Mini-Conference on Asian Political History

The discipline has experienced a revival in historical studies within comparative politics. These historical works are united by a dedication to employing the most effective tools of social science. Their aim is to study pivotal events in world history and understand their enduring impacts on contemporary politics. Within the realm of Asian studies, this literature often bifurcates, with scholars focusing on China and analysts examining the diverse political systems beyond China.

Building on the success of our first meeting in 2023 for gathering of the APSA Group on Asian Political History, we once again assemble five panels in a daylong mini-conference covering the many diverse aspects of Asian nation-states’ highly divergent paths to political and economic modernity.

Our panels feature scholars with diverse backgrounds representing various institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia. Specifically, we place emphasis on fostering opportunities for early-career scholars while striving to attain a gender balance. To this end, we organize five panels explore and pivot around broad themes of 1) colonial legacies in Asia, 2) state building and the role of minorities, 3) state building during challenging times, 4) state formation, and 5) the legacies of violence.