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Call for Papers Theme: Demodernization Subtitle: Perspectives and Approaches Type: Interdisciplinary Conference Institution: University of Montreal Bosphorus University Location: Istanbul (Turkey) Date: 21.–22.12.2015 Deadline: 1.5.2015 __________________________________________________ Various theories of modernization used to provide models for progressive transition from a “traditional” to a “modern” society. Among the criteria of modernization proposed by these theories, one finds development of a national identity as opposed to tribal or religious ones, increase in life expectancy, expansion of qualified manpower and relevant job opportunities, enhancement of social mobility and democratization of culture, and growth of science- and technology-intensive industries as well as growth of GDP and improvement of possibilities for self-expression. More recently, however, reverse processes have been observed around the world. This phenomenon – “demodernization” – manifests itself in lasting degradation of material, health, and cultural conditions in formerly “modernized” societies as well as in a return to ostensibly traditional ways of life and identities. Demodernization may also mean a deterioration of working conditions and employment opportunities leading to the impoverishment of the population, in aggravation of socio-economic disparities, and increase in the incidence of infectious diseases. Is modernization irreversible? The history of recent decades demonstrates that modernization does not depend solely on internal factors, i.e. states’ desire to modernize themselves but is subject to a variety of external pressures. If it used to be a universal right each country could take for granted, it has now become a privilege reserved for some countries while others, deemed “rogue” or otherwise recalcitrant, may face political and economic pressure or military attacks aiming to “demodernize” them. In this situation, a concept of demodernization proposes to explain societal changes not only in those spaces where its indicators were most obvious but also in a broader context of the contemporary world that experiences declining economic growth, rising inequalities and the transfer of the public domain to private ownership. Modernization and demodernization need not be mutually exclusive; both may take place simultaneously, stimulate each other, produce various hybrid forms within the same territory. Moreover, in dozens of seemingly modern societies one may observe both political demodernization with its references to divinely ordained rights or ethnic privilege, and economic demodernization embodied in the sharpening of inequalities. Who and what are the main protagonists of demodernization and does this phenomenon observed in widely different contexts have certain common traits? What are the motive forces and propitious conditions of demodernization? What are its protagonists in the public and private sectors? Finally, how can the concept of demodernization be used as an analytical tool? Or is it primarily a descriptive tool lending support to other paradigms? Junior and senior scholars working in different fields and geographic areas are invited to submit proposals for papers and panels (maximum 300 words) in English to [email protected] by May 1, 2015. Final papers of up to 10 000 words will be expected by December 1, 2015. The organizing committee includes: Prof. Jean-Marc Lévy-Leblond, Univesité de Nice Prof. Vadim Menzhulin, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kiev Prof. Yakov Rabkin, Université de Montréal (Chairman) Dr Hiroshi Suzuki, Institute of Developing Economies, Tokyo Prof. Hakam Yilmaz, Bosphorus University, Istanbul Nari Shelekpayev, Ph.D. Candidate, Université de Montréal (Executive Secretary) Contact: Nari Shelekpayev & Yakov Rabkin Département d'Histoire Université de Montréal 3150 Jean-Brilliant Montréal, QC H3T 1N8 Canada Phone: +1 514 431-2095 Email: [email protected] __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
