“Politics is a Woman” – participation, deliberation, expert rule
On March 6–7, the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Wrocław (UWr) is organizing a conference under the theme “Politics is a Woman.” The event will commence at 11:15 AM at the Library of the University of Wrocław. Among the guests and speakers will be female political scientists specializing in the legitimization of power from various perspectives, as well as researchers from related social science disciplines. The organizing committee includes: dr hab. Patrycja Matusz, prof. UWr, dr hab. Marzena Cichosz, prof. UWr, dr hab. Małgorzata Madej, dr hab. Magdalena Mikołajczyk, dr Marlena Piotrowska, dr Róża Norström and dr Paulina Barczyszyn-Madziarz.
The objective of the conference is to consider three potential tools for improving democratic political regimes, which may contribute to overcoming the crisis of trust between the governing and the governed:
- participation: involving citizens in decision-making processes to bridge the gap and reduce the alienation of elites;
- deliberation: discussion on selecting the right solutions, aimed at incorporating the interests of the widest possible group of citizens and building mutual understanding;
- expert rule (technocracy): the role of specialists tasked with promoting the best and most effective solutions to enhance the quality of governance.
The program’s framework includes the presentation of theoretical and empirical findings, a discussion of both good and bad practices regarding participation, deliberation, and expert rule, a diagnosis of the current state and future prospects, and the identification of further areas and opportunities for scientific research.
The first decades of the 21st century have been a period of progressive destabilization in both international and domestic politics across many developed nations. In both Europe and North America, symptoms of a crisis of trust in democracy and political regimes are evident, alongside the phenomenon described as democratic backsliding. Conversely, a debate continues among practitioners and researchers on how to restore the legitimacy of power and strengthen liberal democracy. The conference program is part of this discussion, with a particular focus on the role of women in these processes.
Translated by Aleksandra Brzeska (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Date of publication: 05.03.2026
Added by: EJK
