10. Wippermann Lecture

Dienstag, 20. Mai 2025 um 18:00 Uhr

- Stiftung Universität Hildesheim -

Raum N006 im Forum am Hauptcampus, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141 Hildesheim 

20.05.2025, 18.00 Uhr

Referierende: Präsidentin der Universität Hildesheim Prof. Dr. May-Britt Kallenrode (Begrüßung), Prof. Rodrigo Cordero (Universidad Diego Portales), Prof. Dr. Raimundo Frei (Universidad Diego Portales)

Sprache des Vortrags: Englisch

Thema:

Narrative Democracy: A Moral Economy of Divided Social Worlds

Info:

Democracies today face an intensifying wave of political polarization, driven by profound disputes over the principles and values that should organize social life. This resurgence of polarization unfolds amidst interwoven global crises, including widening economic inequality, accelerating ecological degradation, disruptive technological shifts, and persistent armed conflicts. Political polarization not only destabilizes societies by deepening social rifts but also undermines the normative frameworks and political imaginaries essential for sustaining democratic futures.

This lecture examines polarization through a fresh lens, focusing on the central role of narratives in shaping the social boundaries that divide and connect us. Departing from traditional, survey-based approaches, it integrates social theory, literary insights, and empirical observations to uncover how divergent narratives of moral worth—embedded in stories about bodies, places, institutions, and events—fuel polarization. These narratives are not just representations but active, performative forces driving contemporary moral economies.

We will explore how the narrative partitioning of the social world creates existential divides while also offering spaces for solidarity and resistance. The discussion culminates with the concept of "narrative democracy," a framework that emphasizes the importance of engaging with diverse, conflicting stories to address societal crises and repair the damaged social fabric of our shared world. Special attention will be given to the Chilean context as a case study.