Department of Philosophy and Religious studies University of Pardubice cordially invites you to submit an abstract for the upcoming conference Neoliberalism Without Critique?
Abstract:
In terms of wealth distribution, the Czech Republic is currently one of the least egalitarian countries in the world. Traditionally, right-leaning philosophical and economic theorists argue that such economic inequalities are an inevitable outcome of a neoliberal society that consistently upholds the value of individual freedom. Left-leaning authors, however, point to an internal tension within this position: empirically, economic inequalities in fact undermine freedom. This becomes particularly evident when wealth can be translated into political power, for instance through advertising, political donations, or private ownership of the media. Under such circumstances, the wealthy hold greater political influence, which stands in direct contradiction to the democratic ideal of equal political influence. If this argument is sound, one might expect Czech political-economic philosophical literature to show a deeper interest in analysing the impact of the neoliberal order on democratic values. Yet such critical engagement is conspicuously lacking in the Czech philosophical discourse. This conference invites contributions that explore why this is the case and what might be done about it.
The conference organizers welcome abstracts (no longer than 300 words and preferably in English) that address the question of why the Czech discourse lacks reflection on - and critique of - neoliberal hegemony of the kind commonly found, for example, in the Anglo- American contexts of the United States or the United Kingdom. The aim of the conference is not only to reflect on this absence, but also to explore ways of further developing critical thinking about neoliberalism within the Czech intellectual landscape. Abstracts from non-philosophical or interdisciplinary scholarly approaches are also warmly welcomed.
Additional topics considered for presentation include:
- Are economic inequalities in the Czech Republic truly a problem for political equality?
- Does neoliberalism dominate in the Czech context?
- Tendencies toward depoliticization within Czech academia
- Does it make sense to draw on Marxist vocabulary when criticizing neoliberalism, given the communist history of the Czech (and former Czechoslovak) Republic?
- Are cultural or economic issues more important in politics?
Submission deadline: 30th April 2026
Submission address: serhij[dot]kis[at]upce[dot]cz
Conference date: 17th and 18th September 2026
Conference venue: Pardubice, Czech Republic
