The Great Experiment: How to Make Diverse Democracies Work

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A conference in the framework of the Rendez-vous de la Recherche.

Democracy is a fragile pact which could be broken at any time, especially when it is crossed by deep internal divides. How to bridge the fragmentations within diverse democracies enough for them to remain stable and functional?  This is the major pressing question that Yascha Mounk will address during this talk based on his latest bestselling book The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure.

Professor Mounk’s presentation will be followed by comments by Sciences Po’s faculty members Janie Pelabay and Annabelle Lever.

Yascha Mounk is a political scientist, Associate Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. His book is considered a major contribution to reflection on democracies and the dangers they incur. Drawing on history, social psychology, and comparative politics, Mounk examines how diverse societies have long suffered from the ills of domination, fragmentation, or structured anarchy.  Despite all the dangers,  Yasha Mounk's message is not pessimistic, showing us that the past can offer crucial insights for how to do better.

Janie Pélabay is Research Fellow at the Sciences Po’s Center of Political Research (CEVIPOF). She investigates the challenges posed by pluralism to liberal democracy, and contemporary debates on state neutrality, multiculturalism, identity politics and patriotism.

Annabelle Lever is Research Fellow at the Sciences Po’s Center of Political Research (CEVIPOF). She conducts research on democratic theory, contemporary political theory, ethics and public policy, on security, privacy and intellectual property.

The debate will be moderated by Sergei Guriev, Provost and Professor of Economics, Sciences Po.