Prof. Philippe Lagassé and Stephen Saideman receive 2026 CPSA Prize in Comparative Politics
Their book Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces, and Democractic Accountability was judged to be the best book published in the field of comparative politics in 2024-25
NPSIA is thrilled to share that professors Philippe Lagassé and Stephen Saideman have been awarded the 2026 Prize in Comparative Politics by the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) for their co‑authored book Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces and Democratic Accountability.
Their award‑winning book tackles a foundational question in civil–military relations: who among civilian leaders truly ensures democratic control of the armed forces? While traditional analyses focus on presidents, prime ministers, and defence ministers, Lagassé and Saideman argue that effective oversight cannot rest solely with the executive. Drawing on more than a dozen democratic case studies from around the world, they examine why legislatures often struggle to hold the military accountable — from limited access to information to political disincentives — and propose practical reforms to strengthen transparency, oversight, and public trust.
The CPSA Prize in Comparative Politics, awarded every two years, recognizes outstanding scholarly contributions that deepen our understanding of political institutions and governance. This honour highlights not only the impact of Lagassé and Saideman’s research, but also NPSIA’s leadership in the study of defence policy, civil–military relations, and democratic accountability.
We extend our warmest congratulations to both professors on this well‑deserved national recognition.