Dear All,
I would like to convene a session at the forthcoming 2005 IBG. The purpose of this mail is twofold: procedural and substantive.
First, it is unclear from the IBG how one proposes a session aside from on an individual basis. My communications with EGRG thus far have not helped aside from referring me back to the IBG web site! The web page says: "Ideally these (individual proposals) will be joint with an appropriate research group.". What is the EGRG mechanism to agree to a joint session? I presume that others may be in the same position so a collective response might be useful. Presumably, the EGRG does not want to sponsor all comers?
Second, I wanted to know is anyone might be interested in my proposal (on an individual basis or as a link to EGRG): 'A critical look at commodity chains'. The topic does seem very appropriate to the overall conference theme too!
Some of the writing about commodity chains implies a universal concept and policy. A contrasting view is that commodity chains, the spaces they are minfest in/through and production/consumption processes that mobilise them, are quite distinctive. For example, there is a lot of work on food chains, textiles, and motor vehicles. Is there a case to be made for a sectoral perspective (and if so, what are the key differences, and why)? The outcome of this debate has more than a little policy relevance.
More specifically, I am interested in cultural industry commodity chains. Furthermore, I am particularly interested in the tendancy for some to either elide (or simply concentrate on thus cultural dimensions of analysis) general commodity chain analysis with 'cultuaralisation thesis' that can lead us back into a universalising discourse. I think this links us back to a more concrete discussion of culture-economy debates. Obviously, I am over-polarising the debate for impact.
In sum, the focus would be on cultural (product) commodity chains? and / or discussing the tensions between 'cultural product' commodity chains, and 'cultural dimensions of commodity chains'.
Comments and reactions to this proposal to [log in to unmask] (not 'reply all')!
andy
Dr Andy C Pratt
Department of Geography
London School of Economics
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
email: [log in to unmask]
web pages:
[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]
tel: +44 (0)207 955 7588
fax: +44 (0)207 955 7412
|