We are interested in organizing several panels for the ISPP 2009 Conference in Dublin, Ireland and would like to encourage any scholars interested in the following topics to submit an abstract by December 15, 2008. If you need any additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact either of the panel organizers.
Section 6: Political Culture, Identity, and Language
Processes of change often referred to as globalization have a significant impact on the everyday experiences of individuals throughout the world. To the extent that these experiences contribute to particular individual and collective identities, we may be witnessing an unparalleled transformation in the fabric of political culture. While much research within political science and
psychology has focused on attitudes, value orientations, and political preferences, there has been relatively little research on the way globalization gives rise to unique political subjects and cultures.
The purpose of this panel is to bring together scholars interested in discussing theoretical and empirical innovations at the intersection of globalization, political culture, and subjectivity.
If you are interested in participating in this panel, please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words to the panel organizer:
Dr. Rolf Frankenberger
University of Tübingen
Institute for Political Science
rolf.frankenberger@uni-tuebingen.de
Section 10: New Theoretical and Methodological Developments
The idea of the subject has played a crucial role in politics and psychology. While other disciplines may explore the historical circumstances that give rise to modern political institutions or the economic conditions that favor one form of government over another, the concept of the subject enables political scientists and psychologists alike to focus on the psychological processes that contribute to specific interpretations of social/political reality.
Yet within political psychology, the very idea of the subject rarely undergoes significant scrutiny. This is particularly troubling as various conceptions of the subject may inadvertently support specific political institutions rather than serve as a point of departure for interrogating the dominant features of modern society.
The purpose of this panel is to bring together scholars interested in discussing the role that subjectivity plays in political psychological theorizing. In particular, we encourage proposals that draw attention to the concept of intersubjectivity.
If you are interested in participating in this panel, please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words to the panel organizer:
Dr. Michael Arfken
University of Prince Edward Island
Department of Psychology
marfken@upei.ca
2009 International Society of Political Psychology Conference
Dublin, Ireland
July 14-17, 2009
Panel Submission Due: December 15, 2008
kopfmaennchen 
BY DR. SUDHIR CHANDER HINDWAN
SENIOR LECTURER-GOVERNMENT COLLEGE FOR GIRLS,SEC-42
CHANDIGARH ( PANJAB UNIVERSITY CHANDIGARH ) INDIA
ADDRESS FOR COMMUNICATION=
DR SUDHIR CHANDER HINDWAN
# 1607-B, SECTOR=35-B
CHANDIGARH-160022
INDIA
TEL=00919815489280
shindwan@yahoo.com
schindwan@sify.com
ABSTRACT
Present world order is in the midst of a major transformation, largely on account of rapidly changing value system across the globe. Transformation is seemingly ubiquitous concept. Whilst some view it as a source of aggrandizement, others treat it as a disruptive process.
Despite years of concerted efforts to eliminate major threats, terrorism, caste violence and class violence have managed to taunt us time and again. It will certainly be naive if we blame others for the problems we face. To a great extent we are equally responsible for the mess. It is good to preserve one’s identity for maintaining our diaspora. But at times such efforts of preservation of identity, whether cultural, linguistic ,regional or religious damage the deep layers of our socio-political system. It is apparent from the kind of threat we are encountering so often. The world is also gradually witnessing the over expansion of a parochial version of faith and the desperate attempts of promoting it as the only pious one, but history bears testimony to the fact this has happened due to hegemony of the majoritarian identities and resentment of multiculturalism particularly on account of migration , the problem of refugees and search for survival in the competitive world order.
The research paper is an attempt to examine and analyse the concept of religious pluralism, its challenges, particularly the deadliest challenge of modern terrorism, its genesis and changing nature of the problem and its causes. Besides , the paper attempts to analyse and suggest:-
(1) some preventive methods for the removal of the grievances of the people, thus striking at the roots of the problem.
(2) security constraints in dealing with the problem of terrorism? In this regard a careful analysis of the causes of suicidal squad of terrorism could be great use.
(3) to answer the questions arising out of social pluralism.
(4) to find answer to the main question-why have been people searching for religious and cultural safeguards against the stark realities of hunger, deprivation and poverty?
RESEARCH PAPER
ON
PSYCHOANALYSIS OF THE QUESTION OF IDENTITIES AMONG REFUGEES
BY DR. SUDHIR CHANDER HINDWAN
M.Phil ( J.N.U, Delhi ), Ph.D (J.N.U, Delhi ), Post-Doc ( London)
( 42 Years )
SENIOR ASST. PROF- GOVERNMENT COLLEGE,CHANDIGARH PANJAB UNIVERSITY CHANDIGARH ) INDIA
Publications—More than 100
Research Projects Undertaken=3
Places Visited on Fellowships=London, Belfast, Londonderry, Denmark, Belgium
Earlier worked as=Sr. Lecturer & Lecturer-Govt. College, Daman under UT Government ( Selected by UPSC, Delhi ), Asst. Editor ( Editorial )=The Hindustan Times, New Delhi,
Fellow ( Research )=Center For Policy Research ( A leading Think Tank ), Research Officer=Rajiv Gandhi Foundation=New Delhi , Visiting Prof-Internal security academy, Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, India, Visiting Fellow-Magee College, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
==========================================
NATURE OF THE STUDY:—-
The number of atrocities against refugees over the year has shown an upward trend. These unfortunate brethren suffer not only from economic exploitation but also social discrimination. Despite various steps taken by the United Nation High commissioner for Refugees, there has not been any significant improvement in their conditions. Contrary to the claims made by nations about the distribution of resources for refugee welfare, extreme economic vulnerability has worsened their lot. UNHCR has made stupendous progress fighting for their rights and often shown the weaknesses in the implementation of programmes. Without attitudinal and long term structural changes which can offer them some form of employment, their conditions will not improve.The rapid increase in atrocities against the refugees, particularly in foreign camps, is mainly due to the delay in investigation and the partisan attitude of the local government machinery. Unless a significant change is brought about in the judicial system, particularly at the international level, efforts for improvement will be abortive. Women have increasingly been subjected to injustice and foul play. There are numerous cases across the globe of women being abused and raped by people who are supposed to protect them. According to the latest survey, over 70 percent of the 26 million refugees in the world are women and children. Thousands of people have been uprooted and displaced because of wars, ethnic conflicts, political views and religious differences.
The problem of refugees became pronounced after 1965 to a rapid increase in persecution, poverty, natural disasters and civil wars. Although most countries have faced the problem, it has assumed alarming proportions in Afghanistan, Rwanda, Vietnam, Bosnia, Cambodia, Burundi, Ethiopia, Sudan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Zaire, Bangladesh and South and Central America. Most refugees have taken shelter in neighbouring countries. For example, refugees from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have come to India and Afghan refugees mainly to Pakistan. Victims in African countries have taken refugee in Somalia, Kenya and Zambia.
India has been witnessing a tremendous influx after 1971, when a number of refugees fled from the then East Pakistan. About 50,000 refugees took shelter in Tripura in the wake of the clash between the Bangladesh authorities and the Shanti Bahani (a militant tribal movement started in 1973). A number of Chakma refugees took shelter in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. The recent, peaceful repatriation of 6,000 Chakma refugees to their homes in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tract is a welcome sign. Still, there are numerous refugees with no hopes of returning because of unstable conditions in their motherland. Delhi has more than 20,000 refugees of various origin.
About three million Afghan refugees have taken shelter in Pakistan since 1979. The serious problems in Kampuchea, Vietnam and Laos compelled people to seek refuge in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. At times serious problems of terrorism and political instability result. Refughees are also exploited for political and strategic gains by powerful syndicates. Afghanistan is a clear example of such a situation wherein refugees were misled and organized into a deadly force.
There are more than 10 million displaced people who have not yet crossed the border due to the complicated international legal system. It is a known fact that more than three lakh refugees in Thailand have not yet become the mandatory of the UNHCR mainly because of the political impediment. Lack of consensus at the global level on the definition of refugees has added a new dimension to the problem. Instances are many when refugees have been repatriated by the host countries. European nations such as Germany have enacted strict entry rules for refugees. The 1951 U.N. refugee convention defines a refugee as “a person fleeing from his or her country of origin because of the well-founded fear of persecution in a transfrontier position”. But, gradually, this definition became outdated and several changes and issues have been incorporated since then. It was amended in 1967 by a protocol.
The meeting of the Organisation of African Unity in 1969 proposed to include war victims in the definition. But the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees of November 1984 proposed to include the massive violation of human rights under the definitional frame work.
The 1977 Protocol suggested the inclusion of a framework of humanitarian laws to protect them but failed to provide an accurate definition. So far as protection is concerned, several suggestions have been put forward in various international meetings.Article 33(1) of the 1951 United Nations refugee convention provides some protective measures and says that refugees should not be repatriated. It has also been decided that there should be some kind of an international solidarity for providing asylum to refugees as this would help share the burden. Despite such conventions, the cases of refoulement has not disappeared. In the last few years, the emergence of “power refugees”( who have left their countries due to tough economic condition) has created serious complications. There is apprehension that their number may exceed the strength of the refugees of persecution and war. As a result, many countries have imposed stringent visa conditions. This is due to an alarming rise in the number of asylum-seekers.
Besides, the lack of proper infrastructure facilities for accommodation in the host countries has created serious problems. In this regard, a burden sharing approach among countries can yield positive results.Quite often, refugees are detained on the ground of apprehension. For example, many asylum-seekers were arrested and charged with illegal immigration in Thailand. Some were even detained for not having enough money to pay for their deportation, what with strict immigration rules coming into force in 1993.To avoid complications on judging the right status of refugees, some common minimum criteria should be evolved after carefully examining each case separately. The principle of non-refoulement is a right attempt. There have been instances when refugee camps were attacked by the armed forces of countries across the border. Adequate protection for such camps is an important issue that should get the attention of governments.UNHCR, non-government organizations and governments should work together to protect the interest of refugees, particularly women and children, and attend to their complaints. Although several measures have been suggested in international meetings and conferences implementation is not effective. The pathetic condition of refugees the world over shows inadequate safeguards and lack of appropriate institutional infrastructure at the implementation level. A humane and receptive approach involving educational facilities, jobs and the development of new channels of communication will give birth to a new system of status evolution and improve their conditions. But this change cannot come about by the attempts of international organizations alone. A comprehensive strategy involving mass awareness is needed. The prime concern should be to improve the economic status and reduce the feeling of alienation.
Purpose of Study :
The purpose of this study is to prepare an analytical inquiry of the problem of Refugees and analyse the role of government and civil society in handling the situation..Besides, the study will attempt to answer the following questions:-
(1) What are the areas of identity crisis among refugees? What are the basic causes of their inner alienation? What are the constraints in dealing with the problem of refugees? In this regard a comparative study of South-Asian countries could be of immense use. (2)What should be the nature of special rescue teams being involved in a contained operation.(3) How to protect the interest of refugees particularly women and children and attend to their complaint ? (3) Who are Power Refugees? How their problems can be addressed? (4) What should be the role international cooperation and humanitarian agencies?
Methodology :
Study will be based on participatory approach wherein lot of emphaisis will be laid on interaction with different scholars and expert in this area . In addition to this main thrust shall be on the collection and analysis of data available in primary and secondary sources. Moreovere,the authoritative reports,various manuscripts containing the problem of refugees will be analysed.
RELEVANCE TO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES :–
It is always intellectual establishment which provides theoretical rationale strategies. By pursuing study on Refugees the researcher will get wider exposure and opportunity to bring about comparative study of the nature and problem of Refugees and suggest some measures for improving situation.This effort would provide intellectual environment analytical and theoretical rationale for crisis management in India. The Study draws attention to the issues which deserve immense attention on part of international community.
keep me informed on upcoming conferences and seminars
DR Sudhir Hindwan
Professoe-Department of Political Science
Incharge-International Project” Management of Terrorism”