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Accepted Paper:
Local activism against extremism and radicalisation: the case from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
Alexandra Bitusikova
(Matej Bel University)
Paper short abstract:
The paper shows an example of local activism in the city of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. It is based on the example of a grassroots civic movement called Not in Our Town, which was established in 2013 after a shocking result of regional elections when a Neo-Nazi governor was legally elected.
Paper long abstract:
The paper discusses civic activism in the city of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, on the example of a grassroots civic movement Not in Our Town, which was established in 2013 after a shocking result of regional elections when a Neo-Nazi governor was legally elected. The paper demonstrates the development of this bottom-up built movement, its strategies, activities and achievements (mainly the defeat of the governor in the next elections). The paper focuses on young generation representatives, their views, motivations and aspirations and their ways to contribute to political and social change. It is based on a theoretical framework of new social movements and it shows some distinctive features of local activism in the region of Central Europe. On the basis of interviews with young activists it demonstrates the development of new civic activism that is crucial for strengthening democracy in the region.