Politics of knowledge and (liberal) democracy

Abstract

This panel engages with the conceptual analysis of politics, democracy and knowledge. It addresses the problematics of political uses of knowledge, especially in terms of rhetoric and discursive tools, and their potential consequences for democracy from a broad, conceptual perspective, welcoming both empirical and theoretical contributions. It explores the roles of different actors in democratic decision-making, including politicians, civil servants, experts, lobbyists and academics, who all contribute to the politics of knowledge in liberal democratic institutions. It aims to discuss the following questions: What is the role of experts and knowledge in democratic politics? How do politicians talk about experts and knowledge? How is, for example, the concept of academic freedom utilised in political debates? Considering the practical uses of knowledge in politics, what are the implications for democracy?

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