Each year, the Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict, and Justice welcomes several PhD Fellows.  Alexandre Pelletier joins us for 2016, and recently gave us his time to explain his fascinating research and provide some advice to undergraduate students.  Thanks, Alexandre!

Alexandre Paquin-Pelletier

Alexandre Pelletier

1. Tell us about yourself.

I have always been interested in understanding how different people can live together peacefully, build friendship and mutual understanding. When I first travelled to Southeast Asia, I was struck by just how diverse this region of the world is. I very quickly became fascinated by this region’s rich history and welcoming people. As a PhD candidate in political science, I am very fortunate that I get to combine my passion for a region with academic research.

2. What is your thesis on?

My dissertation tries to understand why some Muslim communities in Indonesia are more or less vulnerable to the rise of intolerant anti-minority mobilization. Based on fieldwork and historical research in Indonesia, I observed that the structure of Muslim associational life matters. When religious associations form networks that are tightly knitted, progressive Muslims are better able to prevent violent mobilization. But, when associational life is fragmented, it creates competition for access to the government. This competition, I observed, may lead to intolerance because it becomes a powerful tool for gaining attention. In sum, intolerance is a product of political dynamics, rather than ideology per se.

3. How does it connect to PCJ?

To understand the sources of moderation and radicalization is essential for the development of civic pluralism and the success of democracy in the Muslim world and beyond. Since intolerance is political, my dissertation has important policy implications. States should strive to allow the development of Muslim associational life, rather than trying to prevent it. Political interference, co-optation, and all the other strategies used by states to tame Muslim associational life can actually prove to be counter-productive.

4. What’s the most interesting fact you’ve uncovered during your research?

I realized how religion is flexible! Beyond the received image of unchanging doctrines, there is so much potential in religion for articulating civic values and bringing people together.

5. What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to your undergraduate years?

Read, read, read! About everything! Explore. Be curious. Get involved. Travel if you can. Undergraduate years are fantastic, because you get to take classes on so many different topics. There is no better time to develop yourself as an individual and you should take that opportunity fully.

6. How did you spend the summer?

It was a busy summer! I travelled back to Indonesia and Myanmar to finish my fieldwork. In Indonesia, I spent a lot of time with young progressive Muslims who work every day to build harmonious inter-religious relations in their region. Myanmar is changing so quickly and I feel privileged to witness some of these changes. This year, we spent time with the ethnic minorities, who prepare for the upcoming historic political dialogue. I also taught POL 381, a course on Religion and Politics, and had an amazing and stimulating group of students.