Democracy, Illiberal Alternatives, and Culture Wars

The conference “Democracy, Illiberal Alternatives, and Culture Wars,” is co-organized by Central European University and Georgetown University.

Liberal democratic institutions and values face significant challenges today. Political polarization, declining trust, the erosion of fundamental democratic norms, and the rise of strongman leaders have weakened the post-war consensus. The increasing focus of electoral competition and media discourse on cultural issues has intensified political conflicts and constrained rational deliberation.

To better understand these developments and the appeal of illiberal alternatives, the workshop will highlight recent scholarship on democracy and autocratization. Presentations will examine trends in democratic quality, explore recent developments in gender politics, and analyze how religious identities intersect with modern nationalism and nativism. Special attention will be given to the spread of populist governance and the role of culture wars in democratic backsliding.