International Conference on Politics and Political Culture
21-22 December 2014.
Venue: ***** Hotel Le Meridien Wien, Opernring 13-15, 10 10 Vienna, Austria
RATIONALE
Politics makes our daily lives whether we are aware of it, or not. From social policies (e.g. financial help during unemployment, health insurance, etc.) that directly affect our wellbeing towards political decisions on foreign interventions and alliances, politics forms our daily lives. On the other hand, the notion of political does not stop in the realm of policymaking but also reflects in statements politicians make as well as in their party programmes. Because of the economic crisis, the Far Right re-gained power in many countries, but the Far Left also became more exposed in the public sphere offering criticism of current policies. Both Far Right and Far Left offer particular set of values and it seems as if central political positions are diminishing because people are turning towards finding the scapegoat by blaming those they consider as responsible for the crisis be it the so-called neo-liberal policies or immigrants. Religion has seemed to grow as strong as ever, and this also brings tensions because immigrants are often considered to be more religious than the hosts and religion is seen as too influential in policy making (i.e. in organizing referendums that enforce religiously-conditioned views, or by directly participating in ruling the country in certain countries). All of this changes our everyday lives and brings uneasy tensions in already turbulent relations. It also brings questions on political culture, which apparently varies from case to case. However, to what extent are we different, and how politics shapes our everyday lives?
A selection of photos is available in the gallery below:
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