2026 Lei Chen Memorial Lecture on Democracy and Human Rights - The Era of Democratic Dissatisfaction

Situated on the front lines of geopolitics as an emerging democracy, Taiwan is likewise grappling with issues such as trust in democratic institutions, social polarization, and pressure on constitutional operations. Rethinking the resilience of democratic institutions, the role of the Constitutional Court, and the function of civil society, as well as rebuilding public trust in democratic politics, have become urgent public issues.

For this year's lecture, we cordially invite Professor Richard H. Pildes of the New York University School of Law to deliver a keynote speech titled "The Era of Democratic Dissatisfaction."

Professor Pildes focuses on the institutional crises, political polarization, and declining democratic trust currently facing democratic politics, which deeply aligns with Mr. Lei Chen's long-standing concerns regarding liberal democracy, constitutional reform, and the development of democratic politics. This lecture will deepen Taiwanese society's public discussion of current democratic challenges through a dialogue between international scholarship and Taiwan's democratic experience.

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Event Information

Organizers

Lei Chen Memorial Foundation for Democracy and Human Rights (Charitable Trust)
Institute of Jurisprudence, Academia Sinica

Co-organizers

Judicial Reform Foundation
Fu Cheng Center for Democratic Studies