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Jonathan Floyd

@jonathanfloyd.bsky.social

1.4K followers 290 following 290 posts

Professor of Political Theory working on nature/methods/purposes of political philosophy. Chair of 'Methods of Normative Political Theory' (ECPR). Co-Chair of 'Political Philosophy' (IPSA). Personal website: https://www.drjonathanfloyd.com

www.drjonathanfloyd.com

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · Feb 25

Well this article was a long time coming: link.springer.com/article/10.1... Can pol-philosophy be experimental? Can normative behaviourism become more pro-active and progressive? I certainly hope so! Many thanks to AliceBaderin/JanoschPrinz/SuneLaegaard & esp. ManonWestphal who aren't here...

Experimental Political Theory: Behavioural, Careful, Radical - Res Publica

On one level, the idea here is simple: organise people into small groups and see how they react to different ways of doing politics. On another, it is more challenging: evaluate different political pr...

link.springer.com

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 14h

...so maybe you're right this is a solution without a problem.

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 14h

Looking back at the article, I suppose it's notable that our subject doesn't have something like (overlooked?) lab 'technicians'. We worry more about how 2 reward teaching/research right now. With that being said, they have given out Nobel science prizes for big methods-innovations in the past...

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 15h

It's got my thinking running in multiple directions; really very stimulating! Also reminds me of the way in which many people in British cultural/political life have declined/handed back honours (& Uni degrees!) e.g. Sir/Dame/MB. Titles less significant than citizenship but renunciation interesting.

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 15h

This reminds me of your opposition to 'principles' (vs values), despite your being admirably principled about things! My feeling is your deep resistance is 2 the doctrinal use of methods/principles vs, say, those who are aware of them, aware of their conflicts/tradeoffs & in turn the need 4 judgment

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 15h

My guess is there's a worry, perhaps esp. in subjects unlike ours, that doing 'methods work' doesn't count as 'proper' work, in which case this would protect it, rather like the way the 'impact' agenda was meant to 'recognise' previously unrewarded (though now over-rewarded?) 'practice-focused' work

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 17h

Should research methods be a specific part of the 'REF'? A significant question for some of us: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r... @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social @adrianblau.bsky.social @kspiekermann.bsky.social @ipsa-rc31.bsky.social @jowolff.bsky.social @lisamherzog.bsky.social

‘REF needs dedicated section for research methods’ - Research Professional News

Hidden REF Festival: Conference hears plea to fill gap in Research Excellence Framework

www.researchprofessionalnews.com

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 19h

I like the idea of 'expressive exit'. Makes me think of a twist on normative behaviourism I often moot without yet delivering on. This kind of action matters though. It's committed, consequential, and reveals something important, so looking forward to digging into the paper at some point soon...

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 19h

This was a very nice write-up from Alexa Zellentin about last week's trip to Dublin! One week on and I'm still keeping up a number of email exchanges about methods that started as conversations on the day: www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan... @psaireland.bsky.social @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social

PSAI Workshop on Methods in Political Theory - UCD School of Politics and International Relations

www.ucd.ie

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

Also of special interest to @edmundhandby.bsky.social @nahshonp.bsky.social and others in/around @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social working on papers connected to this.

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

I like thinking about this @kspiekermann.bsky.social. Reminds me of what I do more crudely with ctrl-F. Suspect this kind of thing often better for volume/wood than depth/trees? So: big patterns across lots of readings rather than close/careful interpretation of just one?

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

I must admit that the one on the right does a fair bit of that whilst the one on the left watches. They also both have a habit of walking away bored when a mouse goes deep under some or other thing in the house that is impossible to move, at which point all the non-cats in the house rather despair.

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

It is abundantly clear to me 2day that my cats, unlike some of us, have no writing deadlines, teaching prep, inbox pile-up, housework, or childcare. They feel like sleeping and so they sleep. Later they will feel like eating/exploring and so will eat/explore. Just one fulfilled wish after another...

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

Great to see @stevenklein.bsky.social. Well done on getting to this point.

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 2d

I struggle to think or talk via anything other than 3-part alliterations these days, so when I think of populism I think either of its ugly front end, as part of a post-truth/polarisation/populism trio, or of its ugly rear end, as made up of short-termism, simplification, and a whole lot of shysters

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 3d

Very nice also to get the chance to chat to @rosscarroll.bsky.social @turnstone.bsky.social @jjjlacey.bsky.social and others not on Bluesky! Very nice to see you all, and many thanks for coming along despite the storm outside!

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 3d

Many thanks to the 50+ staff/students who came from across Dublin/Ireland 2 hear me talk about methods/methodology in political theory/philosophy last Friday (for over 4hrs!). Only possible thanks 2 support from @psaireland.bsky.social + my excellent hosts Peter Stone (TCD) & Alexa Zellentin (UCD)

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 4d

Richly deserved @sania-ismailee.bsky.social 👏👏👏

sania-ismailee.bsky.social @sania-ismailee.bsky.social · 4d

Happy to be one of the Best Paper Prize winners! Had an amazing time with methodologists @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social

Methods of Normative Political Theory - ECPR Standing Group @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social · 4d

Our Autumn newsletter is here! 🍁
Catch up on the @ecpr.bsky.social Thessaloniki conference highlights, meet the Best Paper Prize winner(s), and discover the new Onora O’Neill Book Prize in Political Theory, plus lots more!
Read now 👉 shorturl.at/pUXUe

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 4d

Just running numbers for my teaching today. I see the Tories 'promise' 2 remove 750k migrants if elected. I also see non-Tory party membership = circa 750k. So maybe they wouldn't start where u think? Plus I guess extradited critics automatically become migrants? p.s. Lab=310k/Reform=250k/Tory=123k

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 4d

Great work by our new newsletter team! Also delighted to see these (much deserved) prizes 🎉 Do join up with us on the @ecpr.bsky.social website (under MyEcpr) if you want to be part of our next round of events in 2026...

Methods of Normative Political Theory - ECPR Standing Group @ecpr-nptmethods.bsky.social · 4d

Newsletter #12, October 2025

On behalf of the Standing Group on Methods of Normative Political Theory, we are happy to announce that the quarterly newsletter of the Methods of Normative Political Theory appears four times a ye…

shorturl.at

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 8d

Only 20/200 seats taken on my Ryanair flight to Dublin, so carbon footprint now 10fold!? No doubt there's a good 'business case' 4 running those empty planes - perhaps because they charged most of us (on an empty plane!) 4 seat selection, priority boarding, & cabin bags. Took solace in the clouds...

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 8d

I imagine you now, in retirement, like Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, gazing up at those two bright suns in his sky, except in your case the suns are Chagall and Heine.

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 8d

In Dublin tomorrow to talk for 4 hours (!) on methods/methodology in pol-philosophy @tcddublin.bsky.social, hosted by Trinity+UCD+PSAI (2x2hrs w. food in between). Apparently booked up with 50 staff/students but let me know if keen to attend: dublinptworkshop.wordpress.com/autumn-2025-...

Autumn 2025 Programme

Sessions take place Fridays 14:00 – 14:50 in room F301, Newman Building, UCD Belfield. This programme is evolving as ideas some up. Feel free to propose papers to present as well as readings …

dublinptworkshop.wordpress.com

Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 11d

Sunrise over Bredon Hill from the train window. Means I'm nicely on time this morning, with no detour into Gloucester on this morning's route due to a station upgrade going on there. Small victories go a long way on a Monday morning.

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 18d

Just had a great start to our fortnightly pol-philosophy talk-and-bake sessions, with excellent @alixdietzel.bsky.social kicking us off talking about the right (& wrong) kinds of love in teaching. Packed room, lots of questions, and lots of love. @rebeccabuxton.bsky.social @wiglet1981.bsky.social

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Jonathan Floyd @jonathanfloyd.bsky.social · 18d

Teaching has decided to start again today. The weather has decided to get much colder. My train has decided to be very late. I was not consulted on any of these decisions.

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