File spoon-archives/postanarchism.archive/postanarchism_2004/postanarchism.0405, message 30


Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 03:00:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J.M. Adams" <ringfingers-AT-yahoo.com>
Subject: [postanarchism] Renewing the Anarchist Tradition: A Scholarly Conference (Sept. 24-26 2004)


RENEWING THE ANARCHIST TRADITION: A SCHOLARLY
CONFERENCE

September 24-26, 2004
Plainfield, Vermont

CALL FOR PROPOSALS / LOGISTICAL DETAILS

The Renewing the Anarchist Tradition (RAT) conference,
cosponsored by the Institute for Anarchist Studies and
Institute for Social Ecology,aims to provide a
scholarly space in which to both reexamine and
reinvigorate the social and political tradition of
anarchism.

RAT is meant as one contribution to the project of
developing a more rigorous as well as contemporary
theoretical framework for anarchism, and to assist in
nurturing new generations of anti-authoritarian public
intellectuals. Thus, as opposed to conferences that
attempt to create anarchist organizations, statements
of purpose, or focus on "lifestyle anarchism" or
how-to workshops, RAT brings together anarchist and
libertarian socialist scholars, activists, educators,
writers, organizers, students, and others to explore
how we make sense of our own tradition; how we
understand anarchism in the context of our lives,
movements, and present-day social conditions; and how
the conceptual tools that the anarchist tradition
provides can and need to be rethought.

Anarchism has tended to be a dynamic theory and
practice, and its influence in anti-capitalist
struggles around the world has become keenly apparent
of late. We are, as it were, inside history, and if
anarchism is to continue to be relevant to this moment
of global transformations, it must not only understand
the present but also scrutinize its own internal
taboos and tensions; it must not only be able to
describe contemporary forms of hierarchy and
oppression but also articulate openings for a radical
reshaping of social relations and material conditions
along ethical lines. The work that all of us attempt
to do now, the ideas and values we struggle to put
into words and practice, will have profound
implications for how this historical moment
structures the future. RAT is a modest addition to the
grand anarchist project of the present to ensure a
freer tomorrow for all.

As in the past, we hope that RAT continues to raise
difficult questions--questions ranging from the
character of social change to the ongoing relevance of
categories such as class, community, and labor; from
the changing shape of the state and capital to
emergent forms of both domination and resistance in a
globalizing world; from anarchism’s relation to
geopolitical concerns such as terrorism and war to its
ability to grapple with issues of identity such as
race, gender, and sexuality; to a host of other
controversial, contested, or even uncharted subjects.

Alongside a participatory weekend of presentations,
panels, and debates in a supportive atmosphere, the
beautiful rural Vermont setting affords the
opportunity to meet other anarchists and radicals,
relax around a campfire, or enjoy the fall foliage.
RAT will also include a mini-bookfair, free literature
tables, and possible film screenings.

CALL FOR PRESENTATION AND PANEL PROPOSALS:
DUE JULY 15, 2004

We are now accepting proposals for individual
presentations and panels/panelists. People of color,
women, those outside academia, and others often
excluded from scholarly life--due to gender,
sexuality,
class, and so forth--are especially encouraged to send
in proposals.

We’re looking for individual presentations that
attempt to analyze and/or critique current social
relations and dilemmas; share work and ideas on
anarchism’s relevance and potential as a
political/social theory as well as a practice; grapple
with and constructively challenge/build on standard
anarchist notions in light of a radically
changing world; and cover a wide variety of
perspectives and scholarly disciplines.

While you can also propose a full panel, including all
panelists, please consider simply proposing yourself
for a panel topic or two and we will put the panel
together based on a diversity of viewpoints.
Specifically, we would like to see panelist proposals
for the following topics: globalization; the role
ofanarchists in international solidarity work;
the changing character of statism/anti-statism,
capitalism/anti-capitalism, or class/labor today;
movement building and anarchism’s relation to other
social movements; anarchism and Marxism;
anarchism and poststructuralism; anarchism and
identity (in particular, race, gender, and sexuality);
anarchism and ecology; anarchist responses
to contemporary concerns such as terrorism and the
"war on terrorism," new legal regimes and policing,
war, the rise of fundamentalism and
nationalism, or the U.S. presidential elections; and
anarchism and its relation to its own history. Please
feel free to propose other ideas, of course.

Individual presentation and panel proposals should be
no more than one typed page each; remember, you can
also propose yourself as a panelist and let us set up
the panel itself. Please include a presentation or
panel title and brief description, a few sentences
about yourself and/or other proposed panelists, and
complete contact information (address,
phone, and e-mail). Indicate if you feel comfortable
having your presentation/panel audiotaped, and if so,
if you would be amendable to postconference
"publication" of such audio on a Web site or CD. Keep
in mind that presenters are asked to limit individual
presentations to about 30 to 40 minutes, and end by
framing a question or two for the
participants in order to facilitate another 30 to 40
minutes of discussion. Panelists should each prepare
about 10 to 15 minutes of material, leaving time for
discussion as well. Our intent with the panels is to
stimulate lively, but friendly debate, so again, a
variety of perspectives on each panel is encouraged.

Proposals are due by July 15, 2004, and should be
e-mailed to both co-organizers:

John Petrovato at jpetrovato(at)hotmail.com, and Cindy
Milstein at cbmilstein(at)yahoo.com.

If you don’t have access to e-mail, mail two copies of
your typed proposal(s) to Cindy Milstein, 19 French
Street, Barre, Vermont 05641. We will inform you about
the outcome of your proposal(s) by August 1.

Please note: all presenters must also register and pay
for the conference, and space is limited, so don’t
delay.

For more information: www.homemadejam.org/renew. Or
send us your e-mail address and we’ll add you to our
occasional RAT e-announcement mailing list.


===="Being at one is god-like and good, but human, too human, the 
        mania
     Which insists there is only the One, one country, one truth and
         one way."

- Friedrich Hölderlin, 1799

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