CFP Conference at UCL on Liberalism and Republicanism

Keynote speaker:

Dr Stuart White (Oxford): ‘The Liberal Contribution to Republican Political Theory’

In recent years there has been a growing interest among political theorists and philosophers in republican political thought. Influenced by the works of Quentin Skinner and Philip Pettit, proponents of this tradition typically claim it as a critical and superior alternative to mainstream liberal political theory. Yet it still remains unclear whether these two traditions are genuinely antagonistic. Historically, there is a considerable overlap in the canon of republicanism and liberalism. Theoretically, while past debates focused on different conceptions of liberty, contemporary work reveals some common ground between the two traditions.

This one-day conference aims to explore the relationship between liberal and republican political theory with regard to their public policy implications. In particular, the extent to which liberal and republican theory generate genuinely different public policy; whether or not it is possible to synthesise liberal and republican accounts; or rather, should clear demarcation be made between the two traditions?

Within this general theme, we welcome submissions in political theory, political philosophy, and legal theory. Papers sympathetic to the idea of converging the two traditions, as well as those critical of it from either side, are welcomed.

Suggested topics of papers may include:

• To what extent, and in what way, are liberal and republican recommendations different for a given policy area (e.g. citizenship, education, immigration, multiculturalism, censorship, climate change)?
• Are the conceptual and normative differences that underpin liberal and republican policies susceptible to integration?
• Or do they generate strict boundaries between liberal and republican policy recommendations?
• Would a synthesis of liberal and republican policies be plausible and/or desirable?

This conference is open to any interested party and aims to be a supportive environment for postgraduate students and early career researchers. Please send an abstract (300 words max.) to Lior Erez (lior.erez.10@ucl.ac.uk) and Nick Martin (nick.martin.09@ucl.ac.uk) no later than 16 November, 2012.