Maastricht Foundations of Law Colloquia

The Department of Foundations of Law in the Faculty of Law cordially invites you to the next meeting of the Maastricht Foundations of Law Colloquia. On 27 January, our speaker is Alexander Somek from the University of Vienna - Title: Republicanism and Liberal Democracy: Transformations of our Political Predicament 

Abstract: 
There is currently much lament in genteel circles about the impending demise of ‘liberal democracy’. But do we really know what we are talking about? 

Historically, this modern type of democracy emerges from overwriting the republican focus on mixing constitutional regimes with the language of popular sovereignty. What is thereby rendered obscure is that constitutions are supposed to bridge or to overcome the ‘republican split’ between—putting it in Italian Renaissance parlance—the grandi and popolo. While, according to the republican tradition, a mixed polity was considered key thereto, modern constitutional law accorded this function to the election of representatives. Yet the republican split, though rendered invisible by modern constitutional law, retains its tenacity and leads to substitute attempts to resolve it. The chain of substitutions runs from representation to the political party system and, finally, to courts. 


The colloquium’s format is pre-read. Those attending are expected to have read the text in advance. The draft will be circulated in advance.

Convenors:
Lukasz Dziedzic
Sebastian Reyes Molina
Roland Pierik

The colloquia will take place physically and online. The Teams link for the online sessions will be distributed later.