Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China

July 13-14, 2019

Conference Program

Theme

Modernity has become the basic discourse of contemporary humanities and social sciences research. The postmodern discourse formed in the 1960s has also been constructed into the discourse of modernity. The integration of modernity and postmodern discourse is actually connected with bio-politics, which emerged in the same period and has so far been in the ascendant. The representative of bio-politics is Foucault, today Agamben, Negri. Other philosophers are also very active in this field. In fact, when Giddens, Charles Taylor and others carried out the research on nation-state and ethnic identity, they also voluntarily borrowed the resources of bio-politics.

Bio-politics criticized the contemporary transformation of the liberal tradition that took place at the end of 70s and the early 80s of last century (the result is the formation of neo-liberalism). The contemporary transformation of the liberal tradition emphasizes the legitimacy of the capitalist government and its process. In this regard, in 90s century, with the disintegration of the ultra-national state, the emergence of the European community, transnational capitalism and global capitalism, then there is a wave transcends the thought of nation-state or post nation-state, which reflects the legitimacy and sovereignty.

 However, it is the legitimacy that bio-politics should criticize and question. Bio-politics thus rewrote modernity and opened the issue of diversity of ethnic groups and its discussion space. In a sense, the emergence of nationalism in the new century, the revival of nation-state and the anti-globalization trend of neo-liberalism in recent years, as well as the nationalism of developing countries and its powerful model of mobilization are worth studying via the research and interpretation of bio-politics. Issues related to ethnic group, nationality, nation-state, post nation-state, population, mobility, body, space, inter-ethnic group, identity, social solidarity, etc., are quite complex and serious in the subject of bio-politics.

Based on the above background and its framework, this conference intends to be conducted in the following directions:

1. Bio-politics, the reconstruction of global modernity and the revival of nation-state

2. Comparative studies on different cultural traditions and their modern transformations of multiple ethnic groups

3. Ethnic consciousness and national identity in the process of construction of contemporary nation-state

4. Anti-Semitism as a bio-political event and the construction of contemporary ethnic politics

5. Related theoretical resources, research and commentaries on bio-politics

Abstract

Please send 300 words and a brief C.V. to Dr. Zou Shipen [shipengzou@126.com], Dr. Liang Bingyang [912660262@qq.com] and [cua-rvp@cua.edu] by March 30, 2019. Full papers sent by June 30, 2019 will be considered to be published if publishable by the RVP in its publication series "Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change."

Logistics

There will be no registration fees. Travel expenses will be covered by participants/their institues. The organizer will provide local transportation, accommodations and food during the conference.

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