Call for Papers: IACL Roundtable “Current challenges to constitutional democracy”

3-4 October 2024

Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Law

Rome, Italy

Conference subject-matter

Throughout history, constitutional democracies have faced significant challanges. In recent years, however, the threats to constitutional democracies have escalated to potentially jeopardizing their very nature, despite regular election processesgiving the impression of a stable democracy. It is crucial to reexamine the relationship between democracy and the rule of law, the foundation of constitutional democracy. The concept of democratic backsliding’ leading to  ‘hybrid regimes’, going under the different labels of ‘illiberal democracy’, ‘electoral autocracy’, or ‘populist regimes’ needs to be analyzed and discussed in terms of democratic transformation and deviation from constitutional democracy.  Given these premises, this Roundtable will pay attention both to the empirical question of how democratic backsliding has developed in different countries, and to the theoretical features of the concept as distinguished from (but also connected with) the various versions of hybrid regimes.  

Eligibility and topics to be addressed

Submissions are invited from senior and junior scholars in English or French. 

Within the frame of the conference subject-matter, we welcome proposals from senior scholars addressing “elections” or “rule of law” in the age of democratic decline.

We invite junior scholars who are PhD candidates or junior scholars who are within seven years of completion of their PhD (or equivalent degree) to submit proposals on “Democracy in the age of artificial inteligence” .

Abstract submission

Applicants are required to submit their CV and abstracts in English or French (not exceeding 500 words) by July 1, 2024 to selin.esen71@gmail.com and gkatrougalos@yahoo.gr (please use “CfP: Current challanges to constitutional democracy” as the subject line of your e-mail). Notifications will be sent out by July 15, 2024.

4. Costs, travels, and accommodation

There is no fee for submitting papers. Speakers and participants bear their own travel and accommodation costs. Coffe and lunch will be provided during the Roundtable.

5. Dates and Venue

Scholars whose papers are selected for presentation in the conference will be informed in advance about the schedule and location of their presentations .