"We, the People’ and the Future of Democracy: Interdisciplinary Approaches"

Between 2012 and 2024, one-fifth of the world’s democracies eroded. During this period, ‘us vs. them’ rhetoric and divisive politics have severely undermined social cohesion. Yet, in some cases, democracy has demonstrated resilience. A crucial factor in the rise and fall of liberal democracies lies in the use and abuse of the concept of “the people.” This idea can either serve to unite civil society or create deep social divisions by pitting “the (true) people” against “the others.” The dichotomy of “the people vs. the others” is a central focus in populism studies. However, the conditions under which “the people” act as a driving force for democratization or become a tool for majoritarian oppression require further comparative and comprehensive analysis. Understanding this dynamic is critical, as it has profound implications for the future of democracy worldwide.

The workshop, co-organized by the European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS) and several prestigious institutes at Oxford University, invites scholars to submit papers, panels, posters, and artwork on the theme of democratic decline and resilience. We are particularly interested in papers that address the evolving role of “the people” in the shaping and destruction of democratic systems, both historically and in contemporary times. Topics for submission include political philosophy, the psychology of populism, civil society’s role in democracy, and the impact of arts and media on societal divisions. This event will bring together interdisciplinary research from the humanities, arts, social sciences, and policy studies to explore the future implications of the changing nature of democracy. Researchers at any career stage, especially early career researchers (PhD students, post-docs, and assistant professors), are encouraged to present completed and ongoing research. 
Potential topics include but are not limited to 

– Theories and political philosophy on the people, public, popular and civil/civic, elite, volk, Populus, demos, proletariat, sovereign, human condition, constitutional imagination
-The role and use of “the people” in service of nationalism, racism, populism, or democracy
-The role of civil society in fostering and sustaining democratic systems and creating inclusive and sustainable democratic institutions
-Local, global and civilizational approaches to "us vs. them" & illiberal democracy (majoritarianism, “global elites,” minorities, Orientalist or Occidentalist rhetoric, etc.)
-Political economy and psychology shaping the idea of the people and globalization
-Historical trends, human condition, and future implications for democracy
-Cultures and subcultures of democracy (community building across differences, public spaces, arts and activism)  
-The role of the arts (literature, music, film), new media, and AI in shaping “the people” and the people vs. the others
-Colonial, decolonial, postcolonial, and gendered approaches to the idea of the people
-Political psychology, civil society, and ways to strengthen domestic and international democratic institutes  
-Bottom-up approaches to global governance and democracy 

Deadline for Abstract Submission:
• February 28, 2025

Important Dates:
• Decision Notification: March 17, 2025
• Draft Paper Submissions: May 26, 2025

For Submissions
Please complete the submission form before February 28, 2025:
Submission Form

For inquiries, contact Sumeyye Kocaman at skocaman@populismstudies.org.

More information available here