VAD e.V.

Joint Panel: VAD & Afrikanistentag

New Nationalism and Xenophobia in Africa?

Convenors: Norbert Kersting Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spambots geschützt! Sie müssen JavaScript aktivieren, damit Sie sie sehen können. Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spam Bots geschützt, Sie müssen JavaScript aktivieren, damit Sie es sehen können (Stellenbosch), Dirk Kohnert Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spambots geschützt! Sie müssen JavaScript aktivieren, damit Sie sie sehen können. Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spam Bots geschützt, Sie müssen JavaScript aktivieren, damit Sie es sehen können (Hamburg)

General aim and state of the art:

Rethinking nationalism on the occasion of the celebration of 50 years of African independence is the overall aim of this panel. As a result of globalization, the nation-state is said to be of diminishing relevance today. The global economic order with its novel information and communication technologies as well as transport systems has greatly enhanced the mobility of capital and labour. This has triggered international migration on an unprecedented scale. Conversely, national identities and local cultures are being reinvigorated. While strong nationalism may enhance in-group solidarity, it may - under certain conditions - also strengthen out-group hostility.

Citizens in most African countries nowadays seem to accept the concept of nation-state. Over the past fifty years most of them have developed a feeling of national solidarity and identity based on an imagined shared history and a common destiny. National symbols such as anthems, flags and soccer teams have fostered a 'banal nationalism'.

For a long time, a common language was considered indispensible in this strive for national cohesion and identity. Linguistic plurality was hold responsible for conflicts and lack of social solidarity, a ready-made marker for identification and exclusion of strangers - the same way as any other visible or audible personal difference.

To what extent do the new nationalisms of present-day African states differ from those of early independence? Do these new nationalisms support exclusion of immigrants and facilitate violent xenophobia? What are the economic, social and political repercussions? Why do traditional instruments of integration of foreigners in African communities fail and what can be an alternative? Does the example of South African with its violence against African immigrants refute the concept of multiculturalism. Could it be that in Africa, local and national identities are easier to establish than supranational ones? Are Pan-Africanism, African Union and African Renaissance dated elite projects, and how far are they backed outside African elites anyway? The above questions show that it is time for a re-evaluation of, reflection on and - perhaps - a redefinition of goals and strategies regarding African identities.

Dead-lines of submission of abstracts and papers:

We cordially invite all scholars to contribute to this panel with innovative contributions, preferably based on the authors’ own empirical research. The deadline for abstracts of paper proposals is 15 May 2009; papers should be submitted not later than 1 March 2010.