Central European University, Budapest
th
2-3 October 2015
Keynote Speakers: Duncan Bell (University of Cambridge), Neil Davidson (University of
Glasgow)
Venue: Central European University, Budapest
Date: 2-3 October 2015
Deadline: 10 June 2015
Profile
While there is a noticeable rise of historical sociology within international relations research
(Hobson 2011), this development still seems to be in its infancy and the implications of historical sociology for international relations theory have not been fully realized. In this context the 19 th century seems especially relevant since it is considered by some scholars as one of the most important yet often neglected turning points in the nature of international relations (Buzan and Lawson 2013). Even some of the foundational concepts of IR, such as hegemony, can come under a lot of fire in the 19 th century context (Lacher and Germann
2012). Furthermore, the empirical references of historical IR research do not always correspond with the latest historical research (for example the imperial turn:(Mikhail and
Philliou 2012; Burbank and Cooper 2010; Miller and Rieber 2004). On the other hand, historians have not been very open to considering how IR theories might inform their research and what implications their research might have on IR theory. The aim of this conference is to challenge IR scholars to probe the extent to which current IR theories capture the dynamics of international relations in the 19 th century and to encourage historians to reflect on their research by reference to IR debates. Moreover, considering that some scholars regard the 19 th century as the most relevant reference for the emergent 21 st century world order (Anderson 2007), the conference will address the implications of 19 th century for contemporary international relations.
We welcome proposals on the following topics
 Theories of the international in 19 th century context
 Social change and international relations (emergence of new socio-economic relations and its effects on the international as well as the role of the international in facilitating social change via state-driven socioeconomic transformations)
 Units of the international system: nation states vs. empires (the challenge of the imperial turn)
 Capitalism and geopolitics (imperialism and/or imperial rule)
 Eurocentrism of international relations (history and discipline)
 19 th century and contemporary colonialism

 Eastern and Southeastern Europe in 19 th century world order
 The continuing relevance of the 19 th century: contemporary international relations in the mirror of 19 th century, global and Eastern and Southeastern European perspectives
Requirements
Proposals should include a short abstract (200 words) and a brief biographical note
(including institutional affiliation). They should be sent to Mladen Medved –
Medved_Mladen@phd.ceu.edu
– by no later than 10 June 2015.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered in some cases. Please stress in your application whether you would like your travel and accommodation costs covered.
The conference is sponsored by Pasts Inc. and Departments of History and International
Relations at Central European University, Budapest. Please do not hesitate to contact the organizers if any questions should arise.
References
Anderson, Perry. 2007. “Jottings on the Conjuncture.” New Left Review, II, , no. 48
(December): 5–37.
Burbank, Jane, and Frederick Cooper. 2010. Empires in World History: Power and the Politics
of Difference. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Buzan, Barry, and George Lawson. 2013. “The Global Transformation: The Nineteenth
Century and the Making of Modern International Relations1.” International Studies
Quarterly 57 (3): 620–34. doi:10.1111/isqu.12011.
Hobson, John M. 2011. “What’s at Stake in the Neo-Trotskyist Debate? Towards a Non-
Eurocentric Historical Sociology of Uneven and Combined Development.”
Millennium - Journal of International Studies 40 (1): 147–66. doi:10.1177/0305829811412653.
Lacher, Hannes, and Julian Germann. 2012. “Before Hegemony: Britain, Free Trade, and
Nineteenth-Century World Order Revisited.” International Studies Review 14 (1):
99–124.
Mikhail, Alan, and Christine M. Philliou. 2012. “The Ottoman Empire and the Imperial
Turn.” Comparative Studies in Society & History 54 (4): 721–45.
Miller, A. I., and Alfred J. Rieber. 2004. Imperial Rule. Budapest ; New York: Central
European University Press.
The deadline for proposals is 10 June 2015
Contact: Imogen Bayley and Mladen Medved
Central European University, Nador 9 utca | 1051 Budapest, Hungary
E-Mail: Medved_Mladen@phd.ceu.edu; Bayley_Imogen@phd.ceu.hu | Tel. 0036 (0)307 - 698790