This public lecture brings together distinguished voices from the fields of political economy, history, and epistemology to reflect on the meaning of meaningful political participation in a society undergoing political transition and affected by conflict. Moving beyond narrow procedural understandings of political participation—limited to elections, representation, or public consultations—the discussion approaches participation as a struggle over power, knowledge, historical memory, social justice, and the material conditions that enable or constrain people’s ability to shape their collective future.

The lecture explores how Syrians can reclaim political agency after years of authoritarian rule, war, fragmentation, displacement, and economic dispossession. It also examines the role of alternative political pathways in fostering democratic futures grounded in dignity, equality, accountability, and justice.

Speakers: Samir Aita, Housam Darwish, Roula Bagdadi (On line)

Discussion Questions:

1. How do poverty, inequality, economic sanctions, war economies, patronage networks, and unequal access to resources shape Syrians’ ability to participate meaningfully in political life? Which groups remain excluded from such participation?

2. How can Syrians address the legacies of authoritarianism, violence, repression, resistance, and social fragmentation in ways that support democratic participation rather than reproducing fear, exclusion, or cycles of retaliation?

3. Who holds epistemic authority in shaping Syria’s political future? How can local, lived, and feminist forms of knowledge, as well as the experiences of marginalized and conflict-affected groups, contribute to reshaping political debates and democratic practices beyond elite-driven or externally imposed frameworks?

Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/83466521088

organizer

Institute for International Development

Contact

Rabie Nasser,
University of Vienna,
Institute for International Development,
+43 (0)1 4277 64127,
rabie.nasser(at)univie.ac.at