Communities, Institutions and "Transition" in Post-1991 Eurasia
February 2-4, 2010
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies
Kolkata India
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies calls for papers for an international seminar to be held in Kolkata in February 2-4, 2010.
The seminar will deal with the negotiation of transition in post 1991 Eurasia. Generally, "transition" in the post Soviet context has been interpreted in terms of transformation to "market economies" and "democratic societies". However, in the Eurasian context it also implies a transformation of communities and institutional structures. While the extent to which the former has been achieved remains debated
it is undeniable that the last two decades have witnessed "transitions" in a number of crucial spheres. While some of these "transitions" have been reflected in policies and have therefore been institutionalized others still remain within the realm of perceptions. These range from changes in linguistic preferences, rethinking on
migration and minorities, reorganization of structures of governance or even renegotiation of identities and religious affinities.
This post-Soviet dispensation has been analysed in various ways. On the one hand, there is an attempt to problematise post-socialism taking into account abrupt socio-economic changes and studying them within the framework of Eurasia's social transformation. There are wide-ranging perspectives about adjustments within the
"post-socialist" world and the ways in which social transformation in Eurasia has affected the lifeways of post-socialist citizens. At the same time there seems to be a growing appreciation of the impact of socialism and an urge to examine socialist experiences. Taking into account the wide-ranging perspectives, it seems pertinent to ask the following questions:
* What "transition" implies for the region?
* How have various disciplines analysed "transition" ? In short, what are the transition debates in the post-1991 period?
* What are the continuities and discontinuities in the pre-1991 and post-1991 phases?
* How have communities and institutions reacted to these ruptures/processes?
The seminar will be followed by a symposium on Buddhism and Buddhist linkages.
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies will organize the seminar and symposium in collaboration with academic partners. A limited number of participants outside the collaborating Institutions will be invited. The Institute will be happy to sponsor local hospitality and economy class air-fare within India for selected
participants. Please respond within October 31, 2009 with a title, 500 word abstract and a brief one page CV to:
Suchandana Chatterjee (suchandanachatterje e@hotmail. com)
Anita Sengupta (anitasengupta@ hotmail.com)
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
