Human Rights and Democracy

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

See the list of members here.

Lecture and Discussion (postponed to December 18)

November 27, 5-7 pm | Zeughaus, S3

Alex Demirovic (Berlin): "Desasterkapitalismus - und wie ihm begegnen?"
(GER/ENG)

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). All interested colleagues and students are welcome!

Lectures and Discussion

November 20, 4-7 pm | Zeughaus, S3

Francisco Cortes Rodas (UdeA Medellín): "Democracies under Siege: The Rise of new Authoritarianism in Latin America"

Petar Bojanic (Rijeka/Belgrade): "Moments of the Negative"

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). All interested colleagues and students are welcome!

Workshop "Capitalism and Insecure Positions of Minorities. Racism, Antisemitism, and Antigypsyism seen through the Lens of Materialist Critique" (GER/ENG)

November 4+5, 2024 | Margarete-Bieber-Saal (Ludwigstrasse 34, 35390 Giessen)

With contributions by Christine Achinger | Francesco Arman | Randi Becker | Floris Biskamp | Martin Dornis | Lukas Egger | Magdalena Freckmann | Felix Kronau | Ulrike Marz | Tobias Neuburger | Anne Peiter | Helge Petersen | Jill Pöggel | Julian Prugger | Jan Rickermann | Leo Roepert | Roman Thurn | Stefan Vennmann | Moritz Zeiler

For further Information, please visit the Workshop-Website.

Workshop "Human Rights in Times of Insecurity"

September 2-3, 2024 | Senatssaal, JLU Mein Building (Ludwigstrasse 23, 35390 Giessen)

With contributions by Ayelet Banai, Oliver Eberl, Oliver Flügel-Martinsen, Margaret Griese, Franziska Martinsen, Brian Milstein, Amos Nascimento, Andreas Niederberger, Regina Schidel, Jonathan Warren a.o.

All interested colleagues and students are welcome to join! To see the full program, please click on the previews in the right column.

Doctoral Candidates' Colloquium

July 7, 2024 [THURSDAY] | tba

With presentations by

• Edward Djordjevic
• Maria Grynevych
• Paul Kaletsch
• Reqqa Salem
• Anna-Sophie Schönfelder
• Max Waibel

Workshop

July 3, 2024 | 2-7 pm | Alte Universitätsbibliothek (AUB 2), Bismarckstrasse 37/ online

"Unjust (In)Security"

With Daniel Valente, Alexis Gros and Kristina Lepold 

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). All interested Colleagues and students are welcome!

Workshop

June 27, 2024 [THURSDAY] | 4-8 pm | Zeughaus S2

Hauke Brunkhorst (Flensburg):

"Digital Capitalism Without Democracy? The Transformation of Mass Media through Proprietary Markets."

With Commentaries by Claudia Wirsing, Felmon Davis, Pedro Jurado, Anna-Sophie Schönfelder, Hannes Kaufmann and Edward Djordjevic

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). All interested Colleagues and students are welcome!

GGS Summer Event

June 19, 2024 | 6 pm | Aula, JLU Main Building

Lecture:

Albrecht von Lucke
“Das Ende unserer Illusionen: Europa und das Schicksalsjahr 2024”

Please register via the GGS Website.

Vortrag und Diskussion

June 4, 2024 [TUESDAY] | 5-7 pm | Gustav-Krüger-Saal, JLU Main Building

Reading session*

May 22, 2024 | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus S3

Hauke Brunkhorst: Rechtsrevolutionen/ Legal Revolutions

*In the reading session we will discuss a chapter of Hauke Brunkhorst's new book. This session also serves to prepare for the Workshop with Hauke Brunkorst in June.

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). All interested Colleagues and students are welcome!

Vortrag und Diskussion

May 15, 2024 | 5-7 om | Zeughaus S3

Lectures and Discussion

February 7, 2024 | 2-6 pm | Gustav-Krüger-Saal, JLU Main Building (Ludwigstr. 23)/ online

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). 

+++ONLINE ONLY+++

Due to the strike in the public transport system, the lecture will be digital only and start at 6pm.

Lecture and Discussion (in German)

January 24, 2024 | 6-8 pm |ONLINE

Please register with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). 

+++POSTPONED+++

Due to the strike in the public transport system, the lectures will take place on January 17

Lectures and Discussion

January 17, 2024 | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus, S3 (Senckenbergstraße 3)

Preparatory readings wil be sent after registration with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de). 

Lecture and Discussion

December 18, 2023 | 4-6 pm | Philosophikum II, House E, Room 119

The lecture is part of a proseminar, but is open to all interested parties. Participation (online or on site) after registration with Hannes Kaufmann (Hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de)

Lecture and Discussion

December 18, 2023 | 4-6 pm | Senatssaal, JLU Main Building 

The Peace Process in Colombia. Towards a New Model of Transitional Justice?

Prof. Dr. Stefan Peters (Bogota/ Giessen)

in Discussion with a.o. Ana María Rabe (Medellín)

All interested are welcome! Please register via Max Waibel (Max.Waibel@sowi.uni-giessen.de) 

Workshop

September 25, 2023 | 2-5 pm | tba Frankfurt

"What is Left of Universalism?"

Prof. Amos Nascimento (University of Washington, Seattle)

Prof. Andreas Niederberger (University Duisburg-Essen)

Comments:

Prof. Felmon Davis (Union College Schenectady, NY)

Prof. Regina Kreide (JLU Giessen)

Hannes Kaufmann (JLU Giessen)

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Preparatory readings and further details upon registration with Hannes Kaufmann (hannes.s.kaufmann@sowi.uni-giessen.de).

Lecture and Discussion

July 26, 2023 | 6-8 pm | online

Lectures and Discussion

July 12, 2023 | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus S3 (Senckenbergs. 3)/ online

Anna-Sophie Schönfelder (JLU): "Capitalism - catalyst of equality or basis for inequality?"

Botao Wang (JLU): "Human dignity in an interpersonal relationship: critique of reciprocity in the Confucian natural law"

Masterclass

June 14, 2023 | Senatssaal, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Main Building (Ludwigstrasse 23)

Gargi Bhattacharyya

"Utilising the Concept of Racial Capitalism for Understanding the Central Violences of our Time."

in cooperation with the Sonderforschungsbereich 138 "Dynamics of Security".

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For further information see the Website.

International Conference

June 12-13, 2023 | Aula, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen Main Building (Ludwigstrasse 23)

"Democracy in Uncertain Times"

in cooperation with the Sonderforschungsbereich 138 "Dynamics of Security".

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Further information, full program and registration at the Conference-Website.

Lecture and Discussion (online only)

May 10, 2023 | 5-7 pm | online

Eva von Redecker (Verona)

Lecture and Discussion

April 26, 2023 | 5-7 pm | Zeughaus S3/online

Ayelet Banai (Haifa)

Semester Overview Summer Term 2023