CONFERENCE CYCLE: WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
As part of the commemorations of the fiftieth anniversary of the 25th of April, this conference cycle aims to rethink the meaning, challenges, and prospects of one of the most essential concepts in political history: the concept of democracy. From its origins in Ancient Greece to its reinterpretation in modern revolutions, democracy has always been a controversial topic. Far from having a clear and precise content, it is defined by a continuous questioning of its meaning and purpose as a political regime. This feature becomes even more pronounced in times of crisis—such as our own—when collective existence is marked by growing problems and tensions, calling on us, as a community, to reflect on what it means to live democratically.

How can democracy respond to rising inequalities, authoritarian threats, and the complexities of globalization? What lessons can we draw from the historical processes of establishing and consolidating democracy? What role do democratic regimes play in promoting social justice, ecological sustainability, and the redefinition of sovereignty in hyperconnected societies? How can we reconfigure democratic ideals in light of past experiences of emancipation and resistance?

To explore these and other questions, the cycle will bring together experts from various disciplines, inviting them to discuss democracy through four fundamental lenses:

• Classical dimension: the roots of democracy and its models in Antiquity.

• Philosophical dimension: the nature and foundations of the concept of democracy.

• Historical dimension: the evolution of democracy over time.

• Economic dimension: the relationship between democracy, economic policies, and social justice.

Throughout these conferences, the aim is not only to understand the concept of democracy but also to foster a critical debate that goes beyond academic boundaries, engaging the public in the construction of new interpretations and democratic imaginaries.

More than a tribute to the 25th of April, the “What is Democracy?” cycle presents itself as a space of citizenship, a call to historical responsibility, and a commitment to the ideals that guided the Carnation Revolution, in an effort to connect the richness of its legacy with the concerns of the present and the promises of the future.