The Comparative History of Political Engagement in Western and African Societies

Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, this international network is based at the Centre for the Study of Democratic Culture (CSDC), University of Sheffield. Over the next three years (2010-2013), the network will foster interdisciplinary collaborations and research. Network partners in France and South Africa will work with the CSDC on several workshop meetings that will bring together academic and non-academic contributors. Our core aim is to demonstrate how historical and comparative perspectives on political engagement can address an issue of pressing contemporary concern: the limitations and frailties of democracy.

This website is an ongoing project. Throughout the network’s lifetime it will grow to include more resources, information about new collaborators and details of our activities as we plan them. The network intends the website to become a hub for discussing and disseminating ideas and research relating to political engagement.