The Poznan branch of Polish Sociological Association, The Institute for Western Affairs and the Institute of Sociology at Adam Mickiewicz University invites applications for the conference: The “next step” in the development of the civil society in Central and Eastern Europe? to be held at the Institute for Western Affairs, Poznań, Poland, 4-5 December 2014.
The civil society as a concept was revitalized in the 1980s. The reason for this rediscovery was related to the phenomenon of the social conflict which had escalated in the Central and Eastern Europe in the end of the so called real socialism. Paradoxically, what liberal theorists named social citizenship actually emerged in the context of this historical period The next period - the systemic transformation - was the time of decline of the social activism). Ten years later Polish researchers described this phenomenon as the “social non-movement” construct. This non-movement was a kind of social reaction brought about by the deregulation tendencies and the weakening of the modern state. The new phenomenon was in extreme opposition to the mass movement observed just fifteen-twenty years before.
The proposed conference will be devoted to the discussion of this “next step”, and next periods in the evolution of the civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. In particular the conference agenda will focus on the following subjects:
1. The description of the evolution of self-organization in particular societies in Central and Eastern Europe;
2. The description of barriers to the articulation of interests by the non-governmental actors: social movements and organizations;
3. The description of the new kinds of social activism with special focus on social movements like urban movement, indignant movement, etc.;
4. New political phenomenon in relation to the national identity with special focus on the phenomenon of “flower”, and “colour” revolutions, and contemporary examples of political self-organization Maidan protest movement and the pro-Russian movement in Ukraine.
Papers presenting theoretical perspectives and empirical studies are both welcome.
Language of the conference is English
Important dates and submission guidelines
Deadline to submit proposals/abstracts: 31 August 2014
Proposals should include:
Title of proposed presentation
Abstract of proposed paper (no more than 300 words)
Name(s) of presenter(s) plus position and/or title
Employer / affiliated institution
Contact information including e-mail address
Short self-description of presenter(s)
Submit proposals via:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kBVkRNAGgerh7CFRi0cFUwiQbnwuE2ZPYC3n86
C0yPQ/viewform?usp=send_form
Contact e-mail: csconference@iz.poznan.pl
Proposals will be reviewed and successful candidates will be notified by 30th September 2014.
The conference fee will be 50€ for participants from the EU, and 25€ for those coming from non-EU countries.
Employer / affiliated institution
Contact information including e-mail address
Short self-description of presenter(s)
Submit proposals via:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kBVkRNAGgerh7CFRi0cFUwiQbnwuE2ZPYC3n86
C0yPQ/viewform?usp=send_form
Contact e-mail: csconference@iz.poznan.pl
Proposals will be reviewed and successful candidates will be notified by 30th September 2014.
The conference fee will be 50€ for participants from the EU, and 25€ for those coming from non-EU countries.
