The concept of solidarity democracy as a foundation for a new social contract

ATELIER SAB PROCBENTHAM

Today we encounter critical arguments about the way our democratic institutions function, and about the legal order construed to protect human rights (Mounk, Snyder, Applebaum, Levitsky, Ziblatt). Authors do not only describe the present reality in which new problems, new centers of power, and new forces come into existence, but also point to the need for a new axiology, a new language, as well as for defining values anew for better protection of democracy and human rights (Moyn, Lessig, Muir Watt, Kennedy). They point to the necessity of a different perspective on the role of political, social and economic activity, which is to serve humans, and not only bring them profit (Unger, Sunstein, Ruggie, Alston, Kumm). It is important to present these arguments being critical of our democracies and of our understanding what democracy should be about.

Critics of democracy as we experience it today point to the need for a new ethics that will indicate a possibility of reaching toward fuller freedom that coexists with the values of solidarity and responsibility. They conclude that we need to rethink our understanding of democracy and present a concept of democracy better suited for today. In my presentation I will try to present such a concept called solidarity democracy based on values of responsibility and solidarity, even though there is increasingly less responsibility today, not only among individuals, but also among authorities. Solidarity begins to be criticized as well. We now witness the rise of nationalistic tendencies and the development of authoritarian regimes. However, the threat of nationalism and authoritarianism is not new. The 20th century was exposed to this for a long time. In response, many thinkers focused on developments of these threats and proposed the understanding of democracy that can form philosophical basis for what I call solidarity democracy. This is why it is good to focus on the output of 20th century philosophers (Fromm, Berlin, Arendt, Hayek, Popper, Sartre) who, to a great extent, analysed the problems of the emergence of totalitarian and nationalistic systems. Regardless of their differences, those philosophers have much in common.

It seams that the common convictions expressed by the mentioned philosophers but also of todays critics of democracy may form a basis for the concept of solidarity democracy and form the basis for a new social contract. It is crucial whether they can help us to answer the question as to why people choose totalitarianism or nationalism instead of solidarity with others and responsibility towards them in times of economic, social and political crisis. It is also crucial how they can help us to shape policies and support creation of the law that will deal with the most pressing problems of today which are economic inequalities, climate change or environmental degradation.

>Marcin Kilanowski is a Professor of Law at Nicolaus Copernicus University.

After completing his studies and research in philosophy and law at Nicolaus Copernicus University, Utrecht University, Oxford University, and Harvard University, he was a visiting researcher and a visiting scholar at John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies at Freie Universität, Berlin, The Institute for Social Research at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Mine, Department of Philosophy at Harvard University, and Sciences Po Law School in Paris.

His research focuses on development of democracy, civil society, strengthening human rights and global governance through overcoming private-public dichotomy in philosophy, law and economics, and was supported by grants from Kościuszko Foundation, The State Committee for Scientific Research, European Commission, and French Government.

Besides previous work as a law tutor at Harvard College, teaching assistant at the Institute of Global Law and Policy at Harvard Law School and present work at Nicolaus Copernicus University, he worked as a member of the Prime Minister of Poland and the Ministry of Economy Council on Corporate Social Responsibility. Author of three books, scientific papers and articles published in Poland and abroad (Routleadge, Springer, Intersentia), and an opinion contributor for various media. He teaches classes in the field of jurisprudence, public law and global governance. 

Inscription obligatoire auprès de ecole.droit@sciencespo.fr avant le mercredi 1er septembre 2021 à 12h.

Attention ! Il vous sera demandé, à l’entrée du bâtiment, de présenter votre carte d’enseignant/étudiant si vous appartenez à la communauté de Sciences Po, dans le cas contraire une pièce d’identité pourra vous être demandée.