The article offers a novel typology of critical junctures, outlining four pathways that may emerge during such episodes: path-breaking change, continuity, and two forms of conditioned transformation (see the table below). We illustrate these in the post-WW1 juncture.

Comments welcome!

We argue that explaining episodes of change requires attention to antecedents, the presence of permissive conditions, and the mechanisms that either lead to or prevent the establishment of a new status quo.

We note that IR's use of critical junctures often differs from that in neighboring fields. IR scholars’ use of the concept more often pertains to situations in which comparison is difficult; relatedly, IR tends to focus more on within-juncture dynamics than on identifying institutional legacies.

Yes, I've worked in RG59 a good bit. This could be a disaster, or it could be pre-registration like at most Latin American foreign ministry archives. Given the current direction of policy, I fear the former... but also don't want panic if it's more of an admin change. Thanks for flagging it.

Oh, wow. Any idea what this means in practice? Like, submit a form in advance or only federal employees on government business?

Thank you!

Thanks, Jan!