International conference: 'Authoritarian Populism and the Rural World' (abstract deadline: 15th November 2017)

The Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI) focuses on understanding the rise of ‘authoritarian populism’ in rural settings across the world, as well as the forms of resistance occurring and the alternatives being built. New exclusionary politics are generating deepening inequalities, jobless ‘growth’, climate chaos, and social division. The ERPI is focused on the social and political processes in rural spaces that are generating alternatives to regressive, authoritarian politics.

The Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI) focuses on understanding the rise of ‘authoritarian populism’ in rural settings across the world, as well as the forms of resistance occurring and the alternatives being built. New exclusionary politics are generating deepening inequalities, jobless ‘growth’, climate chaos, and social division. The ERPI is focused on the social and political processes in rural spaces that are generating alternatives to regressive, authoritarian politics.

In debating these themes, this international conference will contribute to ERPI’s aim to provoke debate and action among scholars, activists, practitioners and policymakers from across the world who are concerned about the current situation, and hopeful about alternatives.

Confirmed plenary speakers include:

• Michael Watts, Professor Emeritus, UC Berkeley
• Dzodzi Tsikata, Director, Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana
• John Gaventa, Director of Research, IDS
• Katherine Cramer, Director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service, Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Burak Gürel, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Koç University
• Eduardo Gudynas, Centre for Development and Environment, UIO
• Issa Shivji (tbc), Prof Emeritus, Public law Department, University of Dar es Salaam
• Raj Patel (tbc), writer, activist and academic

Call for paper abstracts (deadline: 15 November 2017): Collaborations between researchers and activists are especially invited. Suggestions for presentations in diverse media and formats, not just standard academic paper formats, are welcomed.

 

Please find further information here.