TIL Conference: Liberal / Democracy

Liberal / Democracy

June 18-20, 2024, SciencesPo, Paris

During the twentieth century, liberalism and democracy became closely intertwined, often seen as synonymous. Following the collapse of the "people's democracies" and the fall of the Berlin Wall, democracy became associated not only with procedural-electoral principles but also with a set of liberal values and free markets. The term "liberal-democracy" became equivalent to an equation mark, with liberal and democracy inseparable. This shift occurred gradually, as an increasing number of democratic regimes worldwide embraced not only free and fair elections but also stronger separation of powers, enhanced protection of fundamental liberties (such as freedom of speech, religion, and property rights), robust constitutional structures safeguarded by influential courts, and global capitalist economy.

However, in recent times, this pairing of liberalism and democracy has come under attack. Theoretically, politically, economically, and socially, there is a rising challenge to the liberal-democratic order. Concepts such as "illiberal democracies" and "liberal autocracies" have emerged, seeking to undermine or dismantle the liberal aspects of governance while emphasizing the democratic component. Countries like Hungary, Poland, India, Venezuela, Peru, and more recently, Israel, have witnessed political parties initiating legal reforms and regime changes aimed at weakening or even dismantling the liberal elements of their systems in the name of strengthening democracy.

In other cases, regimes like Singapore, with autocratic leadership or one-party systems, have granted their citizens a broader range of economic and civil rights while maintaining control over elections, essentially using them as a validation of power rather than as genuine democratic contests. These developments bring to the forefront the tension between democracy and liberalism, necessitating a reassessment of their relationship.

The conference will serve as a platform for reexamining from historical, philosophical, political, social, economic, and legal perspectives, the intricate connection between democracy and liberalism.

Theoretical Inquiries in Law (TIL) is a peer-reviewed journal, devoted to the application of insights on law developed by diverse disciplines including philosophy, sociology, economics, history, and psychology. Since the publication of its first volume in 2000, TIL has gained wide recognition as a home for sophisticated theoretical reflections on the law. TIL is currently ranked first among all non-US law journals and among the best in the Jurisprudence and Legal Theory category (all countries) (per the Washington and Lee Law Journal Ranking Project). TIL articles are available on all major legal databases and are also freely available online.

Organizers: Helena Alviar García (SciencesPo), Sam Issacharoff (NYU), Issi Rosen-Zvi (TAU), Shai Lavi (Van Leer Institute)