2004 | 2003 | 2002

“Discourse and Democracy”
October 20-21, 2004

"Discourse and Democracy" was the theme of the third LaBrosse-Levinson Lectures presented by the Center on Religion and Democracy and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. On Wednesday, October 20, 2004, David Brooks, renowned New York Times columnist, discussed how the media chooses to inform the public, especially during the months preceding a presidential election. On Thursday, October 21, 2004, eminent scholars Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, Todd Gitlin, and John Searle discussed the evolving nature of freedom of speech in America, and how politicians, the media, and special interest groups make use of that freedom to influence the public.

Papers from this conference are published in the Fall 2004 issue of The Hedgehog Review.

“Religion, Justice, and Violence”
November 7, 2003

The second LaBrosse-Levinson Lectures centered on the theme of “Religion, Justice, and Violence.” Khaled Abou El Fadl, René Girard, Danièle Hervieu-Léger, and Mark Juergensmeyer addressed the relationship between justice and violence in the global order, paying particular attention to the role of religion. Violence has often been carried out in the name of high ideals, indeed, for the purpose of justice itself. The speakers took up the following questions: Is it hollow to praise justice without being willing to use force in its pursuit? Or can force ever be a means to just ends and public goods? Are there moral ideals or principles that can guide us through this complicated and troublesome time? Precisely because facile slogans and inflammatory rhetoric surround these issues, we are keen to deepen the discourse by creating a forum for scholarly discussion motivated by humane concerns.

Papers from this conference are published in the Spring 2004 issue of The Hedgehog Review.

“America in the World”
November 7-8, 2002

Around the world, the word “America” is as likely to evoke exasperation as admiration. For some, America is the land of equality, liberty, and opportunity. For others, America is the modern day equivalent of an empire, expanding its economic and political dominance and strengthening its grip on the world scene. Beyond these two extremes there are a myriad of middle-ground positions in which America’s legacy is mixed. Former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, scholar Samuel Huntington, and journalist Robert Kaplan addressed this most timely of topics in the first Labrosse-Levinson Lectures. At issue is "America in the World" -- the nature and future of American global primacy.

Papers from this conference are published in the Spring 2003 issue of The Hedgehog Review.