Books by Isabel David
Ecological Solidarity and the Kurdish Freedom Movement: Thought, Practice, Challenges, and Opportunities, 2021
Ecological Solidarity and the Kurdish Freedom Movement examines the ideas about social ecology an... more Ecological Solidarity and the Kurdish Freedom Movement examines the ideas about social ecology and communalism behind the evolving political structures in the Kurdish region. The collection evaluates practical green projects, including the Mesopotamian Ecology Movement, Jinwar women’s eco-village, food sovereignty in a solidarity economy, environmental defenders in Iranian Kurdistan, and Make Rojava Green Again. Contributors also critically reflect on such contested themes as Alevi nature beliefs, anti-dam demonstrations, human-rights law and climate change, the Gezi Park protests, and forest fires. Throughout this volume, the contributors consider the formidable challenges to Kurdish initiatives, such as state repression, damaged infrastructure, and oil dependency. Nevertheless, contributors assert that the West has much to learn from the Kurdish ecological paradigm, which offers insight into social movement debates about development and decolonization.
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Discussions of the recent austerity measures in Southern Europe as a response to the sovereign de... more Discussions of the recent austerity measures in Southern Europe as a response to the sovereign debt crisis have been usually framed in terms of their economic impact. However, the general impoverishment of these countries has induced other massive social and political changes, a fact which is ignored in the literature. This volume seeks to fill this gap and break ground by analyzing these trends in the Portuguese context. These changes include direct democracy experiments, the growing influence of social movements (the massive March 2011 demonstrations were a direct inspiration for the creation of the Indignado movement in Spain, attesting the contagion effect), solidarity economy and the major political change in the country's 42 years of democratic rule: an alliance of the left parties, unthinkable before the crisis, and which is reframing relations with the European Union. This volume offers a first approach to the massive political, social and cultural transformations taking place in the country that make Portugal, in certain aspects, a lab for innovative practices (e.g. participatory budgets and the alliance of the left parties) that may be used elsewhere as alternatives to current understandings of economic and political orthodoxy
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In May and June of 2013, an encampment protesting against the privatisation of an historic public... more In May and June of 2013, an encampment protesting against the privatisation of an historic public space in a commercially vibrant square of Istanbul began as a typical urban social movement for individual rights and freedoms, with no particular political affiliation. Thanks to the brutality of the police and the Turkish Prime Minister's reactions, the mobilisation soon snowballed into mass opposition to the regime. This volume puts together an excellent collection of field research, qualitative and quantitative data, theoretical approaches and international comparative contributions in order to reveal the significance of the Gezi Protests in
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http://en.aup.nl/books/9789089648075-everywhere-taksim.html
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Call for papers by Isabel David
The series aims at launching new research on culture, society and political economy in Turkey fro... more The series aims at launching new research on culture, society and political economy in Turkey from both established and emerging scholars, with the goal of shaping the field. We are looking for original material from the areas of sociology, political science, anthropology, political economy and related fields, with a theoretical and empirical focus. As importantly, the series is also looking for translations from materials this far not accessible to the English-speaking audience.
The series includes edited volumes and monographs, with 90,000-100,000 words, with 3 titles a year.
All manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review in order to ensure the quality of the series.
Please send your carefully and professionally copy-edited manuscripts to both Isabel David (isabela_davidova@yahoo.com – preferred – or isabel.david@iscsp.ulisboa.pt) and Kumru F. Toktamis (kumru@pratt.edu).
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Book Chapters by Isabel David
Reparative Citizenship for Sephardi Descendants. Returning to the Jewish Past in Spain and Portugal, 2023
In 2013, in the midst of the economic crisis, the Portuguese parliament unanimously passed an ame... more In 2013, in the midst of the economic crisis, the Portuguese parliament unanimously passed an amendment to its law on nationality granting descendants of Sephardic Jews fleeing expulsion and forced conversions to Catholicism in 1496-1497 and the Inquisition (1536-1821) in Portugal the right to apply for Portuguese citizenship (Law 43/2013). The amendment entered into force in 2015 (Decree-law 30-A/2015). The measure has been officially portrayed and justified as reparatory justice.
In this chapter, we explore the historical trajectory of this “Law of Return”, its timing, the logics and socio-political configurations behind it. We argue that the Portuguese law (adopted almost simultaneously with a similar law in Spain) results from a neoliberal strategy of “nation branding” in a context of global capitalism and competition among states that articulates: 1) a shared belief since colonial times (and hegemonic discourse known as Lusotropicalism) among the Portuguese that Portugal is a tolerant country and 2) an instrumental use of citizenship by the Portuguese state. By reclaiming its Sephardic cultural heritage on the international sphere, the goal of this strategy is to reinforce the international competitiveness and image of Portugal in order to attract human, social and economic capital and address demographic issues.
The findings of this chapter are based on a qualitative research that includes interviews with Portuguese officials, members of the Portuguese parliament and Jewish community officials; discourse analyses of parliamentary speeches; statistics.
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In this chapter, I explore the role of Portuguese protest singers in helping overthrow the 1926-... more In this chapter, I explore the role of Portuguese protest singers in helping overthrow the 1926-1974 dictatorship. Using a cultural theoretical framework combining Stuart Hall (1932-2014) and Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), I contend that protest singers can be considered “organic intellectuals”, developing tasks of emancipation through an active role in society.
The Portuguese case contributes to literature on protest songs from six standpoints. First, it demonstrates how the opposition, particularly the Communist Party (PCP), instrumentalised music in their fight against the dictatorship through a planned strategy. Second, it exemplifies how singers shattered the hegemonic narratives of the propaganda apparatus of the dictatorship. Third, it illustrates the role of music in producing cognitive frames allowing the deconstruction of that propaganda. Fourth, it demonstrates the role of music as a societal and political changer, contradicting dominant conceptions that view sheer power or political parties as the main actors for that end. Music is a locus of contentious politics. Fifth, it highlights how music can be a tool for emancipation. Finally, it underpins the unique role of a protest song (“Grândola, vila morena”, “Grândola, dark-skinned town”) in initiating a revolution.
Despite the undeniable added value of the Portuguese case, it remains understudied. Given scarcity of research, my goal is that this chapter will provide insights into how music, if mobilised through a coherent strategy, can provide the resources for prompting regime change. The chapter answers two research questions: what is the role of protest songs in fighting unjust and oppressive regimes and narratives? How effective are protest songs in this combat? For reasons of space, I can only include a selection of the hundreds of protest songs produced during dictatorship. In the following, I begin with a theoretical discussion combining ideas from Stuart Hall (1967, 1980, 1982) and Antonio Gramsci (1994, 1999, 2001). Next, I discuss the emergence of the dictatorship and its control over Portuguese society. Subsequent sections discuss the emergence of protest songs and their impact in this period. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the efficacy of protest song in dismantling unjust narratives and regimes.
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Crisis in the Eurozone Periphery. The Political Economies of Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal, 2018
This chapter addresses the changes produced in the Portuguese political system in the wake of the... more This chapter addresses the changes produced in the Portuguese political system in the wake of the sovereign debt crisis. While in many European countries traditional political parties have lost a large share of the votes to anti-systemic parties, Portugal has bucked the trend. However, the crisis has produced a major political change, otherwise impossible, given past antagonisms. A Socialist minority government in now supported in Parliament by the other three left-wing political parties (The Portuguese Communist Party, the Left Bloc and the Greens). The alliance, in its second year at the time of writing, has been gradually reversing austerity measures, offering an interesting example of anti-austerity politics in (governmental) practice.
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Published Articles by Isabel David
British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 2019
This article explores the motivations behind the applications for Portuguese citizenship by Turki... more This article explores the motivations behind the applications for Portuguese citizenship by Turkish Jews since 2015. Based on a qualitative research, the findings highlight that obtaining a second passport does not yet equate emigration. Rather, it constitutes an insurance policy aimed at alleviating growing ontological insecurity, stemming partly from their secular and westernized lifestyle and from their Jewish identity, which are endangered by perceived de-secularisation, growing anti-Semitism and authoritarian trends in Turkey.
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Special issue of Turkish Studies, vol. 19, no. 5, 2018
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Books by Isabel David
http://en.aup.nl/books/9789089648075-everywhere-taksim.html
Call for papers by Isabel David
The series includes edited volumes and monographs, with 90,000-100,000 words, with 3 titles a year.
All manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review in order to ensure the quality of the series.
Please send your carefully and professionally copy-edited manuscripts to both Isabel David (isabela_davidova@yahoo.com – preferred – or isabel.david@iscsp.ulisboa.pt) and Kumru F. Toktamis (kumru@pratt.edu).
Book Chapters by Isabel David
In this chapter, we explore the historical trajectory of this “Law of Return”, its timing, the logics and socio-political configurations behind it. We argue that the Portuguese law (adopted almost simultaneously with a similar law in Spain) results from a neoliberal strategy of “nation branding” in a context of global capitalism and competition among states that articulates: 1) a shared belief since colonial times (and hegemonic discourse known as Lusotropicalism) among the Portuguese that Portugal is a tolerant country and 2) an instrumental use of citizenship by the Portuguese state. By reclaiming its Sephardic cultural heritage on the international sphere, the goal of this strategy is to reinforce the international competitiveness and image of Portugal in order to attract human, social and economic capital and address demographic issues.
The findings of this chapter are based on a qualitative research that includes interviews with Portuguese officials, members of the Portuguese parliament and Jewish community officials; discourse analyses of parliamentary speeches; statistics.
The Portuguese case contributes to literature on protest songs from six standpoints. First, it demonstrates how the opposition, particularly the Communist Party (PCP), instrumentalised music in their fight against the dictatorship through a planned strategy. Second, it exemplifies how singers shattered the hegemonic narratives of the propaganda apparatus of the dictatorship. Third, it illustrates the role of music in producing cognitive frames allowing the deconstruction of that propaganda. Fourth, it demonstrates the role of music as a societal and political changer, contradicting dominant conceptions that view sheer power or political parties as the main actors for that end. Music is a locus of contentious politics. Fifth, it highlights how music can be a tool for emancipation. Finally, it underpins the unique role of a protest song (“Grândola, vila morena”, “Grândola, dark-skinned town”) in initiating a revolution.
Despite the undeniable added value of the Portuguese case, it remains understudied. Given scarcity of research, my goal is that this chapter will provide insights into how music, if mobilised through a coherent strategy, can provide the resources for prompting regime change. The chapter answers two research questions: what is the role of protest songs in fighting unjust and oppressive regimes and narratives? How effective are protest songs in this combat? For reasons of space, I can only include a selection of the hundreds of protest songs produced during dictatorship. In the following, I begin with a theoretical discussion combining ideas from Stuart Hall (1967, 1980, 1982) and Antonio Gramsci (1994, 1999, 2001). Next, I discuss the emergence of the dictatorship and its control over Portuguese society. Subsequent sections discuss the emergence of protest songs and their impact in this period. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the efficacy of protest song in dismantling unjust narratives and regimes.
Published Articles by Isabel David
http://en.aup.nl/books/9789089648075-everywhere-taksim.html
The series includes edited volumes and monographs, with 90,000-100,000 words, with 3 titles a year.
All manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review in order to ensure the quality of the series.
Please send your carefully and professionally copy-edited manuscripts to both Isabel David (isabela_davidova@yahoo.com – preferred – or isabel.david@iscsp.ulisboa.pt) and Kumru F. Toktamis (kumru@pratt.edu).
In this chapter, we explore the historical trajectory of this “Law of Return”, its timing, the logics and socio-political configurations behind it. We argue that the Portuguese law (adopted almost simultaneously with a similar law in Spain) results from a neoliberal strategy of “nation branding” in a context of global capitalism and competition among states that articulates: 1) a shared belief since colonial times (and hegemonic discourse known as Lusotropicalism) among the Portuguese that Portugal is a tolerant country and 2) an instrumental use of citizenship by the Portuguese state. By reclaiming its Sephardic cultural heritage on the international sphere, the goal of this strategy is to reinforce the international competitiveness and image of Portugal in order to attract human, social and economic capital and address demographic issues.
The findings of this chapter are based on a qualitative research that includes interviews with Portuguese officials, members of the Portuguese parliament and Jewish community officials; discourse analyses of parliamentary speeches; statistics.
The Portuguese case contributes to literature on protest songs from six standpoints. First, it demonstrates how the opposition, particularly the Communist Party (PCP), instrumentalised music in their fight against the dictatorship through a planned strategy. Second, it exemplifies how singers shattered the hegemonic narratives of the propaganda apparatus of the dictatorship. Third, it illustrates the role of music in producing cognitive frames allowing the deconstruction of that propaganda. Fourth, it demonstrates the role of music as a societal and political changer, contradicting dominant conceptions that view sheer power or political parties as the main actors for that end. Music is a locus of contentious politics. Fifth, it highlights how music can be a tool for emancipation. Finally, it underpins the unique role of a protest song (“Grândola, vila morena”, “Grândola, dark-skinned town”) in initiating a revolution.
Despite the undeniable added value of the Portuguese case, it remains understudied. Given scarcity of research, my goal is that this chapter will provide insights into how music, if mobilised through a coherent strategy, can provide the resources for prompting regime change. The chapter answers two research questions: what is the role of protest songs in fighting unjust and oppressive regimes and narratives? How effective are protest songs in this combat? For reasons of space, I can only include a selection of the hundreds of protest songs produced during dictatorship. In the following, I begin with a theoretical discussion combining ideas from Stuart Hall (1967, 1980, 1982) and Antonio Gramsci (1994, 1999, 2001). Next, I discuss the emergence of the dictatorship and its control over Portuguese society. Subsequent sections discuss the emergence of protest songs and their impact in this period. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the efficacy of protest song in dismantling unjust narratives and regimes.
Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already established his place in history books, but the nature and the meaning of his legacy will be determined by researchers, intellectuals, scholars, and activists—people who observe, record, and study his leadership. In this special issue of the Mediterranean Quarterly—"Critical Crossroads: Erdogan and the Transformation of Turkey"—we attempt to join the arduous task of documenting and analyzing the decline of a twenty-first-century, democratically elected government into a domestically punitive and regionally aggressive authoritarian regime.