ISA Working Group 01 Sociology on Local-Global Relations International (Interim) Conference on Geopolitics, Media, and Nation States: Local and Global Dynamics, New Delhi (December 2-6, 2025)

Geopolitics is a multidimensional concept. The fundamentals of geopolitics begin with the unique imperatives and constraints of nation-states. They involve looking at all the attributes that affect a country or a region and dissecting each piece to better understand its implications. The overall geopolitical picture of a country depends on the patterns of interaction and integration of elements like geography, politics, economics, military, technology, and culture. The term geopolitics refers to two types of conflicts: external or international geopolitics (generally diplomatic or armed conflicts between two or more states, usually concerning maritime or land borders) and a state’s internal geopolitics (many conflicts, civil wars, guerrillas, and political, ethnic, and religious battles occurring within a state). Both external and internal conflicts have some common aspects that are closely related and are characterized by a high level of violence and media coverage. The global media coverage of these geopolitical conflicts is not as systematic

as often thought. Sometimes, non-violent international crises and conflicts also occur, as in the case of the Belgian crisis (2011-12) or the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1992 have wide media coverage at the global level at times. Even the deadly conflicts do not get wide media coverage. Thus, the relationship between violence, high media coverage, and geopolitics is not absolute. The local geopolitical conflicts usually ‘make use of their network of influence, and generally non-violent demonstrations, or they resort to justice’. They clash during ‘public debates, electoral campaigns, or press campaigns and discrete negotiation’, The forces of globalization have created a global media system connecting every corner of the planet. The new communication technologies facilitated multiple digital platforms for communication. The innovations of smartphones/tablets/iPads empowered the common man to interact at the local, regional, and global levels. Thus, media coverage of internal and external conflict is not restricted but is open and wide. The distinction between mainstream media (mainly national and international television, newspapers, websites, etc.) and social media (different social networking sites, applications, and YouTube channels) is an important instrument in this context. While the mainstream media engages its audience through debates and repetition of programs at different time slots, social media focuses on an in-depth analysis of events and issues. Thus, several parallel media narratives are created to influence the masses on both internal and external issues that influence the social, economic, political, and cultural processes at local, regional, and global levels. The nation-states that lost their influence and power in the initial phase of globalization may recapture it either through changes in their national and international policies or through external geopolitical conflicts involving their allies in wars and military interventions. The interim conference aims to deliberate on these issues in detail. The subthemes of the conference are as follows:

i.               Geopolitics: concept, approaches, and attributes;

ii.              Geopolitics: External, internal, and local conflicts

iii.            Geopolitics and Urban Governance

iv.            Geopolitics and the Nation States

v.              Globalization and the Power of Nation States

vi.            Globalization and media narratives

vii.           Geopolitics and the patterns of media coverage in social media

viii.         Democratization, Modernity, and Territorial Variations

ix.            Globalization, Geopolitical Conflicts, and Modern Nation States: Continuity and Transformation;

x.              Global Communication System and Geopolitics

xi.            Geopolitics and the changing world order

xii.           Geopolitical analysis of community structure and Electoral Behavior: Local dynamics

xiii.         Crisis of Modernity and Changing World Order

xiv.         Neo-Imperialism and the Nation States

The above sub-themes are only indicative. Other themes related to the main topic of the conference will also be considered.

Special Session on “Building Better for Women in a Post-Covid World: Marginalized Communities and Women’s Struggles, Efforts and Lessons” organized by Dr. Nelly Vuyokazi Sharpley –South Africa Project Action and Change Leader for building better for women –University of KwaZulu-Natal. (Abstract of Paper -  by 15^th October 2025)

Language: English and Hindi Deadlines:

(a) For sending Abstracts (word limit 400 words: Times New Roman; 12 points; in Word file format only) by foreign offline (in person) presenters: by 15 October 2025;

Full paper by 31 October 2025 (Times New Roman; 12 points; in Word file format only). The acceptance letter for publication (in two volumes) of the selected papers shall be sent after the Conference.

(c)    All the Foreign delegates must submit the registration form and passport details at the earliest but not later than 15 October 2025 to the official email of WG01: presidentwg0123.27@gmail.com so that political clearance can be obtained from the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India in time.

Abstracts with title and keywords should not exceed 400 words. Additional requested information should include: name(s); affiliation(s); and Email of all the authors. Abstract and Full Paper/Abstract should be sent to:

Prof. Virendra P. Singh, President WG01 and Organizer of the Conference & Chairman, GREFI; Former Professor of Globalization and Development Studies, University of Allahabad, Prayag Raj, India (2010-2021); and Former Professor of Sociology, Assam University, Silchar, India; E-mail: presidentwg0123.27@gmail.com; etdrvps@gmail.com;

Contact: +919235608187 (WhatsApp); +919936868187;

Prof. Virendra P. Singh

Organizer of the Conference

Registration Fee

For Foreign Delegates (without accommodation)

Non-member ISA                      Member ISA/WG01/Member National Association of ISA

Category A*     USD 200                                  USD 150

Category B**    USD 150                                  USD 100

Category C***  USD 100                                  USD 75 

For General Delegates from INDIA (without accommodation)

Non-member ISA                      Member ISA/WG01/ISS

3500                                         3000

For Student Delegates from INDIA (without accommodation)

Non-member ISA                      Member ISA/WG01/ISS

2500                                         2000

(Registration fees include: conference fees, conference materials, scheduled meals, and a copy of the printed conference abstract book). Bank transaction details: Registration Fees are to be paid through online transactions in favor of “Virendra Pal Singh” SB-Account No. 14621000001117, HDFC Bank, Pallavpuram, Meerut Branch (Branch code: 1462), Meerut, INDIA (IFSC Code: HDFC0001462, Swift code. (HDFCINBB), UPI: etdrvps@ibl