Participation and Resurgent Authoritarianism: African and International Perspectives and Experiences

A global tide of authoritarianism now poses challenges to established democracies even in the developed states. Countries on the African continent have had a historical trajectory of colonialization which has, in many cases, resulted in present day practices that are undemocratic and unjust. Despite this there has always been a countervailing tendency towards democracy. Civil society and trade unions, for example, continue to challenge the undermining of democracy and/or public participatory practices, which are being replaced with small to large acts of authoritarianism and autocratic leadership, within contexts in which leaders are ‘democratically’ elected. The resurgent authoritarianism coupled with the tendency towards democratic participation needs to be discussed in comparative perspective; as universally, human and constitutional rights continue to be violated in democracies. Like Africa, other countries too experience authoritarian leadership amidst increasingly difficult socio- economic circumstances, war, corruption, xenophobia, populism, social anomie and political disarray. This session will concentrate broadly on historical, current and future perspectives, and actual experiences and comparisons between and amongst countries. Interested presenters should submit abstracts that pay particular attention to the resurgence of authoritarian practices, intersectionalities and efforts to reinvigorate social movements.