Department of Anthropology Symposium hosted by The University of Sydney

Political symbols: forms, functions, usages | 9  Oct  2020

Theme and goals

In the present period of political instability and uncertainty, symbols of community and faction have regained public presence as tools for political manoeuvring and mobilisation. This is very noticeable in the abrupt resurgence of national symbols in the public sphere of many countries (for instance, national flags have suddenly become indispensible in the activities of some political actors, and the celebration national days is regaining [often polarising] public attention). But this phenomenon is also easily identifiable in many other expressions of political activity, ranging from struggles around the maintenance/removal of previously established symbols of community and/or faction (such as mausoleums or statues of political figures in public spaces) to the creation of new material symbols that facilitate collective identification and mobilisation.

We believe that these symbolic battlegrounds beg for a re-examination of important questions about political behaviour and communication, but also about the shaping of contemporary democracies and the power struggles of the future.

Against this general background, this Symposium pursues two interrelated goals: a) generate grounds for transdisciplinary insights into a research field that attracts scholars from all the social sciences; b) facilitate new insights into a topic to which anthropologists have made foundational contributions.

Registration includes certification of attendance (when requested); access to all regular and plenary sessions, and to the roundtable.

Register by 25 September

 For enquiries, contact:

– Luis Angosto-Ferrandez (email: luis.angosto-ferrandez@sydney.edu.au)