In the midst of a crisis in contemporary liberal thought and practice, and with dynamic changes on both the Right and Left, in theory the grassroots transformations are occurring in Western societies. By understanding these shifts, we can better grasp why liberalism’s cultural dominance is simultaneously ending in diverse political cultures.

This lecture will explore whether liberalism is dead, needs reinvention, or if a new world is emerging. The crisis in contemporary liberal thought, dynamic changes on the political Right and Left, and grassroots transformations in Western societies will be examined. Additionally, the rise of new right-wing political imaginaries in Europe and the United States and their potential impact on both domestic and international politics will be addressed.

Marlene Laruelle is a Research Professor of International Affairs and Political Science at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University. She is also Director of the Illiberalism Studies Program at GW and the former Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES). Trained in political theory, she explores the notion of illiberalism and how nationalism and conservative values are becoming mainstream in different cultural contexts. She has recently edited the Oxford Handbook of Illiberalism (Oxford University Press, 2024).

This lecture will be introduced by Marie-Laure Salles, Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute.