Current Call For Papers
Starting Over: Mass Politics and the Future of the Left
Organizing Committee: Carlo Fanelli, York University; Francesca Gabbriellini, University of Bologna; Luca Mandara, University of Naples Federico II; Marco Marrone, University of Salento; Salvatore Prinzi, University of Naples Federico II; Heather Whiteside, University of Waterloo
When: May 27-30, 2025
Where: University of Naples Federico II, C.so Umberto I, 40, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy
From the economic downturn of the early-2000s, to the Great Recession and COVID-19 crisis, the last twenty-five years have been characterized by mounting economic volatility and accompanying political unrest. While precipitating this period, the broadly defined “left” has increasingly shown itself to be a spent force – either unable to convince the masses that real alternatives to market rule do exist, or abject failures in their ready willingness to reproduce the status quo. The decline of organized labour as a social and political force, combined with social movements’ recurring inability to scale-up demands, has exacerbated the decoupling of class from political identity. In its place, the radical right has thrived as evinced by the mainstreaming of neofascist politics, rise of authoritarian populisms and accompanying assault on democratic rights and freedoms. Despite a working class larger and more heterogeneous than ever, a yawning chasm now separates the left from working class politics. In this void have flourished deepening forms of anti-politics, from political disengagement to acquiescence of authoritarian rule. How has the working class and left been transformed? What accounts for the growing divide? What is the next new left project? And how can left movements challenge wider forms of depoliticization?
Alternate Routes and the University of Naples Federico II invite individual paper and panel submissions for our conference and special issue Call For Papers. Topics may include but are not limited to: Inequality and (De)Democratization; Left Economic Policy and Labour Market Restructuring; War, Imperialism and Colonialism; Race, Gender and Other Disparities; Austerity and the State; Climate Change; Digital Labour and Platforms; Unions and Social Movements; Populism and Political Realignment; Global Governance.
To submit your proposal, please click HERE. A selection of papers will be considered as part of a special issue publication of Alternate Routes: A Journal of Critical Social Research. Conference Registration Fees: Permanent Faculty €200; Contract Faculty and Graduate Students: €150. Inquiries can be sent to: editor@alternateroutes.ca
The DEADLINE for conference submissions is December 1st, 2024
The DEADLINE for paper submissions is September 1st, 2025
