Call for Papers "Private Military Companies and Global Civil Society: Ethics, Theory and Practice" Interdisciplinary Conference KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) 14-16 July 2005
While the history of mercenary forces stretches back at least 4000 years, recent events in Africa, Iraq and elsewhere have highlighted the fact that private military forces are now being employed to a degree that is arguably unprecedented in the era since the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Also unique is the degree to which 'Private Military Companies' (PMC's) are demanding recognition as legal and morally legitimate entities. These developments raise important moral, ethical, and policy questions. Despite this, there has been little focused attention on this phenomenon, nor has there been any sustained investigation into the relationship between Global Civil Society and Private Military Companies. This conference provides a forum for an interdisciplinary engagement with this important topic. Papers on related topics will also be considered for inclusion in the conference programme. Likely conference speakers include: - Doug Brooks (International Peace Operations Association) - Kevin O'Brien (RAND Europe) - MB Ramose (University of South Africa) - Joseph Runzo (Chapman University and Clare Hall, Cambridge) - Nancy Sherman (Georgetown University) Negotiations with other possible keynote speakers are currently under way. Further details will be included in later versions of this call for papers. Submissions are invited from representatives of a broad range of fields, including (but not limited to) history, legal theory, international relations/strategic studies, philosophy and applied ethics. Submissions from representatives of NGO's, PMC's and other affected organisations will also be welcomed. Those interested in presenting a paper at the conference should e-mail a detailed abstract of approximately 1000 words, in Word or rtf format, to Deane Baker at [email protected], by the 1st of December 2004. Participants will be selected on the basis of the submitted abstracts. Abstracts should be submitted in a form suitable for blind review. The conference is being coordinated by Deane Baker (School of Philosophy and Ethics, University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Natashia Chhiba (Department of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand). Informal inquiries should be directed to Deane at the e-mail address listed above. Contact: Deane-Peter Baker University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Philosophy and Ethics Pietermaritzburg Campus Room 344a, New Arts Building Private Bag X01 Scottsville 3209 South Africa Phone: +27-033-2605582 Fax: +27-033-2605092 Email: <[email protected]> _________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org/ Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://agd.polylog.org/cal/
