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Apologies for Cross-posting Session Call For Papers: ICCG Conference, Frankfurt, 16-20 August, 2011 Critical perspectives on subaltern struggles in South Asia Andrew Davies, University of Liverpool ([log in to unmask]) Oppositional struggles in South Asia have a long history, from the resistance to colonisation through to contemporary struggles against neoliberalism. Popular discourse has it that India is undergoing an economic revolution which has the potential to allow it to develop into a superpower for the 21st century (a claim clearly open to contestation, see Ahmed et al, 2011). Meanwhile its neighbours Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal have experienced considerable political turmoil (see for example Lawoti, 2007, Mohammad & Sidaway, Forthcoming). These processes remain diverse in the ranges of social and political issues being addressed, from 'traditional' struggles about labour, ethnicity and caste, through to transnational organising over environmental and natural resource issues. South Asia, then, is at the forefront of debates about resistance to neoliberalism, current development orthodoxy and wider geopolitical tensions about the 'BRIC' countries and the 'War on Terror'. Taking inspiration from Partha Chatterjee's (2004) call for understanding 'the politics of the governed' - those groups who exist beyond or below 'traditional' civil society - this session seeks to explore some of the current trends in South Asian politics and their potential to help understand the state of contemporary resistant politics. At the same time, it seeks to interrogate what is at stake when we think spatially about the politics of the governed, and more broadly, what are the current intersections between space, neoliberalism and resistant political activity in South Asia. These issues have important implications not only in the region, but also for wider political trends across the world. Potential questions for discussion include: · What alternative political practices have emerged in South Asia and how are they useful in generating more equitable and just futures? · What effects has the worldwide economic crisis had on political discourse in the region? Is the crisis likely to consolidate or help disrupt neoliberalism in the region? · What can be said about the diverse range of strategies employed by political movements in the region? Relatedly, what can be said about the effects of more-or-less violent political activity deployed by movements within the region? · How are power relations between local, national and transnational movements articulated? What can the successes and failures of South Asian movements tell us about how to resist injustice elsewhere? Contributions from those working within South Asia and from activists, social movements, labour unions and other non-academic sources are particularly welcome. Abstracts of 250 words to be sent to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> by the 7th of February. This is a session call under Theme 5: Oppositional Struggles Worldwide, organised by Andy Cumbers, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, & Dave Featherstone, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> References Ahmed, W, Kundu, A & Peet, R (eds.) 2011 India's New Economic Policy: A Critical Analysis Oxford, Routledge Chatterjee, P 2004 The Politics of the Governed New York, Columbia Uni. Press Lawoti, M (ed.) 2007 Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal New Delhi, Sage Mohammad, R & Sidaway, J Forthcoming 'Stalingrad in the Hindu Kush? AFPAK, Crucibles and Chains of Terror' Antipode DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8330.2010.00805.x Dr Andrew Davies School of Environmental Sciences The University of Liverpool Roxby Building L69 7ZT Email [log in to unmask] Tel: (0)151 794 2840