Penser la pluralisation du monde social dans des espaces différenciés et autonomes qui sécrètent leurs propres logiques est l'une des fonctions centrales du concept de champ chez Pierre Bourdieu. Qu'en est-il dès lors qu'on déplace la problématique et la focale d'analyse pour s'intéresser aux échanges, connexions et circulations entre différents secteurs ? Pour certains chercheurs, le concept de champ est invalidé par l'existence même de ces relations transversales, lui préférant d'autres concepts topologiques tels que celui de monde ou de réseau. Tout en reconnaissant les limites du concept pour rendre compte des espaces hétéronomes et intersectoriels, d'autres préconisent davantage la complémentarité que l'alternative binaire. C'est dans cette seconde perspective que la présente proposition de panel s'inscrit explicitement. Nous insisterons ici sur les outils dont dispose le chercheur pour appréhender ce qui se joue à la croisée de différents champs.

CALL FOR PAPERS : ECPR GENERAL CONFERENCE, BORDEAUX, 2013

Section : Reviewing Social Order and Change: Field Concepts in Political Analysis

Panel : At the Crossroads of Fields. Defining Fields’ Boundaries Through their Intersections

Co-panel chairs 

• Viviane Albenga, ENS Lyon
• Elise Roullaud, Lyon II University
• Thibaut Rioufreyt, Lyon II University/ENS Lyon
• Discussant : David L. Swartz, Boston University

Submissions

Deadline for abstracts: 1 February 2013

• Please submit your paper proposal online through the ECPR website : http://new.ecprnet.eu/Events/SectionList.aspx?EventID=5
• Guidelines for proposing a paper: http://new.ecprnet.eu/Documents/Conferences/General/2014BordeauxPaperProposalInstructions.pdf
• Please send a pdf copy of your paper to the panel chairs : valbenga@yahoo.fr, thibaut.rioufreyt@sciencespo-lyon.fr, elise.roullaud@sciencespo-lyon.fr

Acceptance of papers will be finalised not later than 1 April 2013.

Panel Abstract

One of the main interests of Bourdieu’s field concept is to analyze autonomous and differentiated spaces which detain their own logics, values and norms. What happens when we aim at studying the exchanges, connections and circulations between different fields ? This problem raises a series of questions. To what extend does the field concept enable an empirical study of spaces situated at the intersection of various fields ? Reciprocally, how do these spaces inform us about the definition of fields’ boundaries ? We want to insist here on the sociological instruments which help to understand what definitions are at stake at the crossroads of various fields. With this end in view, papers based on empirical researches and methodological reflection will be privileged in the selection process.

How to comprehend the fields’ boundaries ? What is the process to define field’s boundaries ? This problem focuses on the actors and their resources to maintain, to reinforce and to try to challenge the field’s boundaries. To what extend the analysis of hybrid or heteronomous spaces helps to comprehend the elaboration of fields’ boundaries? We will pay attention to the cases of successful or failed challenges of field's frontiers, but also to the cases of reinforcement.

How can we follow the circulation of actors, ideas and resources from one field to another ? What kind of sociological instruments can be used to follow this circulation? Indeed, researchers face a main difficulty : how to describe the very circulation and not only the consequences of this circulation.

What are the brokers’ roles ? Which kinds of resources enable some actors to become brokers between two fields ? This question aims at bringing into light the specific trajectories of these brokers.