Thirteenth Annual York Centre for International and Security Studies

Thirteenth Annual York Centre for International and Security Studies
Conference

Exceptional Measures for Exceptional Times: The State of Security Post 9/11
2-3 February 2006

Call for Papers

Purportedly, the events of 9/11 have altered the international security
environment, demanding exceptional measures that tighten borders, enable
indefinite detention, and justify preventive warfare. Forms of sovereign and
executive authority have been resurrected, creating a state of exception by
suspending normal rules and laws that are argued to be in the interests of
national and international security. These developments raise questions
about
the appropriate balance between security, freedom, and democracy.  Some
scholars and activists argue that recent measures have gone too far, and
that
the costs to freedom and democracy are too high. Others argue that security
measures are needed to protect this very freedom. This conference invites
papers that investigate the policy perspectives and discursive frames that
inform how we think about the relationship between security and freedom in
the
post 9/11 era. Of particular interest are papers that consider how ideas of
the
exception get articulated in security discourses and practices and the role
that
notions of dangerousness and foreignness play in the construction of
internal
and external enemies. How do articulations of danger play on raced, sexed,
and
classed bodies? On what grounds are states of exception and exceptional
responses justified? What are the ethical and political implications of
suspending normal rules? What dilemmas do new security practices present for
the practitioners and theorists who study the politics of security? How are
the
scholarly traditions of Security Studies and International Relations
sustained
by, and invested in, exceptional measures such as war and conflict?

Reflecting a desire for open, diverse, and vibrant exchange, we strongly
encourage papers that draw on a broad range of theoretical commitments
including Critical Theory, Post-structuralism, Feminism(s),
Post-colonialism,
Anti-Racism, Queer Theory, Marxism, Gramscian, Realism, Liberalism, and
Green
Theory. Interdisciplinary perspectives and presentations grounded outside of
International Relations are strongly encouraged.

Potential Topic Areas:
. Redefinitions of geopolitical space, borders and sovereignty
. Biopolitics
. Political economy of conflict and war
. The politics of xenophobia - racial targeting, indefinite detention,
deportation and expulsion
. Representations of the post 9/11 era
. Weapons proliferation
. Canadian foreign and defence policy and Canada's International
Policy Review
. Defence and the 'homeland'
. Anti-terrorism and immigration law
. Imperialism, empire and foreign policy
. Governance and 'others'
. Intervention - humanitarian or otherwise
. Constructions of foreignness, hetero-normativity, masculinity, and
femininity
. New technologies and targets of security
. Ethics and responsibility

The deadline for applications is Friday, 14 October 2005.  Please submit an
abstract of 250 words to Tina Managhan managhan@yorku.ca and Colleen Bell
cbell@yorku.ca.