Events

Past Event

Democratic Politics and the Problem of Mistrust in Experts

April 20, 2023
9:15 AM - 4:15 PM
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Interchurch Center (Sockman Lounge), 61 Claremont Avenue, New York

Event Description

Since the beginning of the pandemic, a deepening crisis of trust in American institutions has become apparent. This phenomenon encompasses not only governmental bodies but also the fields of science, media, and expert systems more broadly. The Trust Collaboratory’s official launch event explores what has led to this seemingly unprecedented rise of mistrust. The lineup of international speakers shares the belief that mistrust in expertise represents a danger to democratic politics insofar as science and experts are integral to the checks and balances on which liberal democracies depend for their health and functioning. The conference will provide a platform for examining how some of the processes that undermine expert authority, including the diversification and socialization of expertise, have also had the salutary effect of democratizing expertise. Speakers will explore this tension between the erosion of democracy and the democratization of expertise, seeking to advance our understanding of the potential risks and opportunities this process has unleashed.

Event Information

Free and open to the public; registration required. For more information, please visit the event webpage or email Cristian Capotescu at [email protected]. Hosted by the Trust Collaboratory at Columbia University.