Abstract

In public statements, politicians tend to stress the universalistic outlook of their aims and policies. In contrast, my current project focuses on the role that particularistic benefits and favours play in established democracies and how fiscal austerity may affect this type of political behaviour. The talk will discuss patterns of particularism that characterize the relationship between party politics, state administration and voters and draw on examples from several European countries.

Short CV

Isabel Kusche received a doctorate in sociology at the University of Bielefeld in Germany in 2008. Subsequently, she has worked as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Kiel and the University of Osnabrueck. She has been an AIAS Fellow since October 2015. Her research focuses on political communication and the (re-)production of political power in contemporary democracies.

Isabel Kusche's project at AIAS.

What is a Fellows' Seminar?

The AIAS Fellows' Seminar is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellow or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, one fellow will present and discuss his/her current research and research project, closing off with a question and discussion session.

All seminars are held in English and open to the public. Registration to the seminar is not necessary. Read more about the AIAS Fellows' Seminar here.