CfP: Conference “Evolution or Devaluation: The Problem of Democratic Order in Eastern Europe” (26-27 May 2017)

https://palityka.org/2016/04/prahrama-v-mizhnarodnaj-navukovaj-kanfjerencyi-instytuta-palitychnaja-sfjera-nacyja-padchas-kryzisu/2016-konfa/Political Sphere Institute (Belarus-Lithuania)
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Belarus
Polish Institute in Minsk
Belarusian Collegium
Institute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuania)
Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania)
Institute of Lithuanian History
VI Minsk Conference of the Political Sphere Institute
Evolution or Devaluation: The Problem of Democratic Order in Eastern Europe
Date: 26-27 May 2017
Applications accepted until 01.04.2017
The world has changed significantly over the past five to ten years.

The changes have affected not only financial flows and the organization of the economy, but have also led to a reassessment of political values and posed new challenges to democracy as an idea and a political model.

Discussions about decline, devaluation, crisis, and even the end of democracy have gained new force, fueled by growing skepticism and suspicion toward the political establishment, the rise of populism, right- and left-wing radicalism, and religious fundamentalism.

In more moderate forms, attempts are being made to rethink the evolution of democracy and to develop and stabilize a new democratic model.

The resilience of democracy has been called into question even in the countries of the European Union and the United States.

In addition, attention to human rights and democracy has declined significantly in the formulation of foreign policy.

Beyond the eastern borders of the EU, the growth of skepticism toward the democratic order and democratic values is becoming especially evident.

In some countries, such as Russia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan, there is a clear increase in authoritarian tendencies.

Attempts at democratic change and European integration in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have not led to obvious success, which has resulted in growing apathy and distrust among broad segments of society.

Against this background Belarus stands somewhat apart, where since 2014 gradual liberalization has been taking place, although it is still difficult to say how sustainable this trend will be.

The conference plans to address the following questions: What are the main challenges and prospects for democracy in Eastern Europe?

Is the understanding of democracy changing in the contemporary world, and can we speak of the development of a new model of democracy?

Can we speak of the political devaluation of democracy?

Do human rights and democracy continue to occupy an important place in the foreign policy of Western states?

Thematic blocks:
The development of political systems in Eastern Europe: main trends and challenges.

Populism, right- and left-wing radicalism, and religious fundamentalism in contemporary Europe.

The Belarusian experience of partial democratization and liberalization after 2014 and its prospects.

Challenges and prospects of democracy, the contemporary democratic model of Poland, Lithuania, and other Eastern European EU countries.

European integration and democracy in the era of Euroscepticism: the experience of Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.

Authoritarian and democratic tendencies in contemporary Russia.

Democracy, human rights, and the changing priorities of the EU, the United States, and international organizations.

Democracy and historical politics, manipulation of the past and memory in Eastern Europe.

The working languages of the conference are Belarusian, Russian, English, Polish, and Ukrainian.

To apply for participation in the conference, please complete the registration form (https://palityka.wufoo.eu/forms/the-6-th-conference-of-political-sphere-2017/).