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Call for Papers Theme: Dignity, Democracy, Diversity Type: 29th Biennial World Congress Institution: International Association for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (IVR) Institute for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies, University of Lucerne Swiss Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy Location: Lucerne (Switzerland) Date: 7.–13.7.2019 Deadline: 31.12.2018 __________________________________________________ The 29th Biennial World Congress of the International Association for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland from 7-13 July 2019. The organisation is a joint undertaking between lucernaiuris, the Institute for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies at the University of Lucerne, and the Swiss Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy. The overarching theme of the 2019 congress is "Dignity, Democracy, Diversity". Our aim is to open a discursive space for reflection and discussion on pressing human rights concerns, on the contemporary challenges of realising political autonomy, and on questions regarding cultural pluralism, citizenship and integration. The issues at stake in these debates are of interest not only to legal and social philosophers but also to policy-makers, NGO representatives, practicing lawyers and the general public, as well as academics from various disciplines. We are thus keen to instigate a wide-ranging and inclusive dialogue that welcomes and respects diverse points of view. - Dignity The concept of human dignity has become a major aspect of current international discussions in today’s legal and social philosophy – a debate that has been characterised by critical and deconstructive perspectives on the one hand, and more affirmative approaches on the other. The congress aims to explore the intricacies of the idea of human dignity in the context of the theory of human rights, its conceptual history, content, justification, critiques and the various ways in which it has been articulated in different cultural contexts. In addition, we intend to shed light on innovative and contentious approaches to dignity, referring in particular to the concept of dignity of animals and even of nature in general – a concept exemplified by the Swiss constitution’s protection of the “dignity of living beings” alongside human dignity. - Democracy At present, democracy faces several problems – from threats issued by new antidemocratic political forces to challenges posed by recently developed forms of political discourse and mobilisation mediated by the internet. Given such challenges – and in view of the long and specific tradition of democracy in Switzerland (both representative and direct) – we propose to address questions of contemporary democracy as one of the main themes of the congress. In particular, we intend to focus on the apparent crisis of the representative system and the various challenges with which it has to contend at present – from populism to more participatory, direct forms of democracy that have been made possible by the advent of the digital era (e-democracy, liquid democracy). - Diversity The concept of diversity refers to the cultural and religious pluralism of the modern world and the questions such pluralism presents for political and legal systems. It embraces the variety of forms of life but also alludes to processes of distinction and differentiation that may conflict with the principle of equality. The congress shall address in particular the theoretical challenges implied by this pluralism for the concept of law and democratic citizenship: can the results of an ever-more globalised world be met with a politics of accommodation and/or integration, or do these challenges indicate that globalisation is approaching its limits and that a new 'localisation' is beginning to supersede it? Within this overarching framework, we specifically encourage research on the interplay between dignity, democracy and diversity. Numerous intricate questions can be raised in this respect, including – but by no means limited to – the following: Is human dignity of foundational importance for the conceptualisation, legitimacy and normative structuring of democracy and political autonomy? Or is it rather dispensable for a theory of democracy? Are there limits of majoritarian decision making created by human rights? How can religious, cultural and linguistic diversity be accommodated in democratic structures? Does diversity conflict with the idea of universal human rights and of human dignity? Or is diversity best accommodated within the framework of these concepts? Are certain forms of democracy (e.g. direct vs. representative democracy, centralised vs. federal democratic systems) better or less suited to accommodate diversity? The research on such topics is to be embedded in perspectives which focus on the international order and the effort of establishing the global rule of law. This outlook is productive for attempts to properly reconstruct and assess the structure of contemporary legal systems in a transnational perspective, taking account of both trends of further globalisation and thrusts towards new forms of localisation. Submissions Our aim is to open a discursive space for reflection and discussion on pressing human rights concerns, on the contemporary challenges of realising political autonomy, and on questions regarding cultural pluralism, citizenship and integration. The issues at stake in these debates are of interest not only to legal and social philosophers but also to policy-makers, NGO representatives, practicing lawyers and the general public, as well as academics from various disciplines. We are thus keen to instigate a wide-ranging dialogue that welcomes and respects diverse points of view. The selected topic is not to be understood as exclusive. Inasmuch as we are keen to receive submissions that directly relate to questions of dignity, democracy and diversity, we also warmly invite proposals from across all areas of legal philosophy, legal theory and jurisprudence, as well as contributions that seek to open new perspectives on the interfaces of the law with other areas of human and social activity. Proposals We are currently soliciting proposals in two categories: - Special Workshops The special workshops are a main pillar of the IVR World Congress, and provide a unique forum for intensive exchange on a particular subject of interest. The workshops are organised by individuals or groups of individuals who are responsible for the overall coordination of the session. Invitations and/or calls for papers may be distributed directly by the workshop chair(s), or advertised openly via the congress website (and other relevant channels). Further information here: https://www.ivr2019.org/special-workshops The organising committee is keen to allow chairs as much leeway as possible in terms of structuring workshop programmes. We encourage all interested parties – including and especially junior researchers and PhD candidates – to take the opportunity to propose a session. A workshop proposal form is available on the congress website. The deadline for submission is Monday 31 December 2018. - Paper Presentations Proposals for individual papers on any relevant topic can be submitted via the website. Further information here: https://www.ivr2019.org/working-groups Presenters should expect to speak for a maximum of twenty minutes. The organising committee will group the papers into appropriate thematic sessions. The deadline for submission is Monday 31 December 2018. Fees Registration fees are set as follows: Early Bird Registration (until 31 January 2019): - Professionals (tenured or in full-time employment): 550 CHF - Postdocs (non-tenured or in part-time employment): 325 CHF - Students (including PhD candidates): 175 CHF - Accompanying Persons: 325 CHF General Registration (until 31 May 2019): - Professionals (tenured or in full-time employment): 600 CHF - Postdocs (non-tenured or in part-time employment): 350 CHF - Students (including PhD candidates): 200 CHF - Accompanying Persons: 350 CHF Registration fees include coffee breaks, lunches, receptions and excursions. Conference website: https://www.ivr2019.org __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ __________________________________________________
