Welcome to the
Institute for the Study of States of Exception (ISSE)

ISSE was founded in response to a profound and troubling global trend: the increasingly common exploitation and abuse of executive emergency powers, known collectively as states of exception when invoked. Across the world, select government leaders use real or manufactured crises deliberately as opportunities to expand their authority, suppress dissent, restrict civil liberties, and evade accountability. Other world leaders are watching closely, taking note of how to effectively undermine the rule of law and erode democratic norms in their favor.  

“Emergency powers are the constitutional recognition of the political fact that emergencies will happen, and ordingary legal procedures will be insufficient to address them.”

— Nomi Claire Lazar (States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies, 2009)

The ISSE mission is clear

We serve as a global hub for scholarship and dialogue focused on the misuse and abuse of states of exception. We provide a platform for interdisciplinary research, analysis, and news, while also cultivating a connected community of scholars, policy practitioners, and concerned citizens worldwide.

ISSE deeply respects the extensive body of scholarship that already exists on states of exception, in the fields of political science and public policy, legal and constitutional studies, history, and philosophy, and other related fields. Yet, despite decades of insight, there remains a need for a centralized global resource dedicated to connecting us all together, raising awareness on examples of these abuses both contemporary and historical, and monitoring global guardrails associated with this critical issue. ISSE fills that gap.

Why ISSE matters

History has shown—time and again—the dangers of unchecked executive power, particularly during times of crisis. Although these risks are seemingly well understood, societies today continue to remain vulnerable to repeating past mistakes. That’s why it’s vital to examine the mechanisms, implications, and consequences of exploited states of exception, past and present. Only through understanding and vigilance can we curb abuses of executive power, protect democratic principles and governance, and support the rule of law. 

ISSE brings together real-world discussion with rigorous scholarship, offering an intersection point where academic insight meets policy and public discourse. Our framework is defined by four core principles: 

  • Public engagement; 

  • Global collaboration; 

  • Scholarly excellence; and an 

  • Archival perspective. 

Join ISSE

Whether you are a scholar, student, policy practitioner, or concerned citizen, your voice matters and the ISSE community has a place for you. We invite you to learn about ongoing global events, explore our book reviews of the most important historical and contemporary works in the field, and discover additional resources as you learn more about this topic and engage with the ISSE community. As we grow and expand our activities to include a Substack, a podcast series, conferences, and a peer-reviewed journal, we want to bring together voices and experiences from around the world to give this critical topic the attention it deserves. Explore our work, contribute to the conversation, and help us build a more informed, connected, and resilient global community–one prepared to recognize and respond to misuse and abuse of states of exception, to confront autocracy, and to defend democratic values.

Welcome to the Institute for the Study of States of Exception (ISSE)—where informed dialogue leads to an empowered world. 

Disclaimer and statement of non-partisanship:

The Institute for the Study of States of Exception (ISSE) is committed to scholarly neutrality, nonpartisanship, and adherence to all applicable federal requirements governing nonprofit entities, specifically Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The content on our website—including but not limited to original materials, podcast interviews, scholarly articles, book reviews, essays, commentaries, and links to existing external resources—is intended exclusively for educational, informational, and research purposes.

ISSE explicitly disclaims any affiliation, endorsement, or political stance regarding the viewpoints expressed by contributors or in externally linked resources. Rather, ISSE is committed to fostering an open, intellectually rigorous, and diverse scholarly environment and broader community.

Our strict neutrality means we do not engage in political advocacy, endorse or oppose any candidates, parties, or specific legislation. Our focus remains on facilitating objective analysis, critical scholarship, and informed public engagement regarding the misuse and abuse of states of exception globally.