CfP International Conference Information and Power in History
Type: Call for Papers
Date: April 16, 2017
Location: Netherlands
Subject Fields: Contemporary History, Cultural History / Studies, Intellectual History, Political History / Studies, Social History / Studies
CfP International Conference Information and Power in History
"Nowadays
we all know that information is the key to power, and that the masters
of information rule the world," Anthony Grafton wrote in his
commendation of Jacob Soll's book on Jean-Baptiste Colbert, The
Information Master (2009). Yet this notion is much older; it has even
been attributed to the Chinese general Sun Tzu (544-c. 496 BCE). As far
as the relationship between power and information is concerned,
present-day scholars point out that we find ourselves in a special
phase. The ‘information revolution’ of today has caused information to
become a separate object of study during the last two decades.
Historians distinguish different ages of information, from the invention
of the printing press to the age of the scientific revolution to that
of the digital revolution. Notwithstanding past and present fears, the
information revolution has not brought an Orwellian control of society
by the central government. On the contrary, some experts would say that
modern communication techniques have ensured a fragmenting and
decentralizing effect on the provision of information. It is clear that
the relationship between the control over information and the exercise
of power is a relevant subject for all times. Since research into its
historical evolution has been recent, this two-day conference aims to
put this topic explicitly on the research agenda. We are particularly
interested in the connection between different types of information and
the exercise of power, including the role of confidentiality; knowledge
regarding politics and international relations, opposition movements,
(weapon) technology, geography or economic issues; among others. We want
to focus on actors who provided (or tried to withhold) information,
whether and how its quality and reliability can be established; and how
crucial knowledge became exclusively available to those who exercise
power. Papers may reflect on one or more of the following questions:
-Who possesses relevant information and how did that come about?
-How does the process of collecting and providing information take its course?
-Is there a perception of ‘information’ as a concept to those who control it, and does this change during the ages?
-Which groups, networks, individuals and institutions are involved in the exchange of information?
-What type of information serves as a power tool?
-How well informed is the ruler in his decisions?
-Does ‘hidden’ power based on information control exist?
-At
which political and administrative levels and within which arrangements
of governance is information brought forward and does timing play a
role in this? -Why and how is particular information selected? -Are
mechanisms of power also responsible for technological changes in the
production, distribution and filtering of information?
Confirmed keynote speakers are:
-
Prof. dr. Ann L. Stoler, Willy Brandt Distinguished Professor of
Anthropology and History, The New School for Social Research, New York,
USA.
- Dr. Toni Weller, Visiting Research Fellow in History, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
The
language of the conference is English. A peer-reviewed publication is
planned. Submissions Guidelines We welcome proposals for 20-minute,
English-language papers related to one or more of the conference's
themes. Submissions about all periods and geographical areas are
welcome, because the relation between information and power is of all
times. Proposals should include: a preliminary title for your paper
an abstract of 250-300 words a CV of no more than 1 page contact
information, including any institutional affiliation.
Submit your proposals to congress@huygens.knaw.nl by
30 June 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by email before 15
September 2016. Participants are expected to organize and cover the
costs for their own travel and accommodations, and are advised of a
registration fee of € 50,- (€ 25,- for students). The fee covers lunches
and coffees during the conference, as well as the conference dinner.
The conference organizers have applied for additional funding with which
they hope to be able to reduce the fees. For questions please contact
the conference organizers at congress@huygens.knaw.nl.
Conference Organizers This conference on 16-17 March 2017 (Amsterdam)
is organized by Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands
(Huygens ING) in collaboration with Radboud University (RUN) and Leiden
University (UL). The organizational team includes Prof. dr. Ida
Nijenhuis (Huygens ING, RUN), Dr. Marijke van Faassen (Huygens ING), Dr.
Ronald Sluijter (Huygens ING), Dr. Wim de Jong (RUN) and PhD Joris
Gijsenbergh (UL). The conference organizers are grateful for financial
and material support from Huygens ING.
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