FIGHTING ILLIBERALISM: THE ROLE OF AWARENESS RAISING PROJECTS

Authors

  • BOGDAN MIHAI RADU Political Science at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania Author
  • Daniela ANGI Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54885/EYSN5383

Keywords:

illiberalism, Central and Eastern Europe, post-communism, democracy, awareness-raising project, civil society

Abstract

Illiberalism recently became a favourite catchphrase of several political actors around the world. Although not necessarily precise, the term conjures alternative understandings of democracy, by contesting the inherent need of a democratic political system to be intimately tied to liberal values. This lack of precision is often instrumentalized to boost popular support for taking measures leading to discrimination and resisting or even fighting pluralism. This text aims to familiarize the reader with the existing conceptual debates surrounding the concept of illiberalism, while also offering a glimpse into the causes responsible for its popularity. Theoretical knowledge is then juxtaposed with information regarding an awareness raising project aiming to fight illiberalism in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The conclusion stresses the need for communication and education campaigns regarding the perils of illiberalism, especially in the more fragile democratic contexts of post-communist Europe. Citizens need to be aware of how illiberalism endangers democracy, as well as have at their disposal mechanisms for raising awareness regarding illiberal measures taken by various governments.

Author Biographies

  • BOGDAN MIHAI RADU, Political Science at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania

    PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. He is a senior lecturer in Political Science at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania. His research interests revolve around issues interconnecting religion and politics.

  • Daniela ANGI, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

    Researcher at Babeș-Bolyai University. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Institute of
    Philosophy and Sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland. Her main research topics include civil society and the related issues of social capital and civic engagement, youth activism and educational policies. Most of her research activity and publications revolve around the impact of values on civic participation and the construction of civic values through socialization within family and school-settings.

AUBSPxxiii2_21-6

Published

2024-08-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2021): Analele Universității din București. Științe Politice

Section

Academia and Civil Society