Globalization and Antisemitism(s): Social Movements and the Crisis of Modernity

Attention is placed on notions of contemporary forms of antisemitism(s) in the framework of how political, socio-economic, political and cultural forms are affected by processes of globalization, in relation to marginalization, the emergence of social movements that attack the democratic center, as a response to the crisis of modernity.  Themes to be explored include analysis, in relation to issues of power, the construction of identity (nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, community, notions of `Otherness’, migration); as well as social and protest movements.  The course will examine contemporary antisemitism within a conceptual and empirical framework.

Recently, issues such as nationalism and new forms of identity politics, have exacerbated existing social and political cleavages.  Among the causes of this emerging crisis are, the combination of the extension of the global competitive market and related effects from structural adjustment, the intensifications of social and economic inequalities, the blurring of international and domestic political conflicts, and the worldwide escalation of adversarial `identity politics’.  The role of the state, particularly in the realm of socio-cultural policies, has become less interventionist, as the functioning of free market economy and ideology becomes entrenched.  In the recent past, the state often played a key role in this context, intervening in terms of economic integration/marginalisation.  This relates to issues of national identity, cultural policy, notions of `Otherness’, belonging and citizenship.  Internationally, new tensions have emerged, drawing on old patterns of objectification of the Other.  In the era of globalisation, important processes are occurring, such as, a shift from nation-state to transnational financial institutions and the creation of supra-national political institutions.  Significant socio-economic, spatial and demographic changes are apparent.  As the repercussions of globalisation are evident, societies are becoming shared spaces of different levels of citizenship, and peoples with distinct destinies, resulting in greater differentiation.  Societies, in general, are increasingly divided in socio-economic, political and spatial terms.  The gaps between the affluent and deprived are expanding at alarming rates, threatening social cohesion.  It is within this context that we are witnessing a rise in antisemitism, as protest and social movements emerge; several of which use antisemitism as a core element of their ideology and political objectives.

Within the changing contemporary context contemporary antisemitism, or the ‘longest hatred’, is emerging as a complex and, at times, perplexing form of hatred.  It spans history, infecting different societies, religious and philosophical movements, and even civilizations. In the aftermath of the Shoah, some contend that antisemitism illustrates the limitations of the Enlightenment and modernity itself. Manifestations of antisemitism emerge in numerous ideological based narratives and the constructed identities of belonging and otherness such as race and ethnicity, nationalisms, and anti-nationalisms.  In the contemporary context of globalised relations, antisemitism has taken on new complex and changing forms that need to be decoded, mapped and critiqued.

This course examines an interdisciplinary approach to the study of contemporary antisemitism within a historic framework.  The course will assess extreme left, political Islam, right-wing and nationalist forms of antisemitism(s).  The main purpose of the course will be to explore and challenge these issues and debates, at both the conceptual and case study level.