Nationalism Studies Public Lecture Series: Oliver Lauenstein: Grundrisse of Nationalism: Outlining a Critical Meta-theory of Nationalism and Gender

The Central European University
Nationalism Studies Program

cordially invites you to a lecture by

 Oliver Lauenstein

 University of St Andrews (UK) & Universität Göttingen (Germany)

Grundrisse of Nationalism: Outlining a Critical Meta-theory of Nationalism and Gender

There are almost as many nationalism theories as scholars in the field, so one could ask, whether one does need yet another model of nationalism, let alone a new theory. In my talk, I will argue that a form-critical perspective based on the Marxian value-form critique as developed by Postone’s (1991) in his critical rereading of Capital and Grundrisse, or by the German groups krisis and Exit! can indeed offer new insights into nationalism. I suggest that in analyzing the underlying forms of modern society: value, subject and law, plus their separated moments (Wertabspaltung; Scholz, 2005; 2010) a holistic model of nationalism is possible. This model, which I would describe as an ‘Imagined Family’, encompasses both spheres typically associated with masculinity (politics, economy and the public) as well as their feminine counterparts (family and the private sphere), thus including a critical, feminist perspective taking up on the work of Yuval-Davis (1997) and Enloe (1989). I will conclude my talk by presenting a content analysis of contemporary national anthems and their use of family metaphors as a means to create particular national narratives, providing initial empirical support for parts of my model.

Tuesday, 29 November at 5 p.m.
Gellner Room, Monument Building

Oliver Lauenstein, doctoral candidate is currently finishing his PhD in Social/Political Psychology at the universities of St Andrews (UK) and Göttingen (Germany), being supervised by Prof. Stephen Reicher, Prof.Margarete Boos and Dr Jeffrey Murer. His primary field of interest is the discursive formation and negotiation of social identities as well as their symbolic representation (e.g. in songs or poems). Oliver's thesis is investigating the use of family metaphors (e.g. fatherland) as part of national(ist) discourse and their effect on individual national identification and investment. As part of his research project he has looked into the intersections of nation, family and gender as intertwined social structures, which he has also presented during several student organized lecture series for example the 2010 "Körper-Macht-Sex" series in Jena. He is also a lecturer for social and organizational psychology at the University of Göttingen.

A reception will follow