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Call for Papers Theme: Accommodation Policies and Territorial Dynamics in Multilevel-States Type: International Conference Institution: Center of Excellence "Cultural Foundations of Social Integration", University of Konstanz Location: Konstanz (Germany) Date: 13.–15.6.2013 Deadline: 31.1.2013 __________________________________________________ Questions of how to accommodate cultural diversity have become increasingly important not only in Western Europe but also as part of processes of democratization outside Europe. Apart from the renaissance of internal nations within states, mobility and immigration are transforming the cultural composition of societies increasing their heterogeneity. Cultural communities differ in terms of language, religion, cultural tradition, and national or ethnic identity. Demands for special recognition or protection of group distinctiveness are challenging liberal principles of equality and raise questions about belonging, identity, in- and exclusion. Apart from practical problems of finding solutions satisfying for divergent groups, policies of integration also touch on normative principles of living together within one state. The aim of the conference is to shed light on these fundamental questions and to compare policies of diversity management in different contexts. Territorially concentrated minorities, dispersed linguistic communities, and immigrant groups may also overlap within one state. Policies of diversity may be rendered more complex but may also interact and create tensions or conflicts between different communities. We intend to approach these issues of accommodation, integration and internal dynamics from different theoretical perspectives and include a variety of studies of different types of communities and the policies directed at their demands. Single case studies are as welcome as small and large N comparisons covering cultural communities in Europe as well as other world areas. We invite proposals covering the following topics: - Theoretical and normative reflections: Studies may reflect on tensions between individual and group rights, liberalism and multiculturalism, or the right to secession and the integrity of the state. Questions may center on the way policies of accommodation are justified in liberal democracies, or on how they are related to other normative principles like justice or equality. - Studies of cultural communities and diversity management: We would like to encourage examinations of different strategies of conflict regulation (federalism, consociationalism, non-territorial cultural autonomy), in their potential and limits for managing conflicts between different cultural communities. - Comparisons of different types of communities: Papers in this section focus on similarities and differences between territorially concentrated minorities, dispersed linguistic communities or immigrant groups in different world areas, analyzing their demands as well as mobilization potential and the different policies directed at their needs. Since political parties are relevant actors in negotiating policies of accommodation questions of how they are positioning themselves on issues of cultural diversity become relevant especially in case of regionalist or nationalist parties. - Internal dynamics between levels of governments and communities: This section shall deal with the consequences of policies of accommodation. Dynamics can the result of granting or denying special rights or forms of autonomy, but may also include interactions between different groups and their rights. Questions of accountability or sovereignty in case of shared jurisdictions may also arise in consequence of an increasingly fragmented allocation of power and resources. Please submit an abstracts (250 words) no later than 31 January 2013 to: Nathalie Behnke, University of Konstanz, nathalie.beh...@uni-konstanz.de Bettina Petersohn, University of Konstanz, bettina.peters...@uni-konstanz.de The conference is organized by the research project “The dynamics of group conflicts in multinational multi-level systems – integration or accommodation?” and will be funded by the Center of Excellence “Cultural Foundations of Social Integration” of the University of Konstanz. Website of the Center of Excellence: http://www.exc16.de/cms/index.html?&L=1 __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
