Beyond the Nation

Conference: Beyond the Nation?: Critical Reflections on Nations and Nationalism in Uncertain Times
School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland
12-14 September 2007
(Pre-conference Workshop, 10-12 September 2007)
Deadline for submission of title/abstract: 1 March 2007
Paper acceptance notification 2 April 2007
Registration Deadline: 14 May 2007

Few ideas have proved more alluring and yet controversial than nationhood and nationalism. Celebrated by some as the source of political value and a key organizational principle, decried by others as treacherous and intellectually moribund, the nation and its attendant ideologies have endured despite the momentous upheavals of the 20th century. But in an age of increasing globalization and political fragmentation, does the nation have the relevance it once had? Are we, in short, finally moving into a post-national era? A major interdisciplinary conference, “Beyond the Nation? Critical Reflections on Nations and Nationalism in Uncertain Times” will explore the nation and nationalism as realities and ideals in the early 21st century. Its goal is to bring together leading international researchers and thinkers from the fields of nationalism studies, ethnic conflict studies, multiculturalism, comparative politics, European studies, international relations/theory, political history, political theory/philosophy, social history/theory, and law to critically interrogate the role and viability of nationalism in our time.

The conference will take place in Queen’s University Belfast’s central campus and run over a three day period, from Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th September inclusive. It will be comprised of three strands, each strand taking the form of a workshop devoted to a particular sub-theme(s) or discipline(s). There will be a number of plenary and keynote speeches, as well as social events on each of the evenings, including Friday 14th September.

The conference is open to those who intend to present papers and those who simply want to attend the various workshops. If you would like to give a paper, please submit a title and abstract (150-300 words) to the appropriate workshop convenor. For further details about the conference please visit:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofPoliticsInternationalStudiesandPhilosophy/NewsandEvents/BeyondTheNationConference2007/#d.en.51488