Call for Papers: RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2015. Exeter 2-4 September 2015
*Distance, Proximity and the Geopolitical*
Session Conveners: Patrick Weir, Anna Jackman, Sean Carter (University of Exeter)
Sponsored by: the History and Philosophy of Geography Research Group and the Political Geography Research Group
Over the past decade the field of political geography has been marked by a series of theoretical and conceptual innovations around key concepts such as territory and scale (Elden 2013, Marston et al 2005). However, the concept of distance, whilst often implicit within such discussions, arguably remains relatively under-theorised. This session therefore seeks to explore the continued relevance of distance to discussions of the geopolitical.
The importance of distance, for example, needs re-consideration in light of the critiques made of the assumed topographical and Euclidean properties of space by a range of approaches that might be loosely termed relational, as well as by new technologies that are said to render (geopolitical) distance increasingly insignificant. Despite these claims, however, geopolitical strategies, discourses, actions and performances often continue to be read and understood through reference to notions of distance and proximity.
This session, therefore, invites theoretical and empirical contributions exploring the significance and importance of the concept of distance in the geopolitical sphere.
Suggested paper topics may include, but are not limited to:
· Visualities and distance
· Technologies of and as distance
· Action at a distance
· Cosmopolitan ethics and distance
· Military capabilities and distance
· Humanitarian intervention and responsibility at a distance
Proposals for papers, including a title and an abstract of no more than 250 words, should be emailed to Anna Jackman ([log in to unmask]) and Patrick Weir ([log in to unmask]) before Friday 6th February 2015.
References
Elden, Stuart. The birth of territory. University of Chicago Press, 2013.
Marston, Sallie A., John Paul Jones, and Keith Woodward. "Human geography without scale." Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 30.4 (2005): 416-432.
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