1. Elite Political Action and the Formation of the First American Party System: The Case of New York • Benjamin Rohr, University of Mannheim; Marissa Combs, Harvard University.

2. Political Elites and the Language of Mobilization: Examining the Ideological Influence of African Elites in the Emergence of African Nationalism • Jonathan Schoots, Stellenbosch University.

3. The Micro-Foundations of Elite Politics: Conversation Networks and Elite Conflict during China’s Reform Era • Yang Zhang, American University; Feng Shi, UNC-Chapel Hill.