society and politics
Ideological Trajectories: the New Dissidents
A series of discussions on the rise of anti-elite movements
Ideological Trajectories: the New Dissidents
Radical changes are taking place in political landscapes of Europe and the world. In the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Germany and the United States, new anti-elite parties and candidates with almost no background are gaining broad support and winning elections, and in general dictating the political agenda. Their positions are varied – leaning both to the left and the right; but they champion a common criticism against traditional elites who have lost touch with the majority of ordinary voters' concerns and interests. These new players have their fierce opponents, they are often called populist, there are public appeals for their exclusion from politics. After decades of skepticism and apathy, confrontation and passion are returning to the core of political life. The negative side of this trend towards highly conflicting identity politics is the narrowing space for conversation.

In this series we analyze without prejudice the ideological displacements in contemporary society and the grounds a series of prominent public figures find for them. Why do politicians and intellectuals active in the first years of democracy now rebel against European elites? What turns a convinced pro-European into an advocate of Brexit? What changes in recent years have made such ideological shifts possible? What does it cost to leave the comfort zone of your own reference group and does this make you a "new dissident"? Is this the end of liberalism's hegemony and the end of the "End of History"?

The series "Ideological Trajectories: the New Dissidents" is organized by The Red House in partnership with the Europe-wide network of debating houses Time to Talk.
Financial support
The series "Ideological Trajectories: the New Dissidents" is supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the OSIFE of the Open Society Foundations.
Events
12 June | Tuesday | 18:30 | bg | Pesha Nikolova hall | free entrance
People's Populism vs Elites' Democracy?
27 March | Tuesday | a conversation with Frank Furedi and Ivan Krastev | 18:30 | Red hall | En, Bg transl | Free entrance
THE SERIES "IDEOLOGICAL TRAJECTORIES: THE NEW DISSIDENTS" PRESENTS:

Dissidents Today – from Anti-Communism to Anti-Liberalism?
A CONVERSATION WITH DR NIKOLAY MIHAYLOV
4 Dec. | 18:30 | Red Hall | BG |Free entrance


Dr Nikolay Mihaylov is an analyst known for his often sharp critical positions going against established and prevailing beliefs. Over the years, his criticisms have been directed against both the left and the right in Bulgarian politics. Starting from his public positions, the conversation will focus on the significance of difference and disagreement in politics in the modern neoliberal age. Moderator: Iliya Valkov, journalist.
THE SERIES „IDEOLOGICAL TRAJECTORIES: THE NEW DISSIDENTS" PRESENTS:

The Crisis of Liberalism: a Conversation with Ognian Minchev

DISCUSSION
25 Oct. | 19:30 | Red hall | BG |Free entrance

Ognian Minchev is one of the key public intellectuals interpreting the processes of democratic transformation in Bulgaria since 1989. But with the onset of the so-called "refugee crisis" he has become increasingly critical of European Union policies. Is this the result of ideological repositioning or a rational political analysis?
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