Transformations of the Political. Radical Democratic Theory for the 2020s

The conference aims at a critical revision of theories of the political and a re-actualization of radical democratic approaches for the 2020s. Right-wing populism and authoritarianism, cleavages over “identity politics”, the digitalization of public debate, and the power of conspiracy theories are leading to processes of profound social, cultural, and political transformation in liberal democracies. For the analysis of these transformations, the “theories of the political” and the related concept of “radical democracy” are particularly suitable, as they analyze the fundamental fragility of the liberal order. However, in view of escalating conflicts it has become questionable whether and to which extent the radical democratic demand for a disruption of the liberal order is the right response to the aforementioned transformations of the political. Against this background, the conference aims at addressing four areas: 1. revision of basic concepts; 2. normativity, institutions, law; 3. new social movements and identity politics; 4. digital transformations of the public sphere.