[Bilimsel Haber] Call for Papers: Imagining Democracy: Arab Spring, Asian Visions and Western Lessons (Groningen, Netherlands, 28.–29.11.2012)

[Gonul Pultar]

Call for Papers

Theme: Imagining Democracy
Subtitle: Arab Spring, Asian Visions and Western Lessons
Type: International Conference
Institution: Department of International Relations and International 
Organisation, University of Groningen
Location: Groningen (Netherlands)
Date: 28.–29.11.2012
Deadline: 14.9.2012


The recent Arab revolts brought about a period of dramatic political 
transformation across the Middle East and North Africa. It resulted in 
some (supposedly stable) dictatorial regimes crumbling in the face of 
popular protests, whilst other regimes desperately hang onto power 
through promises of democratic reforms. The choices and dilemmas of 
rapid democratic change have underlined the urgency to revisit our 
understandings of democracy, its relations to the socio-economic order 
of societies, and the implications for contemporary international 
affairs. The Arab Spring does not only pose challenges to the existing 
political and economic order in the region and the world, but also 
raises serious questions about how we imagine democracy. For the last 
two decades, many Western scholars have adhered to a solely liberal 
capitalist image of democracy, and in the West, this model of democracy 
(and its promotion) seems to have become an end in itself. Yet, this 
Western approach to democracy leaves some fundamental problems 
unresolved, like for example tensions regarding the nature of 
representation, the boundary problem as well as the potential tyranny of 
the majority – to name but a few. Furthermore, it is not at all clear 
that liberal democracy can live up to the claims made on its behalf, or 
that it can and should be exported to other parts of the world. This 
makes it all the more urgent to look at alternative conceptions and 
imaginations of democracy.

For this reason, this conference is looking towards the Middle Eastern 
and North African (MENA) region as well as towards Asian experiences of 
democracy. We wish to explore the parallels and differences between 
these alternative models of governance, including issues such as: the 
complex relation between collective / cultural / religious rights versus 
individualist rights, the difficult relation between the market and 
governance, as well as the different forms of authoritarianism and 
democratic governance. Hence, focusing on Middle Eastern, North African 
and Asian perspectives on democratic thought and practices, this 
conference will address, but is not limited to, the following questions:

- How should we imagine democracy? What are its proper forms and 
institutions? Can there be "proper" forms and institutions?

- What are the arguments against dominant democratic theories and practices?

- What are the different visions on democracy within the MENA region 
amongst the different actors?

- What are the different visions on democracy within Asia amongst its 
different actors?

- What is the influence of Asian governments on democratic developments 
in the other regions – and vice versa?

- What are the impacts of American and European democracy promotion on 
images and imaginations of democracy in the MENA region and Asia?

- What can Western conceptions and practices of democracy learn from 
Asian and Middle Eastern and North African experiences and thoughts?


Conference Registration Fee:

75EUR (academics and others in full-time employment), 50EUR (students).
The registration fee covers lunch, tea/coffee and conference meals.

Please submit your abstracts (max. 300 words) prior to 14 September
2012 to: iriolustrumconference2012 at rug.nl We are unable to cover the 
cost of transport or accommodation.
However, we might be able to assist participants in securing 
accommodation at reasonable rates near the conference venue.


Contact:

Dr Vivienne Matthies-Boon
Department of International Relations and International Organisation 
University of Groningen Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26
NL-9712 EK Groningen
Netherlands

Tel:             + 31 (0)50 3635985
Email: iriolustrumconference2012 at rug.nl