Day 2 - Friday, October 6, 2023

David Rubenstein Forum, Friedman Hall

Rising Illiberalisms will interrogate the increasing intolerance of dissent and ideological difference from both ends of the socio-political spectrum. Political, social, and cultural discourse on the extreme right lionizes ‘free speech’ while seeking to suppress the expression of ideas from the left. Ron DeSantis’s Stop WOKE Act, now Florida state law, is only the most prominent legislative manifestation of this trend. Book bans and culture wars in schools are other examples. On the left end of the spectrum, we see demands for ideological conformity, evidenced for example in increasing willingness to shut down speakers on campus in the name of harm prevention. The commitment to genuine discussion across disagreement seems to be in decline. One way to characterize this is the rise of multiple illiberalisms, which may have diverse origins but can also reinforce each other. What is driving this trend, and what do the various illiberalisms have in common? Who do the ends of the spectrum actually speak for? What is at risk, and where might we find hopeful solutions that could break the fever?

David Rubenstein Forum, Friedman Hall

Social media has disrupted the environment for news and information, and also the society more broadly. While it holds open the promise of productive new modes of communication and connection, it has dangerously spread falsehoods, defamation, and fomented violence. How are these dynamics altering the environment for speech and interaction in higher education and broader discourse? Are widespread concerns about misinformation and Artificial Intelligence well-founded, or are they moral panics? This panel will bring together speakers from Law, Philosophy, Computer Science and Technology Studies for diagnosis and critique.

David Rubenstein Forum, University Room

Affective polarization, understood as the dislike and outright distrust of those outside of one’s own partisan group, has dramatically increased over the last three decades in the United States. For a system built on self-government, this trend is disconcerting to say the least. Negative feelings toward those with differing views on political questions not only undermines trust in democratic institutions, it deteriorates social cohesion more broadly. David Axelrod, veteran political strategist and founding Director of UChicago’s Institute of Politics, will lead a conversation with former U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp, Democrat of North Dakota, and Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina. Senators Heitkamp and Burr will discuss their experiences working across the aisle and their perspectives on the current state of affairs in Washington and in American cultural life.

David Rubenstein Forum, Friedman Hall

When commissioned to write a poem for an untitled sculpture by Pablo Picasso, the legendary Chicago poet Gwendolyn Brooks included the harrowing lines “Art hurts. Art urges voyages—and it is easier to stay at home.” How do we square the tendency for artistic creation to disturb and provoke while extending free expression to artists of all types? We value art within our democratic tradition, despite its provocations. What role does it play within our democracy? How might it surface hard questions? Why not just take Brooks’ easier path and stay at home? This special conversation features two exemplary individuals, University of Chicago Board Chair David M. Rubenstein and Pulitzer Prize winning author and playwright Ayad Akhtar, in a vibrant one on one.

David Rubenstein Forum, Friedman Hall

From the time of its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago included a vision of influencing the world beyond its gates. Our first President, William Rainey Harper, referred to this part of his plan as the “University Extension-work.” American higher education has always had a special role to play in disseminating ideas and improving civic life. This is includes building the capacity to engage with a diversity of conflicting ideas, cultivating free expression, and the distinct idea of academic freedom. In this panel, leaders from among the most vital institutions working on free expression in the country will share their perspectives and advice on what universities can do to improve and deepen the student and faculty experience with expression, dialogue across difference, and the creation of an engaged citizenry.