Contestations of Citizenship in Times of Global Democratic Backsliding

The main aim of the summer course is to examine if, when, and how citizenship regimes are used by authoritarian and illiberal governments as a means of weakening the rights of undesired populations and to include targeted groups to strengthen the legitimacy and the power of the government. In addition to exploring citizenship politics and legislation in times of democratic decline, the course will also investigate the micro-politics of citizenship by looking into how individuals use, respond to, hijack, or ignore these policies. Throughout the course, cases from developed countries will be discussed along with cases from the Global South including India, the Middle East, and South America.

The summer course brings together nine leading experts in citizenship studies representing cross-disciplinary perspectives (political science, political theory, international relations, sociology, legal studies) and different world regions including not only the Global North but also countries of the Global South.

Topics in the course will include:

Democratic theory and citizenship

Citizenship and challenges to democracy

Analysing linkages between citizenship and political regimes

The weaponization of citizenship from a perspective of international norms

Citizenship inclusion and exclusion of temporary migrants

Citizenship in and after war

Citizenship and contested state-building

Dual citizenship as a geopolitical instrument

Ethnocratic regimes and citizenship

Case studies in citizenship policy reforms in times of democratic decline

Comparative analysis of citizenship policy in autocratic regimes

Course leader

Jelena Dzankic, Global Citizenship Observatory, RSC, European University Institute, Florence, Italy

Szabolcs Pogonyi, Nationalism Studies, Central European University, Vienna, Austria

Target group

The course intends to bring together graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, as well as junior faculty, researchers, and policy experts from the fields of political science, international relations, sociology, law, public policy, and political theory. We also accept applications from advanced undergraduate students who have adequate prior study or engagement experience on the subject and make a compelling case in their application/statement of interest.

Course aim

The main aim of the summer course is to examine if, when, and how citizenship regimes are used by authoritarian and illiberal governments as a means of weakening the rights of undesired populations and to include targeted groups to strengthen the legitimacy and the power of the government.

Credits info

1 EC
Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate of attendance is also awarded.

Fee info

EUR 300: payable until May 28

Scholarships

The Open Society University Network is offering scholarships on a competitive basis for currently enrolled students and employees of OSUN member institutions. If admitted, fee waivers are available for students of CIVICA institutions.