In memoriam I was terribly saddened to learn that Vesna Kesic, a remarkable Yugoslav and Croatian feminist from Zagreb, writer, activist, researcher, journalist, and friend, has just died, taken from us by COVID-19. The Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights had grasped Vesna’s presence well, tweeting: “Very sad to learn that intrepid feminist #HumanRights defender Vesna Kesic has passed away this weekend. She blazed a …
Turkey Poland, China, the United States and beyond In 2006, I published The Politics of Small Things. When I submitted the first draft to the University of Chicago Press, all of the chapters pointed to “the power of the powerless in dark times” (my subtitle). All my examples were progressive and secular, leading an anonymous referee to wonder: what about the politics of small things and the religious right? …
I’m a human rights lawyer, dissident, and scholar from China. In China, universities, schools and media are totally controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). There are many forbidden topics that writers, journalists and scholars cannot write about, report on, or even research, such as the Tiananmen Massacre, the concentration camps in Xinjiang, the corruption of top leaders, the crackdown in Hong Kong, and the persecution of Falun …
On the selective application of rule of law principles It is said that Russia has problems with its COVID-19 vaccine: they cannot maintain stability in production. Sometimes it comes out well, but only sometimes. But such a vaccine, to be useful, must be stable. Just as with the rule of law. If it is unstable, no one will buy it. The EU aims to put a halt to the …
This piece was first presented at the “Repression and Resistance: Inside and Outside the Academy” webinar organized by the New University in Exile on November 12, 2020. The webinar was focused on discussing the rise of authoritarianism, anti-intellectualism, and censorship globally, offering perspectives from Turkey, China, and Brazil. The presentations called attention to restrictions on academic freedom and free speech in each country, and highlighted strategies academics use …
More reflections on challenges of historical comparisons Donald Trump has been to the very end true to form, unrelentingly pursuing his self -interest and his inventive version of political reality, disregarding the principles of democracy. The “Reality TV President,” the grifter, the corrupt New York real estate developer has transgressed democratic norms and challenged democratic institutions, with ever increasing intensity, culminating with his refusal to accept clear and …
Channelling the grievances of women and of the LGBTQ community Protest against Poland’s new abortion laws held in Gdansk on 24.10.2020. (Source: WikiCommons) The pro-choice protests that started on October 22, 2020 are the beginning of a wider social movement channelling the grievances of women and of the LGBTQ community, as well as other marginalized groups in Poland, write Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer and Roch Dunin-Wąsowicz. What’s more, the protests …
Dignity, solidarity, and the reclaim of public space In August 2020, the citizens of Belarus started the biggest protest movement in the history of their country. Belarusians rose up in opposition to the results of a disputed presidential election in which Aleksandr Lukashenka allegedly received more than 80% of the votes. The elections were Lukashenka’s attempt to prolong his authoritarian rule. The first wave of massive peaceful protests …
We have much work yet to do The mainstream media—very cautious, very authoritative in such things—have now called it. The votes have been counted, and Joe Biden is now the President-elect. On Saturday night, he gave a Victory Speech, following a speech by his running-mate, Kamala Harris. I have been very cautious, very concerned that Trump might obstruct the electoral process and cling to power. I remain concerned, …
Reflections on the elections in the United States Finally, I said no to Donald Trump, clearly and consequentially. I have voiced my judgment over the past four years, and I have facilitated and organized others’ opinions, reports and analyses of Trumpism and global authoritarian trends here at the Democracy Seminar. Yet, a week ago, I exercised the real power of my vote. It was gratifying. And I didn’t only …
