Roundtable Discussion for Jan Rovny's Book Launch: Ethnic Minorities, Political Competition, and Democracy: Perspectives of Circumstantial Liberals
In a thought-provoking discussion at Sciences Po, researchers delved into the complex relationship between ethnic minorities and liberal democracy, focusing particularly on the French context.
Jan Rovny, one of the speakers, presented the core argument of his book, which underscores how the political preferences and behavior of ethnic minorities can challenge the universalist ideals of liberal democracy. Rovny's work also offers new insights on democratic support of ethnic minorities across Europe.
The dynamic described in Rovny's book shapes political cleavages, influences party systems, and informs the absorption of new political issues. In France, this dynamic manifests in tensions around the republican principle of universalism, which officially rejects ethnic or racial categorization. This approach tends to "disappear" or ignore ethnic identities, complicating minority political expression and recognition within liberal democratic frameworks.
Ethnic minorities—especially from former colonies and predominantly Muslim backgrounds—face social and political marginalization that affects their political preferences and behavior. This includes grappling with issues such as immigration policy, social exclusion, and religious expression, all of which intersect with the rise of far-right parties like the National Rally. The National Rally leverages restrictive immigration stances and anti-Islam rhetoric to shape political debates, which in turn influences minority political responses and behavior, often polarizing the electorate and challenging the inclusive aspirations of liberal democracy.
Vincent Tiberj, affiliated with Sciences Po Bordeaux, and Mirna Safi, affiliated with Sciences Po, CRIS, also participated in the discussion. They shared their perspectives on how the book's theory and arguments apply to the French context. The presence of ethnic minorities, according to Rovny's work, can be a force for liberal democracy, but their political behavior is influenced by both exclusionary political forces and a republican system that tends to suppress ethnic difference in public political life.
The discussion also highlighted the book's suggestion that ostracized ethnic minorities, perceived as a cultural or political threat by significant portions of the majority, are more likely to support counter-majoritarian aspects of democracy. This leads to the formation of liberal and illiberal political poles.
Joining the discussion were Nonna Mayer, affiliated with Sciences Po, CEE, and CNRS. All speakers were associated with Sciences Po, making for a rich and insightful exchange of ideas.
This discussion provides a timely exploration of the complexities surrounding ethnic minorities and their role in democratic societies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and the general public alike.
The complexities surrounding ethnic minorities and their role in democratic societies are ongoing topics in policy-and-legislation discussions, as illustrated by the thought-provoking event at Sciences Po. The dynamics between ethnic minorities and liberal democracy, particularly in the French context, reveal a complex web intertwining politics, social issues, and general news, such as immigration policy, social exclusion, and religious expression.
