The WZB Berlin Social Science Center is dedicating its first annual interdisciplinary conference to the topic of “The Future of Democracy?”. In light of current political developments and the increasing threats to democracy, this conference seeks to harness the expertise of the social sciences to better understand and address these challenges. We invite submissions that analyze the obstacles facing liberal democracies and explore potential solutions for safeguarding and strengthening democratic institutions. We explicitly invite submissions from economics, sociology, political science, psychology, and law, and want to create a forum for interdisciplinary discussions.
The conference will take place on 9-10 October 2025 at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. The conference organizers are Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Daniel Ziblatt and Michael Zürn.
Confirmed keynote speakers are:
- Chris Bail (Duke)
- Tim Besley (LSE)
- Catherine de Vries (Bocconi)
The scientific part will be accompanied by a panel with high-ranking representatives from politics and civil society, as well as a concluding panel with confirmed attendance by Pratap Mehta (Princeton).
We now invite submissions from interested researchers of all social science disciplines. Only full-length non-published papers will be considered.
Potential topics for the parallel sessions are (but are not limited to):
- Polarization
- Misinformation and social media
- Party systems
- (Dis-)satisfaction with democracy
- Representation and legitimation deficits
- Role of courts and legal system in protecting democracy
- Civil society and civic engagement
- Democracy and the economy
- Science, truth and democracy
- The liberal international order
Funding
Some travel and accommodation funding can be provided to participants. The organisers appreciate it if you are able to use your own research funds for attendance.
How to Apply
Authors who already have a CEPR HUB profile can upload their submission by:
- Going to https://hub.cepr.org/ and logging in
- After you have logged in, go to https://hub.cepr.org/event/4676
- Click on "Step 1: Apply"
- Under "Apply to Attend" click "Yes"
- Tick the boxes that apply to you
- Tick "Would you like to submit a paper?", upload your paper and supply the requested information.
- Click "Submit form" to make the submission.
Authors who do not have a CEPR HUB profile can upload their submission by:
- Creating a new profile here https://hub.cepr.org/user/register
- After you have logged in, go to https://hub.cepr.org/event/4676
- Click on "Step 1: Apply"
- Under "Apply to Attend" click "Yes"
- Tick the boxes that apply to you
- Tick "Would you like to submit a paper?", upload your paper and supply the requested information.
- Click "Submit form" to make the submission.
If you have any difficulties registering for this meeting, please contact Despoina Chatzilari, Senior Events Officer at [email protected].
The deadline for replies is Wednesday 30th April 2025, 18:00 CEST. We cannot accept submissions received after this date.
