Which Future for Democracy in a Post-political Age? A Lecture by Chantal Mouffe

Chantal Mouffe examines the reasons for the post-political situation which has become dominant in recent years in European countries. It is due, she argues, to the move towards the center of social democratic parties that have accepted the idea that there was no alternative to neoliberal globalization. This has led to a consensus between center-right and center-left parties that far from being a step forward for democracy has created a favorable terrain for the rise of right-wing populist parties. She asserts that the only way to counter this phenomenon is through the development of left-wing populist movements.

Chantal Mouffe is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster. Her books include The Return of the Political; Hegemony and Socialist Strategy (with Ernesto Laclau); The Dimensions of Radical Democracy; Gramsci and Marxist Theory; Deconstruction and Pragmatism; The Democratic Paradox; and The Challenge of Carl Schmitt, all from Verso.

Moderated by Sofia Perez, Associate Professor of Political Science at Boston University. Prof. Perez's work has centered on the politics of economic regulation in Europe. She teaches comparative politics and courses on the politics of immigration.

This event takes place as part of a new initiative entitled "Interferences," a series of events on issues pertinent to democratic politics in the US and Europe. Organized as part of EU Futures, a series of conversations exploring the emerging future in Europe. The EU Futures project is supported by a Getting to Know Europe Grant from the European Commission Delegation in Washington, DC.