Academic Workshop at the University of Cologne, 19-20 January 2015

CARPO organized this workshop in cooperation with Laila Al-Zwaini (Re:Orient) and Prof. Dr. Sabine Damir-Geilsdorf (Seminar for Oriental Studies, University of Cologne) in order to discuss with accepted participants the historical roots, notions and visions, as well as future prospects of and for the concept dawla madaniyya (usually translated as ‘civil state’ or ‘civic state’) in the Arab world. The term was one of the most often heard during the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings. Anti-regime protestors, regime supporters, intellectuals and academics of diverse social and political backgrounds, Islamic scholars (ʿulamāʾ), Islamist activists, tribal shaykhs, etc. all made use of this term when framing their demands for the creation of a new political system and a new social contract in their respective countries. Like any term used in such a ubiquitous manner, dawla madaniyya became a ‘floating signifier’ invested with multiple notions linked to the relationship between the governing and the governed, to justice, security, good governance, religion and state, etc. Its vagueness should not obscure the fact, however, that those actors involved in forwarding the concept have at times very clear visions of and ideas for a redefinition and reform of statehood and governance in their respective countries or for the region in general.

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