No label defined (Q4544167)

This is the introductory chapter by its editors to a comprehensive volume on the evolution of the international mathematical research community 1800-1945 (see Zbl 0990.00012 for the entire collection). The editors give some methodological discussion of concepts such as ``internationalism'', ``internationalization'', ``transnationalism'' etc. Considering national organization of science and mathematics as a historical and logical prerequisite for ``internationalization,'' the authors argue that the year 1800 is the real starting point for the discussion because, not least due to the French Revolution, ``the nation state increasingly defined the primary venue in which scientific activity took place'' (p. 6). The editors also give short overviews or allusions rather to the various articles in their edition, which will be reviewed individually. The collection is based on a conference held at the University of Virginia 27-29 May, 1999, which was organized by the two authors of this introduction. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0990.00012].