Counter-Hegemonic Internationalisms: Perspectives from the Past

This conference explores ways in which particular internationalist visions have spawned and sustained movements that have subverted predominant discourses, challenged existing power asymmetries or sought to overcome socio-economic inequalities. It thus shifts the focus from two forms of internationalism that have attracted particular scholarly attention in recent years: on the one hand, Ango-American visions of liberal internationalism that are often associated with bodies such as the League of Nations and United Nations; on the other hand, state-led internationalist ventures in which the Soviet Union and its allies played a prominent role. Instead, this conference will feature papers on grassroots visions and practices of internationalism, examining efforts that operated from the margins and/or within contexts of oppression.

We invite contributions that focus on particular historical case studies or aim for a broader intervention. In chronological terms, papers may concentrate on any period or point in time between the mid-nineteenth century and the recent past. We anticipate that the programme will feature examples that cover various internationalist efforts, including anti-colonial, anti-racist, feminist, queer and anarchist internationalisms. At the same time, the conference will problematise notions of the ‘counter-hegemonic’ – for instance by examining forms of internationalism that, while being framed as coming ‘from below’, could serve exclusionary agendas.

The conference is part of the AHRC-funded project ‘Rethinking Internationalism: Histories and Pluralities’, which is jointly led by Jessica Reinisch (Birkbeck), Ria Kapoor (QMUL), Daniel Laqua (Northumbria) and Margot Tudor (City St George’s). ‘Rethinking Internationalism’ seeks to build a community of scholars beyond (sub-)disciplinary silos and across different career stages. Together with its International Advisory Board, the project team are setting up a mentoring scheme, and we are therefore particularly keen on paper proposals from doctoral students, early-career scholars and researchers working under insecure contracts, as they will also be able to receive mentoring via the project. We intend to award travel bursaries to conference participants who do not have access to conference funding via their own institutions or funders.

If you are interested in proposing a paper for this event, please send a title, 300-word abstract and one-page CV to Daniel Laqua (daniel.laqua@northumbria.ac.uk) by 20 November 2024.

Contact Information
Daniel Laqua (daniel.laqua@northumbria.ac.uk)