*Veuillez noter que l’événement se déroulera en Français.

As part of the Introduction to Political Philosophy Research course (GPL-2070), you are invited to participate in a roundtable discussion open to the public entitled: “Democracy and Populism: Is Populism the Downfall of Democracy?” This roundtable discussion will feature Professors Éric Montigny (Laval University) and Patrick Turmel (Laval University) and will be moderated by Professor Juliette Roussin (Laval University). It will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. in room FAS -140Z, Université Laval.

Summary of the Roundtable Discussion:

Populism arises from the crisis of liberal democracies. This populism is characterized by demands for more active direct democracy, greater sovereignty, stronger executive authority, a monopoly on representation, etc. It is manifest in events that require the direct expression of the will of the people, such as popular consultations, recall and repeal procedures initiated by the people, referendums, plebiscites, etc., and it is built around an idealized community, thus describing a true anti-political utopia: a united, authentic, and incorruptible people. Our discussions will focus on the relationship between representative democracies and populism. Multiple questions come to the fore:

1. Does populism undermine democracy? What kind of populism is harmful to democracy?
2. What populist strategies contribute to the weakening and impoverishment of democracies?
3. What are the signs of democratic fatigue that contribute to the rise of populism?
4. And finally, will populism prevail and transform democracy?

Invited Speakers:

Professor Éric Montigny – Department of Political Science.

A specialist in political activism, nationalism, and populism, he is co-director of the International Laboratory associated with Laval University and the University of Lausanne on political parties, representation, and sustainable development (PARDUR).

Professor Patrick Turmel – Department of Philosophy.

A specialist in ethics and political philosophy, he holds the Research Chair in “Democracy and Public Ethics”.

Guest Host:

Professor Juliette Roussin – Department of Philosophy.

Co-director of the political philosophy laboratory, she is interested in the democratic challenges posed by misinformation, political extremism, and the relationship between fiction, political narrative, and propaganda.