Challenges to Participation in Democracy
International Conference – University of Lisbon – 16-17 May 2013

Recent political events have brought the problem of political participation to a new light by promoting active participation in ‘occupy movements’ that do not require (and even tend to escape from) traditional political institutions. What was once regarded in Western democracies as a general attitude of passive acquiescence coexisting with an occasional slothful dissent has turned into a cry out for active participation in actual decision-making processes.

The purpose of this conference will be to search for different forms of participation in different conceptions of democracy (including deliberative democracy, but also radical democracy, liberal democracy, etc.) and to assess the role of democracy as a viable political model in face of contemporary challenges such as globalization, the rise of nationalism, the unchecked growth of economic powers, the increasing influence of organized lobbying, or the dominance of party machines over political action. Our intention is to develop a notion of political participation that might turn viable an effort to allow all members of society to make significant contributions to the decision-making process.

Organizing Committee: Andre Santos Campos (IFL, New University of Lisbon) and José Gomes André (Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon).

More info: http://cpd2013lisbon.wordpress.com/