Abstract
Polarization, exclusion of minorities, distrust about established institutions and norms and; consequent rise of authoritarian leaders, trends of centralization and declining impartiality of state institutions are prevalent features of recent time in many societies throughout the globe. This particular type of democratic backslide has largely been studied either at state or at individual’s levels. The third level—international system/global power structure—however, has been ignored despite the fact that the phenomenon is global in its character as it affected societies throughout the globe. Therefore, the phenomenon has been studied in relation to determining effects of changes in nature of global order and ensuing policies of super power(s) with regard to its global engagement in military and economic affairs. The underlying assumption is that the power not only compels less powerful to mould outward behaviour but it also possesses innate quality of influencing societies intrinsically through a particular discourse. A particular discourse may sensitize a particular segment of the society and thus could shape the expectations into a particular trend. So, the study is an attempt to explain the gradual development of a discourse of exclusion in relation to factors which operate at global level. It is concluded that limitation on choices (for citizens) set by global order and nature of global engagement of the super power facilitated a discourse of exclusive nationalism; technological changes gave the discourse a populist touch and generated demands for its assertive expression finally; the discourse gained momentum with changes in power relations at global level.
Presenters
Sagheer Ahmad KhanAssistant Professor, Political Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Democratic backslide, Global, Discourse, Power-relations
