GRP-ID Annual Postgraduate Conference 2018/2019

Thursday 13 June 2019
9.30am – 5.00pm
University of Warwick
Oculus Building, Room OC 1.08

What is it that people most want in life? What are their hopes and expectations? Global surveys show people of all ages, genders and nationalities list ‘an honest and responsive government’ among their top three priorities. The other two priorities that regularly top the list are ‘a good education’ and ‘better healthcare.’ Hence, people clearly want not just that their politicians deliver development, but also that they can be held to account. Democracy, good governance and development are intertwined in a hopeful way.

However, the practice is less encouraging, and people are increasingly disillusioned with regard to those issues. Although people still tend to support the abstract ideal of democratic governance, world-wide there is increasing dissatisfaction with how democracy is working in practice. Democracies don't necessarily perform better compared to dictatorships. Moreover, there is growing support for strong, authoritarian leaders. Populist leaders capture voters with a narrative mixing xenophobia with promises to boost economics grown and development. This gap between the optimistic theory and the more doubtful practice raises profound questions for scholars to consider, such as how can politics play a role in realising people's hopes and expectations?

See here for the programme of this exciting conference on reviving the dream of democracy and development.

There will be a drinks reception after the keynote address.

ALL WELCOME!!

Entrance is free but please register below for the conference.

Visit here for more information: www.warwick.ac.uk/grpidpgconf19