At a time when liberal democracy seems on the precipice of an existential crisis, this conference will examine many of its internal tensions and contradictions.

Since its origins, liberalism has been an ideology centrally concerned with protecting individual rights, whether it is against incursions from oppressive governments or radicalized masses. But liberals have also disagreed among themselves about how to translate this core commitment to individual rights into practice: which rights—and whose rights—should be protected and how? Do some rights take precedence over others? And what is the relationship between these rights and democracy? What makes a democracy liberal? At this day long conference, a distinguished group of scholars, journalists and public servants will engage in a wide-ranging exploration of these and other related questions.

For registration links and the most up-to-date information, please go to https://liberalism.commons.gc.cuny.edu