Democracy Under Pressure: How Illiberal Politics Reshape Europe

Illiberal parties and movements across Europe have become a defining challenge to liberal democracy. They reshape democratic institutions and redefine public policies while their ideas impact mainstream discourse, eroding the boundaries between democratic pluralism and authoritarian tendencies. Illiberalism’s impact is increasingly substantive, transforming political cultures, institutions, and policy outcomes across the continent.
 
What ideological and discursive foundations underpin illiberal politics in Europe today? How do illiberal actors use institutions and policies to consolidate their influence? To what extent are illiberal ideas mainstreamed in broader political discourse? What mechanisms of democratic resilience exist, and how effective are they in countering illiberal trends? How do cases across Europe compare, and what lessons emerge for the future of liberal democracy?
 
This event, which will introduce a special issue of Politics and Governance on Illiberal Politics in Europe (edited by the AUTHLIB consortium), will discuss the ideological, policy, and institutional dimensions of illiberal politics in Europe. Drawing on examples from a variety of case studies, the conversation will identify broader patterns, trends, and comparative insights across Europe. Panelists will examine how illiberalism reshapes political discourse and democratic practice, and they will reflect on what these developments mean for the resilience of liberal democracy in Europe and beyond.


To register for the event, please click on the button above. Details for access will be sent to registrants. For more information, contact Zsuzsanna Végh at [email protected].