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December 12, 2005

“Spreading Democracy to the East and the Euro-American Partnership” Fletcher Alum and Karamanlis Chair Gives Inaugural Lecture

What does democracy mean to society, and how is its spread across the globe facilitated? This was the grand topic tackled by Dr. Dimitris Keridis in his inaugural lecture as the Constantine Karamanlis Chair in Hellenic and Southeastern European Studies on December 8.

“I believe that any successful strategy of engagement and democratic change should start with the understanding and acknowledgement of five basic and interrelated issues: history, religion, the limitations of power, perceptions, and interests,” Keridis said.

In his address, Keridis elaborated upon each of these issues, stressing the need for states to learn from their histories and acknowledge the long paths that have resulted in current democratic societies. He also explored recent shifts in approaches to diplomacy stemming from the rise of terrorism.

“The terrorist attacks of September 11 have naturally renewed interest in distant lands whose history, culture, and politics, stereotypes aside, have been more or less a mystery to most of us – and yet they have a bearing on our security and well-being,” he said. “It seems that, together with the Twin Towers in New York, old security paradigms have collapsed as well.”

These changes, according to Keridis, need to become the impetus for new, improved western policies toward eastern states. Understanding other societies’ cultures and religions can be a basis for reforms in western perceptions and in the directions of foreign policies.

“Islam has been systematically excluded and portrayed as alien and fundamentally anti-democratic or even anti-capitalist,” he said. Keridis, though, also stressed that “Islam is not inherently incompatible with democracy. On the contrary, there is a rich tradition of experimenting with democracy in Muslim societies from Indonesia to Turkey.”

However, he warned, “We cannot impose democratization abroad.”

Citing Europe’s “self-absorption” and the reluctance of the U.S. to recognize the importance of international cooperation, Keridis cautioned against a narrow vision in global politics.

“Globalization does not allow for insularity, and we must renew our efforts to learn more about the history and culture of distant countries and avoid easy labels and stereotypes,” he said. “The Fletcher School is ideally placed to serve this mission with the international orientation of its faculty and students.”

He later added, “Places such as Tufts and the Fletcher School are the very embodiments of our long Euro-American traditions of learning, tolerance, critical thinking and the Enlightenment. America’s leading universities are the envy of the world, the strongest source of soft power, the most credible and self-confident pillars of our Western civilization.”

Keridis, a Fletcher School alumnus twice over – he received his MALD in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1998 – has filled the Karamanlis Chair since the beginning of the fall semester, working alongside some of his former professors. His home institution is the Department of Balkan, Slavic, and Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Karamanlis Chair is named after Greek leader Constantine Karamanlis – the man who, according to CNN upon his death in 1988, “brought democracy back to Greece.” Between 1955 and 1995, he served as prime minister of the country, for a total of 14 years, and as president for 10, and he is largely credited with guiding Greece through its post-war years and with building a vibrant state and economy through his charismatic leadership. Karamanlis’ son Kostas is the current Greek prime minister – and the first Fletcher graduate to become a head of state.

The lecture was prefaced by a Greek-themed social hour and followed by a lively reception that featured Greek music, food, and drink.

By Stacy Reiter Neal, MALD '07

Posted by jessica at December 12, 2005 09:01 AM