IPSA-ECPR joint conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil - February 16-19, 2011

Panel abstract:
The Other, defined in difference to the self, is portrayed in diverse contexts within international relations. Representations of difference are part of interaction between states, groups and individuals and, of interest in this panel, also touch upon issues of competition for regional leadership and the rise of new actors in international relations. This panel will focus on the levels of the state and the group.

The Other is portrayed by utilizing different images and stylistic and discursive means. At times, links are constructed to the past, where already existing visual or ideational content is used. Other times, images may be newly created and promoted. In the realm of international relations states and various groups engage in Othering and thereby affect relations and policy. Motivations for portraying the Other, or the Constitutive Other, in various ways and for dynamics of Othering are diverse. Whatever the underlying motivations may be, the view and understanding of the self is related to views of the Other. Representations are thus a product of mutual constructions of the self and Other.

The following questions may be answered in contributions to the panel:
- How can we study, examine and understand the Other in IR?
- What are current deficits in the study of the Other in IR?
- What is the benefit of studying the Other in IR?
- Which images, representations and stylistic means are present in portrayals of the Other?
- What are the underlying motivations of portraying the Other in various ways?
- Which effects does Othering have on relations between states and or groups in the international arena?
- How do some portrayals change over time?
- How do processes of Othering function?
- What are the ‘dangers’ of Othering?

Both conceptual and empirical contributions are welcome.

Please send a proposal with title and abstract (max. 250 words) to sybille.rdeb@gmail.com

Sybille Reinke de Buitrago

Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH)
&
GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies
Hamburg, Germany