On the Roots of the Questioning of Liberal Democracy

Human rights, the cornerstone of modern liberal democracy, are increasingly subject to open criticism and questioning. In this discussion the Belgian political scientist Justine Lacroix and the philosopher Jean-Yves Pranchère from Luxembourg will explore the roots of contemporary criticism of human rights. The two will consider opinions and ideas from anti-revolutionary thinkers in the French Revolution era, such as Joseph de Maistre and Louis de Bonald, to contemporary political scientists and philosophers, including Marcel Gauchet and Régis Debray.

Philosopher Jean-Yves Pranchère teaches at the Université libre de Bruxelles, the same university as the political scientist Justine Lacroix. In 2016 the pair brought out a book on perceptions of human rights and the understanding of their political significance entitled Le procès des droits de l'homme – Généalogie du scepticisme démocratique (Human Rights on Trial – The Genealogy of Democratic Scepticism) (published by Seuil).

Chaired by Alexandre Pajon.

In cooperation with the French Institute in Prague and the embassies of Luxembourg and Belgium. The debate will take place in French with simultaneous interpretation provided.