Call for Papers: Orthodox Christianity and Politics in XXI century

ECPR General Conference, Wroclaw, 4-7 September 2019

After the fall of communism, we have witnessed the resurgence of religion in the dominant Orthodox Christian countries across Eastern Europe. This process, among other things, brings back dominant religious communities, namely autocephalous and autonomous Orthodox Christian churches, to the public sphere. Due to its historical, cultural and above all political role in these countries, it is logical to presume that Orthodox Churches have certain influence in the political processes which took place in these countries. However, there is an obvious lack of studies in this field. Aim of this panel is to offer comparative and in-depth analysis of the political role of Orthodox Christian Churches in XXI century.

Therefore, this panel will examine the political role and influence of the Orthodox Christian Churches in both domestic and international politics in XXI century. We are interested in receiving papers dealing with, but not limited, to the role of Orthodox Christian churches in the democratization processes, international politics, national debates on LGBT rights and gender issues, rise of right wing movements, populist politics and authoritarianism. Moreover, we are interested in receiving papers dealing with Church-state relations in the dominant Orthodox Christian countries, as well as specific issues such are recent autocephaly demands. We are particularly interested in receiving comparative papers addressing one of the above mentioned topics; however, we will also welcome case-study papers. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are welcomed.

Please send you paper proposals, followed with abstract up to 250 words and 4-5 keywords, to Marko Veković (marko.vekovic@fpn.bg.ac.rs) no later than February 15th 2019.