Techniques of resistance against authoritarianism

Peculiarities of the emotional impact of propaganda on society

Mykola — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:07:48 +0000

Peculiarities of the emotional impact of propaganda on society Mykola Thu, 02/29/2024 - 02:07

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Non-student author

Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Mykola

Last Name

Polovyi

Academic title

Prof.

Address

Bratislava, Slovak Republic

E-mail

322813@gmail.com

Phone

+380676852888

Institution/University

Comenius University

Co-authors

Iryna Matsyshyna, Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University (Ukraine)

Conference Panels

Techniques of resistance against authoritarianism

Paper/Abstract submission

The peculiarities of the promotion of the narrative of Ukrainian biological weapons by Russian propaganda during the Russian-Ukrainian war are investigated. The impact of such propaganda on public opinion is deconstructed. Measures to counter such propaganda by non-state research organizations and non-state mass media are outlined. It was determined that in the modern world, propaganda turns the real world into a fictional world. As a form of communication, propaganda seeks to direct the reaction and/or behavior of the subject. An important factor is that with the help of information that is promoted through certain technologies, an opinion that is important to the government is represented. Especially when this government is at war. And when the consumer of information receives a lot of information, he can not only understand the reality in which he is, but can also lose it. Therefore, at least two opposing points of view can form an information space, divide it and counterattack each other. As a result, confrontation between people will be established. In the war with Ukraine, Russia created a multi-level information space with hundreds of narratives on various topics, in each one the enemy – Ukraine – was marked. Undoubtedly, the goal of such a strategy is to justify a military invasion of the territory of Ukraine, and not only in 2022, but also in 2014. Propaganda narratives must also be thwarted by a multi-layered countermeasure, an important element of which is NGOs.

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The Intellectual History of Romanian Feminism From Early Transition to Democratic Deconsolidation and Illiberalism

Roxana _Dumitrache — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:31:58 +0000

The Intellectual History of Romanian Feminism From Early Transition to Democratic Deconsolidation and Illiberalism Roxana _Dumitrache Tue, 02/27/2024 - 12:31

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Student author

Author addressing title

Ms.

First Name

Roxana

Last Name

Dumitrache

Academic title

Other

Address

No 9 Magheru Street

E-mail

roxana.d.dumitrache@gmail.com

Phone

0723143843

Institution/University

SNSPA

Conference Panels

Techniques of resistance against authoritarianism

Paper/Abstract submission

My analytical study aims at mapping feminist ideas in their temporal and political context, following a series of fundamental landmarks focusing on the aftermath of the economic crisis of 2008 - 2010 when the anti-austerity mobilizations lead to a general socio-economic critique. My assumption is that year 2015 and the refugee crisis marked a repositioning of feminism at the European level and, in the particular case of the Romanian one, an additional opening towards social inequalities, poverty/feminization of poverty, class and ethnicity.

In this paper, in addition to clarifying the methodological perspective, I analyze what I call the second 'foundational' period of Romanian feminism - between 2018 and present. It is a redivivus – the second 'foundational' period of feminism in relation with the tendencies of democratic deconsolidation in Central and Eastern European as well as with the imperative of facing the political insurgency of illiberalism. In this new political context, which had as its decisive moment the constitutional referendum of 2018 regarding same-sex marriages, Romanian feminism preserved its diversity built in the previous period, but was forced to consolidate itself becoming, thus, one of the most assertive oppositional paradigms to illiberalism and democratic backsliding.

Key-words: feminism, illiberalism, civil society, deconsolidation, anti-austerity mobilization, democratic backsliding.

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Intellectual History of Romanian Feminism From Early Transition to Democratic Deconsolidation and Illiberalism.doc

Threats of Wartime Restrictions to Post-War Democracy in Ukraine

Mykola — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:51:53 +0000

Threats of Wartime Restrictions to Post-War Democracy in Ukraine Mykola Fri, 02/17/2023 - 02:51

Registration fee details

Non-student author

Author addressing title

Mr.

First Name

Mykola

Last Name

Polovyi

Academic title

Prof.

Address

Comenius University Bratislava – Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences
Mlynské luhy 4
Bratislava
Slovakia
821 05

E-mail

1@myko.name

Phone

+380676852888

Institution/University

Comenius University

Conference Panels

Techniques of resistance against authoritarianism

Paper/Abstract submission

The aim of the text is to assess the amount and essence of measures, connected with wartime restrictions, adopted in Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian war from February 2014 to January 2023. The period of study is divided into three stages – 1) from the beginning of the war till Covid-19; 2) the period of "semi-peaceful" Covid-19 restrictions (2020 – the beginning of 2022); 3) from 24 February 2022 till January 2023.
The main attention is given to restrictions of political activity including freedom of speech, the press, religion, association, public gatherings, protests in social media, possibilities, and confines for anti-Ukrainian propaganda.
Ukrainian data shows that neither the beginning of the war in 2014 nor the of the Covid-19 lockdowns couldn't bring the country to significant restrictions on democratic freedoms. All the time state authorities slowly go further to authoritarian-minded consolidation in front of the perceived danger of the political crisis. At the same time due to "off-line restrictions" during the Covid-19 period the trend of increase in the number of controversial decisions of authorities despite people's protests.
From 24 February 2022 Ukraine implemented martial law which entails a lot of restrictions on political activity. But at the same time, Ukrainian authorities made additional confines for pro-Russian minded forces. It looks relevant to the circumstances and is welcomed by Ukrainian society, but it should bring huge threats to the post-war democracy in Ukraine.

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The Return of Geopolitics: Empty UN Principles and Agreements Overlooking Geostrategic Thinking

brindusa_palade — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 12:03:19 +0000

The Return of Geopolitics: Empty UN Principles and Agreements Overlooking Geostrategic Thinking brindusa_palade Fri, 04/01/2022 - 15:03

First Name

Brindusa

Last Name

Palade

Institution/University

NSPSPA

Conference Panels

Techniques of resistance against authoritarianism

Paper/Abstract submission

The military crisis in Ukraine that began with the invasion of Russia on February 24, 2022 and the violation of many international principles of military conflict by the Russian Army, together with the energetic reshuffling of Western European countries against this well-armed rogue state have brought back the importance of geopolitics in a way almost as intense as during the Cold War. UN principles such as R2P (“responsibility to protect”) or Western promises to reduce carbon emissions have appeared empty when the military concern to avoid a larger scale conflict was embraced by many NATO allies as a priority. Furthermore, the energy dependence of some Western countries like Germany on the Russian gas imports by ignoring geostrategic realities has proven a liability, given the obvious Russian expansionism and its military and political efforts to destabilize the international order. This paper will try to propose a balance between high-minded international moral principles and geopolitical realism, with the aim to suggest ways in which institutions that adopt such norms and principles cannot be blocked by the political “inclusion” of actors that do not adhere to them. The UN Security Council, for example, should not have permanent members that violate human rights and international laws. Climate projects to reduce carbon emissions should take into account more variables than economy and environment, while not relying on a rather utopian peaceful cooperation between countries like Russia or China and Western and Central European states.

Keywords: geopolitical thinking, moral principles, international order, utopianism