Interdisciplinary Conference: ‘American Conservatism’: Rethinking the US Right. ’

Friday 14 June 2013 (Deadline for Paper Proposals 1st May 2013)

Senate Room, Senate House, University of London, WC1E 7HU

The School of Advanced Study’s Institute for the Study of the Americas (ISA) and the Eccles Centre for American Studies are jointly hosting an international conference on American Conservatism.

The study of the US right is one of the fastest growing areas of contemporary scholarship and is one where considerable progress has been made over the last twenty years in comprehending and contextualising the forces that have reshaped American society. This conference seeks to bring together scholars working in this area from a variety of disciplines and whose work covers a range of time periods, to perform collectively a stocktake of the current stage of studies of American conservatism, and consider where further thought is needed. Papers that challenge the existing scholarship are particularly welcome.

Areas where contributions would be welcome include
• the role of intellectual conservatism within the Conservative Movement;
• the intersection of conservative thought and political practice;
• the relationship of the Republican and Democratic (and other parties) to conservatism;
• conservatism and race relations;
• Conservatism and gender
• Conservatism and religion
• Diversity and Divisions within Conservatism
• International and comparative perspectives on US conservatism.

Papers are welcomed on both contemporary and historical issues.

The keynote address will be given by Professor Richard Pious of the University of Columbia/Barnard College. Professor Pious is one of the world’s leading experts on the US Presidency and will be discussing ‘Executive Power in Conservative Thought’.

The papers will be published in an ISA edited collection which will count as an academic publication as regards the Research Excellent Framework.
Paper proposals

We invite paper proposals on any topics related to the conference theme. Please submit paper proposals of 350 words to Dr Tom Packer at tom.packer@sas.ac.uk Any questions about any aspects of the submission process should also be directed to Dr Packer.

The deadline for abstract submission is 1 May 2013 Earlier submission is encouraged. Successful submissions will be notified by 10 May 2012.

This is an interdisciplinary conference. Contributions are welcome from many disciplines, including History, Political Science, American studies, International Relations, Political Theory , Anthropology, Gender Studies and Religious Studies.