Researchers in charge of the project : Hui-yeon KIM (INALCO) and Sophie Coeuré (Université Paris Diderot, ICT)

How should we study the different ‘connected’ societies involved in the phenomenon known as ‘transnational’ mobilities? The metaphor of the network is often misleading and teleological in this instance and sometimes justifies the study of a process of internalization without either a specific object or limits. This criticism does not question the consideration of the specificity of certain flows and the logics of institutionalization they can trigger. However, the understanding of this ‘transnational’ level of action should not presuppose the importance of these links or their reciprocity. It cannot support a ‘globalization’ approach that is considered implicitly as a process of modernization. For this, it is necessary to reconstitute the space for manoeuvre of the actors (persons or institutions) that occupy this field and thus understand the system of organizations that shape it, from the local level to the international level. It is only in this context that we can understand the diversity of the constitution of specific (political, cultural and religious) transnational networks, the recognition of expertise and of original ideas.

Topics and associated scientific events

Religious Pluralism in Asia

With Delphine Allès (UPEC, LIHPA-PE), Claire Tran (Université Paris Diderot, CESSMA), Ji Zhe (INALCO), Kim Hui-Yeon (INALCO, CECO), Sébastien Billioud (INALCO, CESSMA), Florence Galmiche (Université Paris Diderot, CESSMA)

The Religious Pluralism in Asia group aims to analyse the networks of old and new religions both within and outside Asia. This will enable us to illustrate the role of ‘religious actors’ in the transmission of knowledge, the transformation of the territoriality of beliefs and cults, and the redefinition of individual and collective identities. The group plans to explore the question regarding the extent to which greater religious mobility can be a factor in the homogenization of orthodox doctrines and immobility through the reinforcement of a centralized power at the expense of alternative practices, or whether, conversely, extreme mobility leads to the emergence of a critical spirit, a hybridization and appropriation of texts and, accordingly, to the formation of new religious communities We also plan to organize a series of international workshops in partnership with colleagues from the National University of Singapore and the Research Institute on Contemporary South East Asia (IRASEC). These workshops will be mainly dedicated to three aspects of this ‘religious mobility’: the actors (specialists and lay people), the creation of texts and practices, and the constitution of new religious spaces in the context of a transnational and multi-sited approach.

Political Pluralism

With Frédéric BOZO (Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3, ICEE), Gabrielle Chomentowski (INALCO), Sophie Coeuré (Université Paris Diderot, ICT), Pascal Grouiez (Université Paris Diderot, LADYSS),  Catherine Poujol (INALCO, IFEAC Bichkek), Elena Smirnova (Université Paris Diderot, ICT), Anne De Tinguy (INALCO, CREE et CERI).

The Political Pluralism group is interested in questions relating to political pluralism, the diffusion of norms and the promotion of democracy. It proposes to approach these topics through the study of the increase in contact and networks between societies, the interaction between governments and societies, and individual itineraries, particularly those of dissidents. The perspective adopted by the group is comparative, multi-scale (western Europe, eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Mediterranean Europe, Africa) and multidisciplinary (with a particular focus on the link between the economy and politics).

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