown and from different academic backgrounds. You do not need to be a published writer or a political science student to contribute. If you have an interesting question, argument, research project, or perspective, we want to hear from you.

We are interested in writing that encourages readers to think critically about democracy and society. This can take many forms, including:

• Research & Analysis — Research-based pieces that examine a political or social question.
• Policy & Governance — Analysis of policies, institutions, elections, or governance challenges.
• Commentary — Your perspective on a current political or social issue, supported by evidence and thoughtful analysis.
• Comparative Pieces — Exploring how different countries, governments, or societies approach a particular issue.
• Reviews — Reflections on books, reports, films, or other work related to democracy and governance.

Your submission does not have to answer a huge question or solve a political problem. We are interested in pieces that ask good questions, make a clear argument, and give readers something to think about.

A strong article usually starts with a clear question or idea. Before submitting, ask yourself:

• What am I trying to say? Your reader should be able to understand your main argument or takeaway.
• Why does it matter? Explain why your topic is relevant and what it tells us about democracy, governance, or society.
• What supports my argument? Use research, examples, data, or other reliable evidence to develop your ideas.
• Who is my audience? Write for fellow students who may be interested in your topic but may not be experts in it.

Your submission can come from a class paper, research project, internship, independent research, or an idea you have been thinking about. We encourage students to adapt existing academic work into writing that is engaging and accessible to a wider audience.

The Journal values clear, engaging writing over complicated academic language. Try to:

• Get to your main point early.
• Keep sentences and paragraphs focused.
• Explain unfamiliar terms or concepts.
• Use evidence without allowing it to overwhelm your argument.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Write in a way that invites someone to keep reading.

You do not need to sound overly academic to write a serious piece. Good writing should make complex ideas easier to understand, not harder.

We also encourage students to bring their own voice to their writing. A thoughtful, well-supported perspective is just as valuable as a traditional research paper.

Good arguments should be supported by good evidence. Depending on your topic, useful sources may include academic research, books, government publications, official data, reputable journalism, policy reports, and research from established organizations. Try to use sources that are reliable, relevant to your topic, and help support the points you are making.

When using information that comes from another source:

• Give credit to the original author or organization.
• Cite statistics, data, and direct quotations.
• Check that your sources are reliable.
• Make sure quotations accurately reflect the original source.
• Avoid presenting someone else’s ideas as your own.

How to cite: Use a number in the text, in the order sources first appear, and list the full references at the end of the article under a “References” heading.

• In-text: place the number in brackets or as a superscript right after the claim it supports — for example, “Voter turnout rose by 12% [1].” or “…rose by 12%.¹”
• Reuse the same number every time you cite that source again.
• Under References, list each source in numerical order with full details (author, title, publication, year, and link if available).

The Journal welcomes different political perspectives and encourages students to engage with ideas they may not agree with. You are encouraged to:

• Make a clear argument.
• Support important claims with evidence.
• Acknowledge relevant perspectives or counterarguments.
• Critique ideas, policies, and institutions rather than individuals.
• Keep disagreements respectful and constructive.

You do not have to agree with other contributors — that is part of the conversation. Publication does not mean that the Journal or its editors endorse an author’s views.

Students are responsible for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their submissions.

If you use generative AI tools for brainstorming, editing, or other assistance, please follow applicable Georgetown University policies and any disclosure requirements established by the Journal.

AI should not be used to create or make up sources, quotations, statistics, citations, or research. Please make sure that all information in your submission is accurate and properly sourced. Plagiarism, fabricated information, or presenting someone else’s work as your own will not be accepted.

We welcome different types of student writing. The following ranges can be used as a guide:

Submission	Suggested length
Commentary / Opinion	800–1,200 words
Analysis / Blog Article	1,000–1,500 words
Research / Policy Piece	1,500–2,000 words
Review	800–1,200 words

These are guidelines, not strict requirements. If your argument needs more or less space, we encourage you to discuss it with the editorial team.

Please submit your work as a Word document, with a clear title and your name, program, and year of study.

1. Submit — Send your piece to democracyandsocietyjournal@georgetown.edu.
2. Editorial Review — An editor will read your work and consider its relevance, argument, evidence, and overall presentation.
3. Feedback & Revision — If your piece is selected for further consideration, an editor may work with you on revisions: strengthening your argument, improving clarity, adding evidence, or restructuring sections.
4. Final Review — Your editor will work with you to make sure the piece is ready for publication.
5. Publish — Once finalized, your article will be published by Democracy & Society.

Our editorial process is meant to be collaborative rather than intimidating. You do not need to submit a perfect article — we want to help students develop their ideas and become stronger writers.

Use this quick checklist:

• ☐ Do I have a clear idea or argument?
• ☐ Have I explained why my topic matters?
• ☐ Have I supported important claims with evidence?
• ☐ Have I properly credited my sources?
• ☐ Is the writing clear and accessible?
• ☐ Have I checked my facts, names, dates, and statistics?
• ☐ Have I proofread my work?
• ☐ Does this piece give the reader something interesting to think about?

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. If you have an idea but are unsure how to turn it into an article, talk to the editorial team at democracyandsocietyjournal@georgetown.edu. We are happy to discuss potential topics, help you develop an argument, or point you toward resources.

Democracy & Society is your platform. Bring us your questions, your research, your perspectives, and your curiosity.