Globally, there is rising concern over the future of liberal democracies. Far-right politicians and political parties are gaining power, often threatening the institutions, norms and practices of democratic governments. Building a politics of resentment that targets racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ communities, women and feminists, religious minorities, immigrants and the poor, they question the legal and economic rights that were hard won by these groups.

Thus, the current political situation demands renewed attention to the successes, failings, and as yet unrealized promises of democracy. Feminist scholars from diverse perspectives have long engaged with the most thorny issues for democracy, including issues of power, representation, deliberation, legitimacy, inclusion, freedom and justice. Feminist theorists and activists have been some of the harshest critics of the failings of existing democracies. At the same time, feminist scholars defend the importance of every day democratic practices and the crucial possibilities that emerge from engaged activism. Join us as we discuss with scholars and activists how to understand the current democratic crisis, to imagine what a feminist democratic future would look like, and to create together that future.