Call for Papers
"Philosophy against Empire"
6th Biennial Conference
Radical Philosophy Association
Howard University, Washington, D.C. (USA)
November 4-7, 2004
The RPA Conference Program Committee invites submissions of talks,
papers, workshops, roundtables discussions, posters and other kinds of
conference contributions, for its sixth biennial conference, to be
held at Howard University in Washington, DC
In the spirit of collaboration, and in the recognition that radical
philosophy is often done outside traditional philosophical settings,
we invite submissions not only from philosophers inside and outside
the academy, but also from those who engage in theoretical work in
other academic disciplines - such as ethnic studies, women's studies,
social sciences and literary studies - and from those engaged in
theoretical work unconnected to the academy. Also, undergraduate
students should consider organizing their own sessions or workshops.
We especially welcome contributions from those often excluded from or
marginalized in philosophy, including people of color, gays and
lesbians, persons with disabilities, poor and working class persons.
We also hope for submissions from other nations with social movements
against the present global order, and from graduate students, who
represent the future of radical philosophy.
Conference Theme
We live at a time when the imperial designs of the United States have
become starkly visible and frighteningly attainable, and it is an
empire like none before it.
Economically, the United States consumes far more of the world's
resources than any other nation, even as its own sales to foreign
markets cannot cover this consumption. Thanks to its hegemonic
position in the world market, the United States continues to serve as
the main engine of growth in the world economy, and the dollar
continues to serve as the major reserve currency. Politically and
militarily, there have been few periods in world history in which the
balance of military power has been so one-sided. The United States
claims the moral right to engage in so-called "pre-emptive" wars
whenever it wants against whomever it wishes. It either dictates
policies to international institutions such as the IMF, UN and the
World Bank or ignores them when they do not agree. It walks away with
impunity from intellectual agreements it opposes, such as the Kyoto
treaty on global warming, or the establishment of an international
criminal court. Culturally, corporations from the United States have
profoundly affected the way people in other regions of the world eat
(McDonald's, KFC), drink (Coke), dress (jeans, Nike), entertain
themselves (Hollywood), interpret world events (CNN), and view their
own identities. Racially, the United States, like all empires of
European descent, has organized the world according to an unfair
racial contract that benefits a small minority while impoverishing the
vast majority, both globally and within its own borders.
Radical philosophers will not formulate moral justifications for the
American Empire, as the hegemonic positions in social and political
philosophy do, implicitly if not explicitly. Nor will we console
ourselves with the belief that U.S. hegemony is the least bad
alternative in the amoral realm of power politics. Radical
philosophers are philosophers against empire. You do not have to be a
long time dues-paying member of the RPA to be part of this struggle.
Nor do you have to be a professor or presently enrolled as a student.
The RPA welcomes papers and presentations that critique the reality of
the American Empire. They may look at racism, class exploitation, male
dominance, heterosexism, able-ism and other forms of domination. They
may examine the ecological impact of the present global order,
speaking for the living creatures and future generations who cannot
speak. They may be devoted to constructing feasible and normatively
attractive alternatives to empire. Or they may discuss the special
pedagogical challenges that arise from attempting to teach philosophy
in the present historical context. We have much to learn from each
other regarding these and many other topics.
Guidelines for Submissions
In keeping with the spirit of radical thinking embodied by the RPA, we
encourage submissions that employ formats and media that challenge the
standard conference presentation. For instance, we urge presenters to
use formats that allow for greater interaction between participants
and audience (e.g. presenting an outline, rather than reading a
paper), and that emphasize collective inquiry (e.g. organizing a
workshop).
To encourage discussion, papers should be limited to 3000 words.
Please note that participants will be selected for at most one
presentation (talk, workshop, poster session, etc.) during the
conference; submissions should be presented with this in mind. (This
limit does not include chairing sessions.)
Please submit all and only the following information:
Name
Address
Affiliation, or independent scholar, activist, educator, etc.
Title of proposal
Nature of proposal (talk, workshop, other)
Abstract of 250-500 words only
If you would be willing to serve as a session chair, please indicate
this on your submission form. Session chairs are responsible for
timing presentations, and ensuring that each presenter gets her or his
fair share of the available time.
Please do NOT submit complete papers.
Deadline
All submissions must be postmarked by January 31, 2004.
Please send paper, workshop, poster, and other proposals to:
RPA Program Committee
c/o Tony Smith
Department of Philosophy
402 Catt Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
USA
email: [log in to unmask]
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