Conference: Futures and Pasts of Illiberal Constitutionalism – East Central Europe in Context

Date: September 12-13, 2024

Location: Central European University (CEU), Vienna

The “Towards Illiberal Constitutionalism in East Central Europe: Historical Analysis in Comparative and Transnational Perspectives” research project studies the rise of authoritarian governments in East Central Europe and far right and populist movements across Europe that has sparked concern that the liberal democratic order established after 1989 is falling apart. We set out to explore these complex phenomena in their historic and transnational contexts from multiple disciplinary perspectives. A central piece of our joint intellectual undertaking is a co-authored book written by the project team for a general audience (to be translated into German, Hungarian and Polish).

The book aims to present the origins, manifestations and alternatives of illiberal constitutionalism in East Central Europe in an informed, critical and approachable manner. It will first present alternative chronologies of liberalism and illiberalism, before turning to its diverse driving forces and inspirations (such as the far right, Christianity, various professions and social actors). The discussion will then focus on institutional practices including at the sites of the rule of law and the politics of rights, constitutional reform and the supranational European realm. Chapters will outline key debates on each theme, providing reference points for informed further engagement. For its authors the book is a genuine scholarly experiment of inter-disciplinary exploration and co-creation. For its audience it is meant to be a source of refreshing insight and intellectual inspiration. We aim to present an approachable narrative based on our key findings in a single voice, without turning to oversimplification or drowning the reader in nuance (of footnotes).

This conference is devoted to discussing key ideas and claims of this volume with experts across a wide range of fields and disciplines. We request each participant to join a panel discussion moderated by the lead authors of pertinent thematic chapters. These panel discussions are meant to inform, shape and situate the argument of the book.

See the program as PDF here.