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Human Rights and Democracy
Mission Statement
Human rights are one of the most fundamental elements of modern democratic constitutions. Democracy and human rights are increasingly considered to be cornerstones of valid policies of global governance. Each of these concepts is multifaceted with regard to the content and the form, and the relationship between them is complex.
The question arises as to whether (and if so, to what extent) democracy is a prerequisite for the interpretation and forcible implementation of human rights. Do we need the concept of democracy for spelling out the meaning of human rights? Is a democratic process necessary for establishment and legal enforcement of human rights? On the other hand, it does not seem possible for a democracy to exist without human rights – the absence of civil liberties and political rights means that a system of political participation among equals is virtually inconceivable. If this is the case, the question that arises is whether human rights, if they are placed above the political process, do not impose stifling restrictions on the democratic process.
Lately, human rights have also been subject to criticism. An objection is often made that human rights, especially when considered in conjunction with democracy, are a particular western institution. Are the values of human rights and democracy actually employed by Western nations when their own interests are at stake? Further criticism is directed at the claim to the universality of human rights. It is argued that culturally-specific rationale ought to be used for norms and values that makes either partial or no reference to human rights and democracy.
These issues along with others represent analytical and normative challenges to all disciplines involved at the GGS. Its basis in specific disciplinary and methodological approaches raises the profile of the discourse taking place between and across disciplines both from a thematic and methodological perspective. The subject is particularly suitable for discussions about problems relating to the intercultural legitimation of human rights and democracy, international human rights policies, the creation of governance structures in a multi-level system, an intercultural constitution, and the legal and political implementation of human rights. Last but not least, the subject provides rich material for the field of comparative political and jurisprudential research
Current Events
Book Workshop
(online)
February 16, 2023 | 2-6 pm | online
Book Workshop on "Populism and Civil Society"
with the authors Andrew Arato and Jean Cohen
and commentaries by Hauke Brunkhorst, Ina Kerner, Regina Kreide, Maria Pia Lara, Kolja Möller, Patrick O’Mahoney, Peter J. Verovšek und Michael Zürn
Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de) for further information and access-link.
Doctoral Candidates' Colloquium
February 8, 2023 | 11 am - 3.30 pm | Frankfurt
Colloquium with presentations by Simon Rothers, Nourhan Kassem, Hannes Kaufmann and Edward Djordjevic
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
[postponed]
new date will be indicated soon! | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus S3/online
Laura Tittel
"The State of Nature and Antigypsyism. On the Exclusiveness of Social Contract Theory"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
December 14, 2022 | 4:30-6:30 pm | Zeughaus S3/online
Sergio Orozco
"Climate Change and Citizenship: Challenges of Public Understanding of Science in Democratic Societies"
Sarita Monja Henriksen
"Language Policy and Language Education Planning – What for?"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
November 16, 2022 | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus S3/online
Daniel Tobon
"Imagining Animal Lives and Deaths"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Semesterprogram for Winter Term 2022
Die Veranstaltungen finden voraussichtlich hybrid (online/offline) statt.
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
July 13, 2022 | 4-6 pm | Zeughaus S2
Artemy Magun
"Political Theology of Sortition"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
June 14, 2022 | 5-7 pm | Gustav-Krüger-Saal
Oliver Eberl (Darmstadt/Hannover)
"Colonialism and the Crisis of Democracy. Lessons from the History of Ideas"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Semesterprogram for Summer Term 2022
Die Veranstaltungen finden voraussichtlich hybrid (online/offline) statt.
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de).
Online Lecture and Discussion
February 2, 2022 | 5-7 pm
Gianfranco Casuso (Lima)
"Gesellschaftskritik als Demokratisierungsprozess. Problematisieren und 'inquiry' jenseits decision-making"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Online Lecture and Discussion
January 19, 2022 | 5-7 pm
Daniel Loick (Amsterdam/ Frankfurt)
"Affective Privilege"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de).
Online Lecture and Discussion
December 12, 2021 | 5-7 pm
Alex Demirovic (Basel)
"Krise und Katastrophe. Das Scheitern der Gesellschaft an der Natur"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de).
Lecture and Discussion (hybrid)
December 8, 2021 | 5-7 pm
Ana María Rabe (Medellín)
"Heroic Imaginary versus Political Iconoclasm"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Manuscript Workshop
December 1, 2021 | 9 am - 6:30 pm
Tilo Wesche on "Rechte der Natur"
mit Klaus Bosselmann (Auckland), Maeve Cook (Dublin), Eva von Redecker (Berlin/Verona) u.a.
Online Lecture and Discussion
November 17, 2021 | 5-7 pm
Jule Govrin (Frankfurt am Main)
"On the Equality Between Bodies. Towards a Universalism from Below"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Online Lecture and Discussion
November 3, 2021 | 5-7 pm
Stephan Gruber (Cologne)
"Theorizing Neoliberalism. Lessons from the Peruvian Case"
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
Semesterprogram for Winter Term 2021
Die Veranstaltungen finden in der Regel digital statt. Offline-Veranstaltungen werden extra ausgewiesen.
Participation (online or on-site) is open to everyone. Please register in advance with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)
