Description

The recent proliferation of illiberal yet democratically elected regimes around the world has drawn attention across fields and disciplines. As traditional democratic institutions increasingly struggle to safeguard individualliberties and protect freedom of expression, many have raised pressing questions about the resilience of liberal norms and the consolidation of illiberal governments. This series convenes specialists from political science, sociology, anthropology, history, and other disciplines to examine the historical development, intellectual foundations, and contemporary trajectories of illiberalism. Through public lectures and roundtable discussions, it considers illiberalism as both a political philosophy and as a mode of governance, with attention to the role of the media, the posture of academic institutions, and the dynamic between global illiberal political movements and their affordances in local contexts.  

Upcoming Events

A Roundtable Conversation on Comparative Revolutions: With Mohammed Bamyeh (Sociology), Crystal Eddins (Sociology), Michel Gobat (History), Wendy Goldman (History, Carnegie Mellon University), and John Walsh (French and Italian). September 22, 1pm - 2:30pm. 4130 Posvar Hall. 

Conversation with Mahmood Mamdani about Slow Poison: Professor Mahmood Mamdani (Herbert Lehman Professor of Government, Columbia University) discusses his latest book about the turbulent postcolonial history of Uganda. Free copies of Slow Poison are available at the World History Center while supplies last. Contact Vicky Shen (wes72@pitt.edu) to obtain a copy. October 2, 10:30am-12pm. David Lawrence Hall 104. Followed by a lunch reception. 

Past Events

A Discussion with the Author of The Fertility of Evil about Fiction, Fieldwork, and Translation: With Amara Lakhous (Yale University). March 27, 2026, 10:00am-11:30am. CL113. 

"A Roundtable Discussion on (il)liberal democracies," September 29, 2025, 11:00am-12:30pm

Join the World History Center for a roundtable discussion with Kathleen Blee (Sociology), José Antonio Cheibub (Political Science), Gabriella Lukacs (Anthropology), and Adam Shear (Religious Studies).

"Before and after 1989: The Short History of Liberal Democracy in Hungary" with Victoria Harms (Johns Hopkins University). October 6, 2025. 4:00pm-5:30pm. 

A conversation between Gregor Thum (History) and Victoria Harms (Johns Hopkins University). Sponsored by the Nationality Rooms, Russian and Eastern European Studies Center, and the European Studies Center.