Research in Social Political Philosophy

Research

Current work done by members of RIPPLE is part of an integrated research programme entitled Democracy between multiculturalism and globalization. The original aim of this programme, launched in 2003, was to map the politico-theoretical effects of multiculturalism and globalization on the basic concepts of democracy (such as sovereignty, citizenship, representation, political community, cultural identity). We try to combine the dominant Anglo-American philosophical theories with insights from Continental, especially French, political philosophy. Since 2003 our attention has gradually focused more specifically on the institution of (political) community. During our common research we have grown convinced of the essential role of what is often called ‘the political’: the institution of society, through political conflict, and by virtue of the imposition of a particular, partial and therefore always contestable and contested representation of society. Politics in its essential agonistic configuration can be viewed as the scene on which society is confronted with representations of itself, thereby gaining what understanding of itself it can muster.

This essentially political institution of political communities applies on the national as well as on the transnational or international level. The fundamental problem concerning the institution of a democratic world order is the question of whether such a representational institution of the political community is feasible and desirable on a global scale. Our main interest is therefore the structure of political representation and its consequences for a global democracy.

Central to RIPPLE’s activities is the weekly research seminar, attended by all members. During these seminars we study classical texts as well as recent work in political philosophy. We discuss work in progress by RIPPLE-members or prepare for upcoming events. Special attention is paid to the progress made by doctoral students. This common research seminar has enabled RIPPLE to establish a shared background literature, to examine new developments in the field and to monitor and support the research of the doctoral students and other members.

Projects

Current contributing projects by RIPPLE

• Modern Individualism and the Ideal of Authenticity: Charles Taylor’s Onto-Historical Approach Reconstructed, IRO-project (2006-2010) – doctoral researcher: Valentino Lumowa.
• Sovereignty and Democracy in the Post-National Constellation, funded by the KU Leuven Research Council and the KU. Brussels Research Council, (2005-2009) – doctoral researchers: Annelies Degryse and Matthias Lievens;
• Citizenship and Public Space in the Post-National Constellation, FWO-project, ref. G.0493.07 (2007-2011) – doctoral researcher: Annelies Decat
• The Dark Side of Freedom. Liberalism and Imperialism in Tocqueville, IRO-project (2007-2011) – doctoral researcher: Demin Duan.
• Jürgen Habermas on Education in the Context of Globalization, IRO-project (2008-2012) – doctoral researcher: Lovelyn Paclibar
• Modern Time-Consciousness: Philosophy and Politics of History. Leo Strauss on History and Truth in the Relation of Theory and Praxis, FWO-project (2009-2013) – doctoral researcher: Wulf Bulling
• Democratic representation beyond the nation-state. The debate on European democracy as a test-case for the model of French liberalism, FWO-postdoctoral project (2009-2012) – postdoctoral researcher: Raf Geenens.
• The Transparency of Governance and the Invisibility of Power. An Inquiry into the Deficiencies of Democratic Representation in Transnational Institutions, funded by the Research Council (OT/09/004/TBA-project) (2009-2013) as well as by FWO-project, ref. G.0247.10 (2010-2014) – doctoral researchers: Thomas Decreus and Femmy Thewissen
• Democratic Representation, funded by the Research Council and executed as part of ‘Global Governance and Democratic Government’ (PF 10/001) in collaboration with the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies (2010-2014).
• Global Justice and Global Democracy, funded by the Research Council and executed as part of ‘Global Governance and Democratic Government’ (PF 10/001) in collaboration with the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies (2010-2014).
• Federalism in Multinational States, funded by the Research Council (2010-2014)
• Transnational Federalism, funded by the Research Council (2010-2014)
• Kant and the Foundations of Ethics, – doctoral researcher : Ryan Wines

Concluded projects by RIPPLE

• Towards a global democracy? A preliminary analysis of the relation between deliberation, representation and power, FWO-postdoctoral grant (2007-2009) – postdoctoral researcher: Stefan Rummens.
• Nation, identity and justice. A research on nationalism and the importance of nationalism in the contemporary political constellation, FWO-postdoctoral grant (2007-2009) – postdoctoral researcher: Helder De Schutter.
• Power and representation. The debate on European democracy as a test-case for the model of French liberalism, PDMK-mandaat (2008-2009) – postdoctoral researcher: Raf Geenens.