The Illiberalism Studies Program studies the different faces of illiberal politics and thought in today’s world, taking into account the diversity of their cultural context, their intellectual genealogy, the sociology of their popular support, and their implications on the international scene.

  • Promoting a multidisciplinary approach combining political science, sociology, political philosophy, cultural studies and international relations
  • Addressing questions related to democratic backlash, the spread of authoritarianism, post-liberalism, the far right, populism and nationalism
  • Serving as a platform for debating the future of the liberalism/illiberalism relationship

The ILLSP looks, among others, at:

Political Philosophy Genealogy of the term ‘illiberalism,’ gaps and overlaps with the existing literature on conservatism, populism, far right, democratic backlash, and authoritarianism; interpretations as post-liberalism, a reactionism, a fascism.

Comparative Politics Illiberal politics and its actors across the globe; illiberal public policies and their impact on institutions and values;; transformations of the so-called liberal world order; (in)compatibility with democracy and supra-state organizations; reformulation of ‘left’ and ‘right’; unifying features and diversity of cultural contexts.

Sociology and Cultural Studies Current research explaining the spread of illiberalism from blue-collar ‘revenge,’ middle-classes pauperization, neoliberal reforms and the disappearance of the welfare state, to the lack of leftist ideologies after the collapse of communism and the need for identity politics; ‘rootedness’ and search of ‘national authenticity and ‘traditional values’ as answers to the globalization of ideas, people, and products

Political and Policy Responses How illiberalism is perceived and addressed as a challenge by defenders of liberalism, from politicians and civil society activists to political philosophers.

Disclaimer: The contents of articles published on this website are the sole responsibility of the author(s). The Illiberal Studies Program, including its staff and faculty, is not responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement expressed in the published papers. Articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Illiberal Studies Program or any members of its projects.

The Illiberalism Studies Program is hosted at the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES)

IERES is part of The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, one of the world’s leading schools of international affairs and the largest school of international affairs in the United States. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., its mission is to educate the next generation of international leaders, conduct research that advances understanding of important global issues, and engage the policy community in the United States and around the world.

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IERES has been ranked no. 5 worldwide in the category Best Regional Studies Center (University Affiliated) by the 2019 Global Go to Think Tank Index Report.

The primary mission of IERES is to serve as a field-defining leader in scholarship, education, and advice for policymakers addressing relations between the United States, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia. The Institute’s hallmarks are combining academic rigor with policy engagement, promoting interdisciplinary perspectives, and recognizing that Europe, Russia, and Eurasia cannot be understood in isolation from each other or from larger global trends. IERES unites a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of scholars and scholar-practitioners, both faculty and visitors.

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