[Commlist] CfP: Populism, Anti-Populism, Polarisation

*CALL FOR PAPERS*

*​*

*8th Annual Populism Specialist Group Workshop*

*​*

*Populism, Anti-Populism, Polarisation*

*​*

*19-20 September 2024*

*Democracy Institute, CEU, Budapest (on-site event)*

*More info here: *

https://www.psapopulism.org/events/2024-workshop-cfp 
<https://www.psapopulism.org/events/2024-workshop-cfp>



*​*

*Keynote Speakers:*

*​*

*Oliver Marchart *

University of Vienna

*Emilia  Palonen*

University of Helsinki

​

Contemporary societies are said to be characterised by increasing 
polarisation on almost every single issue – ranging from science and the 
vaccines, identity politics and intersectionality, the environment and 
climate change, truth and freedom of speech, to name but a few. The 
so-called truth or culture wars constitute the new norm, drawing new 
political antagonisms that cut across the classic left/right axis. A 
burgeoning literature suggests that polarisation has pernicious effects, 
not only on political party systems but also on society and, by 
extension, democracy. Reflecting the recent populist hype, polarisation 
is most often associated with populist leaders, parties and discourses 
that challenge the political and social consensus, mobilising negative 
affects and forming antagonistic partisan identities that transgress the 
established norms of liberal democracies.

However, polarisation is not a new political feature, nor is it 
necessarily intrinsic to the populist phenomenon as antagonism and 
conflict are seen as inseparable parts of the political. The same goes 
for political emotions – a core dimension of political conflict that has 
always been met with suspicion. While the role of populists in the 
politics of polarisation has been extensively studied, the role of 
anti-populists has been largely overlooked. This blind spot is 
significant, as understanding polarisation as a relational dynamic 
implies, by definition, that anti-populism also plays a prominent role 
in this divide.

We welcome critical and reflexive contributions that interrogate the 
dynamic between populist and anti-populist polarisation, and more 
broadly explore the rise of the polarisation narrative and how it can be 
connected to discourses on populism as an alleged threat to democracy. A 
non-exhaustive list of topics can be found below:

  *

    Critical perspectives on populism, anti-populism and polarisation

  *

    Populist/anti-populist polarisation across time and space

  *

    The role political elites play in polarisation and the impact they
    have on democracy

  *

    The relationship between conflict and democracy, and its
    interconnection with populism

  *

    Nuanced understandings of political affects/emotions that go beyond
    their stereotypical demonisation

  *

    Antagonism as an intrinsic aspect of collective identification

  *

    Contrasting constructions of ‘common sense’ as a source of antagonism

  *

    Converging and diverging antagonism (e.g. class, people-centric
    politics, nationalism)

  *

    The role the internet-sphere, memes, humour and technology play in
    polarisation between populists and anti-populists

Please submit a 250-word abstract by 17 May 2024 using this form 
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEEHV11-tzNVDTBNO0qpw6LWPlbBmCX2AwSO60uLP8EIURvQ/viewform>.


Read the call online here: 
https://www.psapopulism.org/events/2024-workshop-cfp 
<https://www.psapopulism.org/events/2024-workshop-cfp>



We will notify applicants by 28 June 2024.  We aim to provide feedback 
to those whose abstract is rejected.

​

The workshop is free of charge. However, applicants should make their 
own arrangements for transport and accommodation.

The Populism Specialist Group provides an inclusive, vibrant and 
critical space for dialogue. We highly encourage junior and emerging, as 
well as established scholars, from different fields, ethnic backgrounds 
and regions of the world to participate.

For more information, please contact Giorgos Venizelos 
[(_venizelosg /at/ ceu.edu) <mailto:(venizelosg /at/ ceu.edu)>_].

​

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