About the event
Democratic theory makes ample use of the term 'life', in speaking of 'democratic life', the democratisation of every sphere of life, and democracy itself as living. Yet no comprehensive understanding of 'life' has yet been established within democratic theory. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, arising in response to police brutality and systemic oppression, articulates the urgency of refocusing on life and its meaning. The article discussed in this event employs a grounded theory approach, enriched with participatory methods, to develop a radical democratic concept of life in conversation with the BLM movement.
Drawing on interviews and a focus group with BLM activists, as well as analysis of the social media hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, the article conceptualises life as the existence of a perspective that evolves through its fundamental interconnectedness. 'Life' is understood as a process of life-making. The article then outlines living democracy as an ever-evolving assemblage, formed of the constantly changing perspectives of its participants.
How to attend
This is a hybrid event that takes place both on campus and online. If you would like to attend the event on campus, register via Eventbrite to book your place.
The event will take place at the Westminster Forum, Fifth Floor, 32–38 Wells Street, London, W1T 3UW.
If you would like attend the event online, please email the seminar convener, Dr Jac St John, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, at [email protected].
About the speaker
Dr Hans Asenbaum is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis. His research interests include identity and inclusion in new participatory spaces, digital politics and theories of deliberative, participatory and radical democracy. His work has been published in the American Political Science Review, New Media & Society, Communication Theory, Politics & Gender, the European Journal of Social Theory, and Political Studies. Hans is Co-convener of the Participatory and Deliberative Democracy Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association in the UK. After defending his thesis at the University of Westminster, he held a position as Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, Germany. He has been invited for research visits and public lectures in Germany, Brazil and Australia and received several grants and scholarships.
About the Centre for the Study of Democracy
The Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), established in 1989, is based in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Westminster. At the Centre, academics working in politics and international relations undertake socially engaged, methodologically diverse and often interdisciplinary research that aims to address a range of critical political challenges in relation to democracy worldwide. Find out more about the Centre on the CSD webpage.
