Advancing Human Rights in Post-Authoritarian Communities through Education

Abstract

For two decades now, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Russia, have been transitioning from authoritarian pasts to somewhat more liberal forms of social and political organization. The development of human rights consciousness confronts three core challenges posed by the legacy of twentieth century communism: associational life reduced to niche or clique; lack of trust; and discouragement of individual personhood. Practitioners can meet these challenges through a new approach to civic education. I show how, in four steps: (1) I propose human rights advocacy by means of a 'cognitive style', (2) deployed within civic education, (3) in ways that encourage civic participation. (4) I conclude by sketching three forms of a human rights cognitive style to spur civic education and participation: for professional activists; for non-professional community activists; and for educational deployment.

Going back to school: Engaging veterans’ memories of the Malvinas war in secondary schools in Santa Fe, Argentina

“…This connects with literature on education in post-authoritarian, post-conflict and divided societies that has regularly underlined the powerful emotional pressures placed on educators in the teaching of sensitive political histories (e.g. Charalambous et al, 2016;Charalambous, 2019;Gregg, 2015;Kello, 2016;Laketa, 2018;Subotic, 2013). In the context of Cyprus, research has shown how 'emotions and memories are "schooled"' in ways that can entrench opposing national discourses, whilst simultaneously impeding teachers' willingness and ability to explore alternative or more reconciliatory approaches to past and present conflicts (Zembylas et al, 2014: 78).…”

Might the bioethical principle of individual decisional autonomy have a politically liberalizing effect on soft authoritarian communities?

“…She may or may not be deeply alienated from the state and its political system. She may have withdrawn into a private niche to pursue consumerist individualism (Gregg, 2015). To be sure, this mentality is hardly peculiar to Singapore.…”