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Neuenburg 10/10
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Universität Genf; Universität Neuenburg, Neuenburg
14.10.2010-15.10.2010, Universität Neuenburg
Deadline: 15.12.2009
The label Made in Switzerland has been carrying multiple values for a
long time. In international trade it is a brand for high quality,
constructed on the basis of a tradition of technological know-how and
merchant aplomb. In international relations Switzerland presents itself
as a promoter of “good-offices” and humanitarian concerns and therefore
illustrates an example of neutrality and diplomatic mediation. As a
nation state, Switzerland, being one of the oldest democracies in the
world, it represents the model of a “political nation”, that
demonstrates cohesion and stability despite linguistic and religious
differences. In all domains the label Made in Switzerland conveys a
specific image, which – for some – illustrates a normative ideal,
whereas – for others – it symbolized a nation where profits, interests,
and personal networks define moral standards.
We understand the label Made in Switzerland as the dispositive that
guides the construction and perception of a specific “Swissness”, both
inside and outside the country. This raises the question of what
relationship there is or is not between the label and the historical
reality. Four types of relations are possible. First, the label can be
an accurate image of historical Swiss specificities. Second, the
generalizations carried by the label might be at the origin of a
symbolic reduction of concepts, in which case the label is a myth (i.e.
it is too simplistic and therefore gives an erroneous account of a
complex reality). Third, usurpations of the label not only lead to
re-definitions of concepts but also to utilitarian applications of an
ideology that serves the interests of certain stakeholders. Fourth, by
re-defining concepts, the label itself is a constituent element of the
construction of a new reality.
A thorough, polysemous appreciation of the label Made in Switzerland
has, to our knowledge, never been carried out, even though it appears to
be a key, constituent element of the image and the reality of
Switzerland. By holding this conference we want to encourage researchers
to redress this deficiency. Made in Switzerland can be analyzed as a
dispositive within any historical research specialization, including
political, economic, social, military, and cultural history. However, we
propose to go beyond a simple listing of the constituent elements of the
label, in order to investigate the conditions of its emergence and
perpetuation, its practical functioning, and to assess the relationship
between the label and historical reality. We suggest to approach “the
making of Made in Switzerland” from the following three perspectives.
MADE IN SWITZERLAND: A REALITY? - The first axis of analysis adopts a
vision of Made in Switzerland as a possible reality. In this approach
the conceptual discussion of the phrase is secondary to the study of its
factual appearances in the history of Switzerland and the world. Aiming
at a comparative historical epistemology, the scientific committee will
accept presentations that cover long periods, from the early Middle Ages
to the present. In order to multiply the angles of incidence, we welcome
contributions about political, economic, social, cultural, military, and
intellectual approaches to the label Made in Switzerland. Proposals
might focus on topics such as - the invention of Swiss quality norms and
the impact of their implementation on the development possibilities for
the Swiss production apparatus; the making of the Swiss mercenary
troops’ reputation as a high quality good; the emergence of the concept
of neutrality and its exaltation to the status of a maxim; or the
advertising of the banking secret as an axiom of liberty rather than a
means for tax evasion.
CONSTRUCTION AND DIFFUSION OF THE MYTH - Made in Switzerland is not a
given: it is socially constructed and constantly redefined according to
specific historical conditions that must be closely examined.
Investigations into the processes that led to the constitution and the
acceptance of the myth Made in Switzerland are pertinent. How did
distinct political, economic, social, geopolitical, and environmental
contexts shape the acceptance of its imagined version? In what way did a
consensus emerge around the constituent characteristics of Made in
Switzerland? Were there concurrent versions of those characteristics
accepted today and, if yes, why did they change? What role did the
archeology of winding around oral tradition and biased written sources
play in this genealogy of Made in Switzerland? The question of the modes
of diffusion of Made in Switzerland is also of great importance. How was
the label diffused on the local, national, and global levels? Can
underlining the role played in such processes by political, economic,
social, cultural, military, and intellectual networks help overcome the
dialectic between micro and macroscopic dimensions?
FABULA FABER – The two poles of Made in Switzerland are not independent.
They stand in a reciprocal causal relationship. We must therefore
reverse the prospect and reflect on the ways in which the myth impacts
on the (re-)construction of reality. How can a reputation of excellence
become an unavoidable requirement? Through which processes can a norm be
constructed and applied? In comparison to a self-fulfilling prophecy,
the analysis of the representations’ incidence on reality might
contribute to a richer understanding of the relation between reality and
representation. What are the social functions of a perceived national
knowledge, know-how, or identity community? We are particularly
interested in papers dealing with the impact of the myth and the various
shapes it takes according to the identity of the talking person or the
addressee.
Abstracts of 250 words must be submitted before December 15th 2009. The
conference will be held on October 14th – 15th 2010 in Neuchâtel. We
particularly encourage PhD students and young researchers to submit
proposals.
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Réseau Inter-universitaire d'Historiens
Espace Louis-Agassiz 1
2000 Neuchâtel
info.rih@gmail.com
Homepage <http://www.rih-info.ch>
URL zur Zitation dieses Beitrages
<http://hsozkult.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/termine/id=12629>
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