1-2 June 2011
Clinton Institute for American Studies, University College Dublin
This conference will examine both the ways in which the nature of contemporary armed conflict is changing and the historical roots of that change. The recent American experience with insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq has led to a new debate on the nature of contemporary conflict. Newly popular concepts such as 'irregular warfare', 'asymmetric conflict', 'hybrid war', 'fourth generation warfare' and even 'War 2.0' all describe a form of conflict that involves far more actors -- including insurgents, criminal gangs, peacekeepers, civilians, NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments and media outlets -- than does warfare as traditionally conceived. However, these issues, new as they seem, have a past. The historical American experience of 'small wars' provides the backdrop for current debates on counterinsurgency. We invite panels and papers that explore any aspect of the contested history of insurgency and counterinsurgency, broadly defined.
This conference considers the historical and contemporary experience of insurgency and counterinsurgency and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with the ways in which past experiences with insurgency and counterinsurgency are refracted through current concerns. Possible topics could include but are not limited to:
•Lesson-learning and the uses of history: How do policy-makers and institutions use the experiences of the past to inform their decision-making and doctrine?• Modernization ideology and development as counterinsurgency: how have ideologies of modernization influenced counterinsurgency doctrine and practice?
• Representations: how have the experiences of 'small wars' been represented in literature, music and film?
• The New Media Landscape: how have media organizations negotiated the terrain of 'new wars', where traditional landmarks and narratives are absent?
• Criminality and Organized Violence in Contemporary Conflict: how has the nature of organized violence changed? Does the rise of non-state actors point to a shift in how we perceive and discuss 'war'?
• Intentions and consequences: Does the nature of 'small wars' help explain the increasing disconnection between a government's stated objectives at the beginning of a conflict and the actual outcomes.
Plenary speakers include Professor Hew Strachan, Oxford University, and Professor Mark Grimsley, The Ohio State University.
UCD invites single paper and panel proposals for this conference. Please send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
1. Name, contact details and academic affiliation
2. Paper title
3. 200-300 word abstract
4. Brief CV or biographical statement
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 11 April 2011