Une séance dans le cadre du groupe de recherche Migrations et mobilités 

Authoritarian Citizenship: A Paradox ?

Speaker: 
Diana Fu, University of Toronto

Abstract:
The concept of citizenship has long been associated with democratic states. Yet, ordinary people in authoritarian states also engage in a range of citizenship performances, from begging officials to intervene to protesting for rights.   How should we conceptualize authoritarian forms of citizenship?  What does it mean to be a “good citizen” versus a “bad citizen” in France and China?   Taking China as a country case study, the presentation will focus on what it means to be a “bad citizen” in the world’s most powerful authoritarian state.  Based on a study of televised confessions in contemporary China, the study  interrogates why authoritarian rulers produce ritualized public confessions.   These televised confessions reveal how the state constitute and propagate images of undesirable citizens—political dissidents, petty criminals, and other boundary-pushers.  The seminar invites participants to engage in an open-ended discussion of citizenship practices in comparative perspective: is authoritarian citizenship truly a paradoxical concept? 

Introduction on authoritarian citizenship by Chloé Froissart, Université de Rennes 2 and Hélène Thiollet, Sciences Po - CERI / CNRS

Discussion of “good" versus “bad” citizenship in comparative perspective by Nonna Mayer, Sciences Po - CEE
 

The seminar will take place at CERI, 56, rue Jacob - 75006 Paris - Room Jean Monnet (GF)

Responsables scientifiques : Hélène Le Bail, Hélène Thiollet, Catherine Wihtol de Wenden, Stéphanie Latte