September 2-4 Manchester.- "Workshops in Political Theory"

Manchester** Metropolitan University*** September 2 – 4 2009

*Anarchism*
Proposals are invited on the following two themes :

Theorising Anarchism
- Anarchism and World Politics

Theorising Anarchism

The relationship between anarchism and theory has long been contested
and the claim is sometimes made that anarchism is born of practical
experience rather than theoretical reflection. Equally, there is some
resistance within the anarchist movement to the study of anarchist
thought and a suspicion that an interest in the writings of so-called
classical theorists betrays a concern to close down open discussion or
to overly intellectualise a set of traditions that have their roots in
protest and action. There is a worry, moreover, that theorising carries
with it the danger of ossification. Yet in recent years, there has been
renewed interest in anarchist theory and theorising about anarchism. The
development of postanarchism is one of the most important indicators of
this interest. The aim of the workshop is to consider the role, nature
and purpose of anarchist theory. Participants might consider questions
of value or approach, method and dissemination, the ethics of anarchist
theorising or the cultural specificity of anarchist thought.
Contributions are encouraged from those working in all relevant fields –
both within academia and beyond.

Anarchism and World Politics

‘The international’ or ‘the global’ is under-theorised in anarchist
studies. Anarchist analysis of world events, on the other hand, tends to
be little more than a set of discreet area studies linked by a
world-view. This raises the question of whether anarchism is a universal
philosophy or one rooted in time and place ? Does it have a message
beyond particularism and if so does anarchism have the conceptual
apparatus for considering world politics as opposed to inter-/national/
relations or anti-statism ? This panel theme will investigate these and
related issues. How do new social movements conceptualise the global ?
How do they speak for interests beyond the immediate issue ? How do (or
should) anarchist movements understand the structures of global power ?
What is an effective anarchist response to global crisis ?
If you’d like to participate in either of these themed panels please
contact Ruth Kinna ),
convenor, with an abstract (max. 250 words).

*Conference format*

Each workshop has between three and twelve participants. The conference
will be divided into four sessions, each lasting three and a half hours.
In most cases, paper-givers will be asked to speak for 30 minutes, and
will then field questions and comments for a further 30 minutes.
Participants will be asked to circulate papers in advance of the
session. Delegates are free to attend any workshop they like during
those sessions when their own workshop is not meeting.
Conference Registration .
Telephone : 0161-247-1565.
It
will be possible to download registration forms from the conference
website as well.
The deadline for registration is 30th July 2009.