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Events

25.03.2020 -

14:00 Uhr - Weizenbaum Institute | Hardenbergstraße 32 | 10623 Berlin | Room A104

CANCELED: Prof. Hans-Jörg Trenz: From dystopia back to utopia? The resurgence of critical publics in post-crisis

In his lecture, Prof. Hans-Jörg Trenz will discuss the potential of a broader transnational democratic movement that takes collective lessons in post-crisis Europe.

Digital transformations have arguably enhanced contestation of values within and across European societies. The increased salience of conflicts over values and identities in crisis-ridden Europe is often related to the rise of populism, regionalism and new nationalism which fundamentally challenge the legitimacy of the European Union and the liberal-democratic systems of its member states. Against this account of a ‘populist backlash’ in Europe that is related to public sphere disruptions, I wish to collect evidence and uncover mechanisms of democratic renewal and public sphere resilience. Using examples from the anti-populist and pro-European movements in the UK, Italy and Germany, I will discuss the potential of a broader transnational democratic movement that takes collective lessons in post-crisis Europe and asks for corrections in the democratic design of both national and European government.