Thirty Years After – Post Communism, Democracy and Illiberalism in Central and Eastern Europe

• International Conference

• Faculty of History – University of Bucharest

• 09 – 11 October 2019

Thirty years after the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe will be marked by the international, multidisciplinary conference called Thirty Years After – Post Communism, Democracy and Illiberalism in Central and Eastern Europe, organized by the Faculty of History, University of Bucharest and its network of academic partners.

Conference rationale:

1989 was a turning point of the world history, having as trademarks the fall of the Iron Curtain and the opening of a new path for the Central and Eastern European countries. The downfall of communism brought about a difficult transition for the population, however, it opened the path to democratic regimes.

The collapse of communism in this region varied from a case to another and the consequences of this process can still be noticed to different degrees even today. Although most of the countries part of the former Soviet bloc are members of the NATO or of the EU and the democratic system in this area seemed to be a solid one, the last ten years indicated a declining trust of the citizens in political institutions and a degradation of political systems which keeps generating vocal manifestations of populism and  euroscepticism.

Topics:

We would like to invite scholars in History, Political Science, International Relations, Economics or any other related fields to an international conference about the way in which the fall of communism and its inheritance profoundly marked the evolution of Central and Eastern European countries in the past thirty years.

The aim of this conference is to analyze the causes and factors which made possible the rise of the regimes with such illiberal influences in the Central and Eastern European space. New methodological approaches are encouraged. Subject areas relevant to this conference may include, but are by no means limited to, the following issues:

• The causes and consequences of the downfall of communism;
• The events of 1989 which reshaped and transformed Europe;
• The post-communism in the Central and Eastern European space;
•  NATO and EU as democratization factors/organizations/ instruments;
• The civil society and its role in the past thirty years;
• The road from democray to populism and illiberalism.
•  Post-communist illiberalism – consequence of incomplete communist modernization vs. reaction to social decline in a globalized post-industrial society

The language of the event will be English.

Paper submission

The organizers expect that participants will present papers based on original research. Those interested should fill in and send the conference application form (see the end of this document).

The applications including paper abstracts of maximum 500 words and a short bio, will be assessed by the Scientific Committee of the Conference.

We intend to publish in 2020 a special volume including a selection of the papers presented at the Thirty Years After – Post Communism, Democracy and Illiberalism in Central and Eastern Europe conference.

Please submit the proposal form and the academic CV at the following email address: 30yafterconference@gmail.com

Timeline:

10th March 2019– Dissemination of the call of papers

25th June 2019 – Paper submission closing

10th July 2019 – Notification of acceptance

10th August 2019 – Registration form

09th – 11th October 2019 – International Conference

10th January 2020 – Final papers submission

Participation:

The Conference days are Wednesday 09^th till Friday 11th October 2019.  The Official Opening is scheduled on 09th October 2019 in the afternoon. Therefore, the selected guests are expected to arrive in Bucharest in due time. The Organizing Committee of the Conference will ensure accommodation for 3 nights, meals during the scheduled programme as well as coffee breaks and Conference materials. There is no participation fee.​

Travel cost is expected to be the participants’ contribution.

Keynote Speakers:

– Dr. Peter Siani Davies (University College London)

– Dr. Constantin Iordachi (Central European University Budapest/Vienna)

– Dr. Ana Adi (Quadriga University – Berlin)

Scientific Committee:

– Dr. Timothy Garton Ash (University of Oxford)

– Dr. Peter Siani Davies (University College London)

– Dr. Vladimir Tismăneanu (University of Maryland)

– Dr. Constantin Iordachi (Central European University Budapest/Vienna)

– Dr. Bogdan Murgescu (University of Bucharest)

– Dr. Virgiliu Țârău (Babeș Bolyai University)

– Dr. Florin Muller (University of Bucharest)

– Dr. Ana Adi (Quadriga University – Berlin)

– Dr. Dragoș Petrescu (University of Bucharest)

Organizing Committee:

– Dr. Matei Gheboianu, (Lecturer, University of Bucharest, Romania)

– Dr. Anita Sterea, ( University of Bucharest, Romania)

– Daniela Popescu, (PhD. Candidate, University of Bucharest, Romania)

– Silvia Baumgarten, (PhD. Candidate, University of Bucharest, Romania)

– Francesca Savu, (MA. Candidate, University of Bucharest, Romania)

– Dr. George Damian, ( University of Bucharest, Romania)

Proposal Form

Abstract:

On behalf of the Organizing Committee:

Dr. Florentina Nitu

DeanFaculty of History, University of Bucharest