As the world navigates through a pivotal year of elections in 2024, critical issues such as populism, economic inequality, artificial intelligence, climate change and disinformation are shaping the global discourse. Will this year be a make-or-break moment for democracy worldwide?
Join Trinity College Dublin’s School of Social Sciences and Philosophy for an insightful Public Autumn Series that explores the complexities shaping the future of global democracy.
Series Details
Dates: Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2024
Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location | JM Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
Cost | €7.00 per event
The Wealth Divide: Has Inequality Doomed The 2024 Elections?
Are societies on the brink of fracture due to economic inequality? As 2024 shapes up to be a historic year with record- breaking voter turnout, join us to explore the role of global economic inequality in shaping electoral outcomes.
Have our societies already been torn apart by gaping inequalities in wealth and incomes? Will populists capitalise on these divisions, or can they bridge the gap towards a more equitable society?
Join Dr. Marvin Suesse as he analyses the impact that inequality has had on recent global elections, and its implications for the upcoming US election & beyond.
Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location | JM Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
Cost | €7.00
The Moral Limits of Democracy
What does the term "democracy" mean today? It is traditionally understood as "majority rule," but now includes concepts like social equality, freedom of speech, rights, civil liberties, and the politics of persuasion.
This raises the question of whether there are justified exceptions to our respecting majority decisions: a question that is of special interest in a political climate where “populism” is typically used as a term of disapproval.
Join philosophers from Trinity College Dublin for a thought-provoking discussion on the true meaning of democracy.
Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location | JM Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
Cost | €7.00
Democracy and Social Media: Beyond the Spectacle of Like and Dislike
Has social media fatally undermined democratic politics? Once celebrated as a tool for democratisation and enlightenment capable of challenging authoritarian regimes, the internet and social media are now feared to expose a critical flaw in democracy.
While these platforms enhance political engagement, they also risk deepening polarisation, fostering toxic debates, and amplifying populist voices over factual discourse. Is social media a threat to democracy that requires government control and regulation, or an evolving tool for engagement and activism?
Join Dr David Landy from the Department of Sociology at Trinity College Dublin, who will use recent research to explore how democratic activism uses social media and how individuals and groups work to mitigate its negative effects.
Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location | JM Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
Cost | €7.00 per event
Election Watch 2024: A Global Perspective
Interested in the current state of democracy worldwide? Join us for a stimulating exploration of crucial elections unfolding worldwide in 2024.
From the United States to the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, and beyond, we'll explore where democracy is thriving and where it is struggling. What common trends emerge, and should they inspire confidence or concern?
Join an expert panel of political scientists from Trinity College Dublin as they analyse trends in democratic health and resilience worldwide, offering insights into the future of democratic governance.
Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Location | JM Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
Cost | €7.00 per event