Date: April 21–22, 2026
Online Event | All Sessions in Brussels Time (CEST, UTC+2)
Click here to register!
Day One
(April 21, 2026)
Opening Remarks
(13:00–13:10)
Irina von Wiese (ECPS Honorary President)
Keynote Speech
(13:10–13:55)
“The Chicken-and-Egg Dilemma: Systemic Crises and the Rise of Populism,” by Staffan I. Lindberg (Professor of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Founding Director (2012–2025) of V-Dem Institute).
Coffee Break
(13:55–14:10)
Panel 1
From Promise to Peril: How Populists Deepen Structural and Economic Crises
(14:10–15:25)
Moderator
Emilia Zankina (Professor, Dean of Temple University Rome, Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Temple University).
Speakers
“‘Driving On the Right’: Analyzing Far-Right Rhetoric,” by Ruth Wodak (Distinguished Professor and Chair in Discourse Studies, Lancaster University; University of Vienna).
“The Theocratic Blueprint of Christian Nationalism, Reconstructionism, the New Apostolic Reformation, and Catholic Integralism Behind Trump’s Agenda,” by Julie Ingersoll (Professor of Philosophy & Religious Studies and Religious Studies Program Coordinator at the University of North Florida).
“International Organizations in Times of Populism,” by Stephan Klingebiel (Head of the Department of Inter- and Transnational Cooperation at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)).
“Humiliation, Elite Impunity, and the Anti-System Gamble: Weimar-Type Mechanisms in Contemporary Grievance Politics,” by Benjamin Carter Hett (Professor of History, Hunter College & The Graduate Center, CUNY).
Coffee Break
(15:25–15:40)
Panel 2
Institutional Vulnerabilities, Rule of Law, and Bureaucratic Resistance
(15:40–16:55)
Moderator
Malgorzata Bonikowska (Professor of European Studies, University of Warsaw).
Speakers
“Democratic Resilience Under Pressure: Institutions, Accountability, and the Return to Robust Democracy,” by Susan C. Stokes (Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy at the University of Chicago).
“To Resist a Coordinated Attack, We Need a Coordinated Defense,” by Robert Benson (Associate Director for National Security & International Policy, Center for American Progress (CAP)).
“The Law and Politics of Fear: Executive Power in 2026,” by Barry Sullivan (The Raymond and Mary Simon Chair in Constitutional Law and the George Anastaplo Professor of Constitutional Law and History at Loyola University).
"Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Regime Change: An Evolutionary Perspective,” by Stephen E. Hanson (Lettie Pate Evans Professor of Government, William & Mary (USA)).
Coffee Break
(16:55–17:10)
Panel 3
Media, Disinformation, and Digital Authoritarianism
(17:10–18:25)
Moderator
Albena Azmanova (Professor of Political Science, City, St George’s University of London).
Speakers
“The Arc of Authoritarian Populism in the US under Donald Trump, How Far It Has Progressed, and the Prospects of Reversing It,” by Larry Diamond (William L. Clayton Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution; Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy, Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI); Bass University Fellow).
“The Institutional Enablement of American Populism,” by Bruce Cain (Professor of Political Science, Stanford University; Director, Bill Lane Center).
“When Authoritarianism Becomes the New Normal: Civic Resistance and Institutional Renewal in Comparative Perspective,” by Ibrahim Al-Marashi (Assoc. Prof. at The American College of the Mediterranean, and the Department of International Relations at Central European University).
“Populism Paves the Way for Fascism,” by Douglas Holmes (Professor of Anthropology, University of Binghampton).
Wrap-up
(18:25–18:35)
Day Two
April 22, 2026
Opening
(13:00–13:05)
Keynote Speech
(13:05–13:50)
“Democratic Resilience in Europe: Can It Be Effective?” by Richard Youngs (Professor, Senior Fellow at Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at Carnegie Europe).
Panel 4
Comparative Regional Perspectives on Democratic Backsliding
(13:50–15:05)
Moderator
Reinhard Heinisch (Professor of Comparative Austrian Politics, University of Salzburg).
Speakers
“Title/TBC,” by Helmut K. Anheier (Professor of Sociology, Hertie School; Faculty Member, Luskin School of Public Affairs (UCLA)).
“Building an Authoritarian Edifice Step-By-Step,” by Henri J. Barkey (Cohen Professor of International Relations (Emeritus), Department of International Relations, Lehigh University).
“Populism and transnational ties of the far right in East Asia: Recent developments in South Korea,” by Hannes B. Mosler (Professor, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Institut für Politikwissenschaft (IfP), Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST)).
Paweł Zerka (Senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations). TBC
Coffee Break
(15:05–15:20)
Panel 5
Resistance, Civic Capacity, and Judicial Renewal
(15:20–16:35)
Moderator
Marianne Riddervold (Professor of International Relations, University of Oslo).
“Title/TBC,” by Steven Friedman (Research Professor of Politics, University of Johannesburg; former Director, Centre for the Study of Democracy).
“Penal Populism as a Regional Driver of Democratic Backsliding: Comparative Lessons from Anglophone Democracies and Beyond,” John Pratt (Emeritus Professor of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington).
“Weaponized Trade Policy: Tariffs, Industrial Policy, and the Future of Global Economic Governance,” by Kent Jones (Professor Emeritus of International Economics, Babson College.)
4th Speaker TBC
Closing Remarks
(16:35-16:50)
