We will be holding a one-day cultural event on Saturday 16 February, consisting of a series of short talks led by experts from within Politics at Southampton.
This thought-provoking and inspiring conference will provide you with the opportunity to learn and engage in discussion about democracy and politics from academics of international distinction.
Electoral turnout and party membership are in decline. Cynicism about politicians and politics is high. Yet this disenchantment with the reality of democratic governance is combined with strong support for the ideal of democracy. How are we to understand these phenomena and their relationship? The lectures and discussions of this study day are designed (a) to evaluate explanations of why (it seems) we hate politics but love the democratic ideal, (b) to analyse the distribution of democratic disenchantment, and (c) to consider proposals for public re-engagement with democratic politics.
This study day considers the challenges and opportunities faced by democracy. It begins with the issue of anti-politics manifested in public disengagement from democratic politics, public distrust in politicians and public outrage with scandals such as that concerning MP’s expenses. But it also considers how we might address these problems through existing and new practices of democracy, not least forms of democratic innovation. It concludes by considering the changing character of democracy and the relationship between democracy and disappointment.
This study event will be taking place on 16 February in Building 85 on Highfield Campus.
To book your place please log on to southampton.likn.co/lifelonglearning