Giuseppe Mazzini and the Globalization of Democratic Nationalism 1805-2005

An International Conference sponsored by the British Academy and the Italian Cultural Institute of London

The British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH

Wednesday 7 - Friday 9 December 2005

Convenors
Professor Christopher Bayly, FBA, St Catherine's College, Cambridge, and
Dr Eugenio Biagini, Robinson College, Cambridge

 PROGRAMME | ABSTRACTS

Over the past two centuries, nationalism has become one of the most influential ideologies in the world. Despite its emphasis on specific territorial or cultural allegiances, its rise has contributed to the 'globalisation' of political values. In particular, democratic nationalism has completely transformed our criteria of political legitimacy.

Although often ostensibly 'secular' and sometimes actively anticlerical, democratic nationalism has always been characterised by an emphasis on quasi- or pseudo-religious values and rituals, ideas of sacrifice and self-immolation, and prophetic leadership.

This conference will focus on one of the most influential among the prophets of democratic nationalism, Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872). Partly because he was genuinely internationalist in his concern for universal national emancipation, Mazzini had an enormous impact on successive generations of democrats and nationalists in Europe and in various other parts of the world. In spite of that, the scholarship on the great agitator is largely circumscribed to the context of the Italian Risorgimento.

Mazzini's impact on Britain, where he lived for a substantial part of his life, is relatively well documented, but needs to be revised in the light of recent developments in British social history. The same can be said of Switzerland, for instance. Moreover, Mazzini's enthusiasm for the idea of a united Europe (embodied in the 'Young Europe' movement) has generated claims that he was one of the fathers not only of democratic nationalism, but also of federal supranationalism. Much less well known is his influence on Indian nationalists and revolutionary thought in the Americas. Yet it is important to explore the terms on which Mazzini's ideas were received and transformed in these contexts and how its vision of liberal democracy was used to cross-fertilize other political cultures.

This conference aims to cast new light, on Mazzini's wider historical relevance by adopting a strongly comparative and interdisciplinary approach. Scholars working on different aspects of nationalism and democracy in various parts of the world will together explore the synergies activated by one of the most charismatic figures in modern European history. The conference will be a high profile cultural event which has already attracted the attention and support of the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Senate and the Office of the Presidents of the Italian Republic.

C.A.Bayly, LittD, PhD, FBA, St Catherine's College Cambridge
E.F.Biagini, PhD Robinson College Cambridge

The conference was held in association with