Traveling Liberalisms

Abstract

Whether we consider liberalism as a single political theory or rather as a political ideology whose manifold articulations do not share more than a family resemblance, liberalism is widely regarded as having universal reach in its concepts and arguments. “Universal” here describes two interrelated, yet distinct features: On the one hand, liberal languages are constituted by rather abstract terms which assure continuity throughout fluctuating political agendas. In this respect, liberalism distinguishes itself particularly from conservatism, which, due to its cherishing of experience, can feature varying and less abstract concepts. On the other hand, due to the important role of rationality in liberal anthropology, liberal arguments are also universal in claiming plausibility irrespective of linguistic, cultural or political borders. But how has liberal universalism been undone in re-invented in history? This panel will suggest approaching this question by focusing on thinkers, including intellectuals, activists, and politicians, whose articulation of liberal ideas was importantly shaped by the experience of different cultural contexts. Be it in voluntary travels, in the context of migration, or forced exile, the re-integration of novel experiences into the liberal framework can bring to the fore the reinvention of liberal universalism, but possibly also its problematization and struggle for alternative variants within the liberal universe.