Re-nationalizing citizenship and democratic backsliding: Anti-gender movements in central-eastern Europe

This chapter explores the emergence, rise and effects of the anti-gender movement in (Central-Eastern) Europe, arguing that anti-gender initiatives represent a significant force in society's illiberalization and the process of re-nationalizing citizenship. These mobilizations contribute to defining the idea of "good citizens" and their claim to citizenship rights and belonging by concentrating on the promotion of "traditional family" values and rhetoric. The chapter begins by outlining the development and discursive structure of the anti-gender movement, followed by an analysis of interpretations explaining its emergence, persistence, and popularity. It then examines how the anti-gender initiatives contribute to the re-nationalization of citizenship by aligning itself with ethno-nationalistic interpretations. The anti-gender movement effectively mobilizes individuals by exploiting concerns about the future, particularly regarding the family and nation. The movement promotes a retrotopian vision in which an idealized past is viewed as superior to the present through calls to return to a by gender roles and hierarchies characterized past. However, it is argued that such aspirations are ultimately unattainable and fail to address contemporary challenges. The chapter concludes by advocating for a focus on building a better future rooted in democratic values, social fairness, and human rights, necessitating a transformation of existing power structures associated with gender and national identity.