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National identification from below. Europe from the late 18th century to the end of the First World War
International Conference Ghent (Belgium), 7-8 March 2008
The last three decades, the discourse, myths, symbols and rites of the most diverse nations and national(ist) movements, have been amply studied. Much of this research, however, is informed by a limited conception of the constructivist paradigm, interpreting national identity as a middle and upper class concern brought to the masses through a whole range of nationalising media (schools, army, press, monarchy, church, etc.) overemphasizing the idea of elite construction ex nihilo (as if dominant groups can randomly choose which myth they want to 'feed' to the masses). This conference wants to study not only the production of national discourse, but also its appropriation by 'ordinary people' and the masses' creativity in forging new national symbols from below. The intended audience includes historians, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, ethnographers, ...
Programme committee
Heinz-Gerhard Haupt (European University Institute)
Martyn Lyons (University of New South Wales)
Gerard Noiriel (Ecole des Hautes Etudes en sciences sociales)
Anthony D. Smith (London School of Economics), honorary member
Niek Van Sas (University of Amsterdam)
Jakob Vogel (Centre Marc Bloch. Deutsch-franzoesisches Zentrum fuer Sozialwissenschaften)
Key-note speakers
John Breuilly (London School of Economics)
Heinz-Gerhard Haupt (European University Institute)
Martyn Lyons (University of New South Wales)
Ilaria Porciani (University of Bologna)
Plenary speakers
James Brophy (University of Delaware)
Jean-Francois Chanet (Universite Lille III)
Laurence Cole (University of Norwich)
Margot Finn (Warwick University)
Andrew Thompson (University of Leeds)
Miguel Cabo Villaverde (Universidad de Santiago de Compostela)
Oliver Zimmer (University of Oxford)
Organising committee
Marnix Beyen (Antwerp University)
Luc Boeva (ADVN)
Thomas Buerman (Ghent University)
Bruno De Wever (Ghent University)
Maarten Van Ginderachter (Ghent University), conference convenor
Fee
Registration before 31 December 2007: two-day attendance: 100 euro, one-day attendance: 60 euro
Registration after 31 December 2007: two-day attendance: 130 euro, one-day attendance: 70 euro
Full programme and registration: www.frombelow.ugent.be
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