CFP: New Political Science

The Cuban Society of Philosophical Research, the Division of Philosophy and History of the University of Havana, and the Higher Institute of International Relations announce the Sixteenth International Conference on “New Political Science” and a philosophy colloquium to be held at the University of Havana from November 20 to November 22, 2013.  The conference is dedicated to the memory of the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution, Hugo Chávez Frías.

The New Political Science is being developed by Cuban and international professors affiliated with the Division of Philosophy and History of the University of Havana and with Dr. Thalía Fung, Head of the School of “Political Science from the South” of the University of Havana.  It is a transdisciplinary initiative, including scholars in political science, economics, history, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology.  It seeks to develop an analysis of international dynamics and global issues from the perspective of the global South or the Third World.  It endeavors to develop insights that are relevant to public policies and political strategies of the nations and social movements of the South.

Papers can be presented in English or Spanish.  The conference will be bilingual; members of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the University of Havana will provide simultaneous translations, in most cases, and consecutive translation, in some cases.

Paper proposals (in English or Spanish), including a paper title and a summary of 250 words or less, should be sent by October 15, 2013 to Charles McKelvey ([email protected]; [email protected]). Paper proposals sent prior to October 15 will be evaluated by the Organizing Committee as they are received, and a decision will be sent promptly.

Papers on the following themes can be included in the International Conference on “New Political Science”:

• The purpose, methods, and concepts of the new political science (or new social science, history, or philosophy) from the perspective of the South or the Third World; its role in the construction of a new society.
• The meaning of socialism in the second decade of the twenty-first century.  The various paths to socialism.  Political culture and political socialization in the period of transition to socialism.
• Conflict theory.  Significant conflicts in the second decade of the twenty-first century.  Conflict resolution: the role of negotiation in conflicts among the countries of the South.
• International dynamics and contemporary global issues.
• The relation between domestic policy and foreign policy.
• The political thought of Mao Tse Tung.
• The political thought of Ho Chi Minh and the Doi Moi policy of Vietnam.
• Regional integration: challenges and perspectives.
• The contributions of the Bolivarian Revolution to the political science from the South
• The contributions of Evo Morales, Inacio “Lula” da Silva, and Rafael Correa to contemporary political theory
• The contributions of the Cuban Revolution to the political science from the South
• Social movements of the North.
• José Martí and the political science from the South.
• The relation between philosophy and political science; between philosophy and social science.
• Corruption: History and mechanisms.
• Papers on other relevant themes will be considered.

The philosophy colloquium will include the following themes:

• Problems of the philosophy of education and its present challenges.
• Epistemology: the significance of atomic particles for scientific and philosophical knowledge.
• The biometric revolution.
• Environmental problems and their philosophical implications.
• Bioethics and the relation between bioethics and philosophy.
• The meaning of transhumanism.
• Political philosophy and its role in current scientific knowledge.
• Papers on other relevant themes will be considered.

The conference will be held from Wednesday, November 20 to Friday, November 22.  In addition, there will be two pre-conference workshops: (1) a Scientific Interchange between the New Political Science (of the United States) and the New Political Science from the South (of Cuba), Tuesday, November 19; (2) a philosophy workshop on methods in theory construction, Monday, November 18.  A program of

educational activities, such as visits to a school, labor organization, and women’s organization, will be offered in conjunction with the pre-conference workshops.

Anyone interested in the conference and/or the preconference workshops and program should contact Charles McKelvey at [email protected] or [email protected].

Participants and/or their institutions are responsible for payment for airlines, hotel lodging, and meals.  For more information on travel arrangements, contact Charles McKelvey ([email protected]; [email protected]).

For more information on events and programs in Cuba, travel to Cuba, and Cuban history and society, visit the Website of Global Learning: www.globallearning-cuba.com.

Organizing Committee: Cuban Members: Dra. Sc. Thalía Fung, President; Dra. Alicia Morffi García, Secretary-Treasurer; MSc. Alberto González; Prof. José Carlos Vázquez; Dra. Elsie Plain; Dr. Armando Cristóbal Pérez; Dr. Carolos Delgado; Dr. Juan Azahares; Dr. Juan Francisco Fuentes; Dr. José R. Díaz Ricardo; Dr. Sc. Rigoberto Pupo; Dra. Sc. Rita Buch; Dra. Magna Bauta; Doctorante José Fernández; Dra. Marta Pérez; Dra. Nancy López; Dr. René Márquez; International Members: Prof. Renée-Marie Parry (Germany), Inv. Kenneth Parry, England; Dr. Charles McKelvey, United States; Dr. Iedo Fontes (Brazil), M.Sc. Helena Uema (Brazil), Prof. Manuel Barbosa Filho (Brazil); Dr. Victorino Barrios Dávalos (Mexico); Dr. Hugo Cornejo (Mexico); Dr. Jorge Valmaseda Valmaseda (Mexico)