New Political History

Political history is one of modern history’s classic and central disciplines. In an increasingly complex profession it is often criticized and caricatured, and it is probably also a fact that political history has been less affected by new theoretical approaches than other sub-disciplines such as cultural history, social history or economic history.

In recent years, however, a series of new orientations in relation to the historical study of politics have appeared. In particular, theories and methods related to the many ‘turns’ in historical theory and methodology (e.g. the linguistic, cultural or transnational) are increasingly influencing research in political history and political culture. In Germany, a “neue Politikgeschichte” is on the agenda, and similar developments can be observed in other countries. It is towards these developments that the seminar and subsequent special issue are directed.

Whereas the center of attention of political history has traditionally been the actor/biography, party, movement, available archival sources or decision processes in the legislative and administrative bodies, it is the intention of this special issue to thematize other and additional approaches to the historical study of politics. The point is not that the ‘old’ political history is passé. The point is that politics is a diverse field that can be studied by the use of many different perspectives and methods.

Historians and researchers of neighboring disciplines are therefore invited to submit proposals for papers that introduce – for instance through a case study – a methodical approach, a neglected topic or an interdisciplinary perspective which contributes to a renewal of political history. To ensure homogeneity in the special issue, priority will be given to methodically oriented proposals.

Deadlines:
Deadline for abstracts (min. ½ page): September 15, 2012
Deadline for seminar papers: April 1, 2013
Deadline for article contributions (max. 20 pages): July 15, 2013

Contributions – and questions – should be sent to temphist@hum.au.dk.

The seminar takes place in mid-2013 • The issue is edited by Klaus Petersen(SDU), Anne-Marie Mai (SDU), Jeppe Nevers (SDU), Karen Gram-Skjoldager (AU), Ann-Christina Lauring Knudsen (AU), Claus Kjersgaard Nielsen (AU) and Poul Duedahl (AAU) and is published in June 2014.