Identity, Citizenship
and Legal History
XXVth Annual Forum of Young Legal Historians
Brussels, 5 – 8 June 2019
(image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Historically, the concept of citizenship
encompassed three distinct, yet interconnected dimensions. The first and
foremost dimension was of a legal nature: citizenship was a legal status which
allowed one to act freely in accordance with the law and, when necessary, to
claim its protection. In its second dimension citizenship presupposed one’s
active participation in society’s political institutions. And last, though
certainly not least, citizenship was closely linked to membership of a specific
community that provided a distinct source of identity. All three dimensions
were closely related to each other. This can perhaps be most aptly exemplified
in the ancient boast of ‘Civis romanus
sum!’, which encapsulated simultaneously a plea for legal rights, a republican
sense of duty, and a distinctly Roman feeling of the imperial pride. Since the
nineteenth century, these dimensions have been linked predominantly to the
modern nation-state, a model which is nowadays increasingly challenged on the
internal as well as the external level. Internally, many states are seen to be
struggling with federalism, separatist movements, legacies of colonialism and
right-wing identity politics. Externally, today’s governments are confronted
with issues, such as climate change, demographic shifts, migration streams and
a global and interdependent economic system, that require international
cooperation or even supranational institutions.
The XXVth Annual Forum of the Young Legal
Historians aims to shed light on these questions by looking at the legal
history of the closely intertwined concepts of citizenship and legal history.
Throughout history, citizenship and identity has been defined in different ways
and at different levels. For instance, in antiquity the often smallish Greek poleis could hardly be compared to the
expansive Roman Empire. Medieval life in Europe consisted of a feudal patchwork
of kingdoms, principalities and free city-states, yet all were considered part
of Christendom. Identity could also be determined by social class (e.g.
aristocratic families) or by profession (e.g. the guilds). The nineteenth
century saw the rise of nationalism and revolution, whilst at the same time
European powers expanded their colonial empires. Despite these evolutions, it
cannot be denied that there is also much continuity to be found. Although
diversity and globalisation have reached an unprecedented scale and form today,
these phenomena are not entirely new. Each era has had its international
relations, its trades, wars, economic discrepancies, migrants and refugees.
There is, in short, enough reason to
expect that we can learn from history. Such an endeavour necessitates a
multidisciplinary approach since legal constructions can be fully appreciated
only when combined with insights from the related fields of history,
philosophy, political science and sociology. Therefore, the organizers welcome
both traditional approaches in legal history and methodologically innovative
research.
If you would like to present a paper during the conference, please send
an application including an abstract of not more than 250 words and your CV to aylh2019@gmail.com
before 15 February 2019. It is also possible to apply for a full panel.
In that case, your proposal should also include, in addition to individual
paper proposals, an abstract introducing the theme of the panel. Presentations
have to be in English and should not exceed 20 minutes each. The conference fee
will be € 100,- and does not include accommodation. Further information about
the upcoming forum can be found at the website
of the conference. Information about the Association
of Young Legal Historians and the past Annual Forums is available at the AYLH-website.
(Source: ESCLH-blog)
(Source: ESCLH-blog)
