University of Heidelberg

Date & Venue: Nov 27-28, 2009, Karl Jaspers Centre, Voßstraße 2, Building 4400, Room 112 

Organisator: Research Project A5 "Nationising the Dynasty"

Abstract: Nation states usually are the remains from large (and "transnational") empires under dynastic rule. Since the 18th century, these “self-fashioned” nation states have been able to mobilise more resources than empires ever had before, and thus they have become the prime model of government in the modern, globalised world – not least in Asia. Accordingly, hereditary rulers had to prove that they were the best advocate of the nation's cause – a claim that was somehow contradictory to a legitimacy residing in divine right and family tradition. The members of the Research Project study different aspects of the changes brought to France, England, Austria, Turkey, and China by the nationisation of their dynasties. This workshop is a first possibility to present and discuss their findings. Three experts have agreed to participate and offer their valuable input: Sven Externbrink of Universities Heidelberg and Marburg, Jeroen Duindam of Groningen University, Caspar Hirschi of Cambridge University and Peter Zarrow of Academia Sinica, Taipei.

For a detailed timetable please see the workshop programme... (PDF, 258 kb)