Sophie Cardin scoops top APSA award for paper on history of Yiddish political thought

DPIR DPhil Politics student Sophie Cardin has been awarded the American Political Science Association’s (APSA) Foundations of Political Theory Section Best Paper Award for her paper ‘Utopia and the History of Yiddish Political Thought.’

The award is given for the best paper presented on a foundations panel at the previous year’s APSA Annual Meeting.

In the paper, Sophie uses Kalman Zingman’s 1918 Yiddish novel Edenia, which imagines an ideal future society, to explore three important ideas in Yiddish political thought: Yiddishism, Autonomism, and Doikayt. 

By showing what these ideas might look like in everyday life, the novel helps bring them to life for modern readers. It also sheds light on a rich tradition of Yiddish political thinking that has largely been overlooked and forgotten.

Sophie’s winning paper is part of a broader project on Yiddish utopias and utopianism.

Commenting on the award, Sophie said: “The award is an encouraging recognition of my work. It attests to the continuing relevance of Yiddish political thought as a resource for imagining alternative forms of social organisation that embrace, cultural particularity and that strive to accommodate our complex and overlapping commitments to different communities. 

“Utopia is having a moment in political theory, and I’m glad I can contribute to it. I am very grateful that so many people have taken the time to make this paper better by commenting on drafts, inviting me to workshops, and sharing their insights at conferences. 

“Special thanks are due to my supervisor, David Leopold, who encouraged me to study utopia in the first place.”

Sophie’s supervisor David Leopold – Associate Professor of Political Theory – said: “It is brilliant to see the quality and interest of Sophie’s work receiving public recognition. 

“I am delighted that she has won this significant APSA award for her paper uncovering the continuing importance of both Yiddish political thought and utopia.”

Sophie will receive the award at a ceremony during APSA’s Annual Meeting in Boston in September.