[STBI-190530] The emerging Vietnamese civil society since Doi Moi: new arenas to advocate for policy change.

Dear professors, lecturers, researchers, colleagues, and students,

You are cordially invited to the next UEH School of Economics STBI (Small Talks Big Ideas) seminar.

Topic: “The emerging Vietnamese civil society since Doi Moi: new arenas to advocate for policy change.”

Presenter: Sean Ghesquière (Ghent University, Belgium)

Time: 11:00 – Thursday, 30 May 2019

Venue: Room H.001, Campus H, UEH School of Economics, 1A Hoang Dieu, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

Language: Tiếng Anh

Abstract:

Before the Renovation policy of 1986, also known as Doi Moi, most scholars had no difficulty in classifying the Vietnamese political practice as a Marxist-Leninist one. Since 1986, state and society have reshuffled their cards. The Renovation has started off formidable changes for the Vietnamese state and society, as well as for state-society relations. Due to the influx of foreign aid organizations and businesses, Vietnam has encountered a rapid development with high GDP growth and the creation of a strong middle class. However, the new economic and socio-political ‘model’  that was meant by the policy has not steadied yet. Therefore, the debate between state and society remains afoot. In temporary Vietnam, there is increasingly more contestation between both actors since the legitimacy of the Vietnamese Communist Party is once more under pressure due to increasing wage differences, inflation, corruption, environmental pollution, etcetera.

During this presentation, several theories for a better understanding of the (Vietnamese) state-society dynamic will be explained, introducing the possibility for discussion on some present-day practical matters. Special attention will go to socio-political transformations in this setting, taking the historical event of Doi Moi as an example.”

About the presenter:

Sean Ghesquière is a master student Political Sciences at Ghent University, Belgium. He is conducting research for his Master’s thesis in Hanoi. He wants to gain insight on the consequences of Doi Moi policy on civil society and its ability to influence (state) policy