Democracy and War

– A Philosophical Workshop with Martha C. Nussbaum

Time: June 5–6, 2025
Venue: Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Fabianinkatu 24A, 3rd floor, Common Room

In the modern Western political tradition, democracy has been inherently linked to peace. The underlying assumption has been that political communities that value freedom, equality, and justice seek to avoid military ventures and use peaceful negotiation to resolve possible conflicts. Now we live in a time when even the most robust democracies are preparing for war. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are bringing atrocities closer to countries that have lived in peace for decades. Also, the nature of war has transformed by hybrid warfare, which seeks to weaponize the economy, the media, and even culture. European nations are arming themselves against the threat of Russian aggression and preparing their armed forces for a possible US withdrawal from NATO. As enormous amounts of public funding are used to build up armies, increasingly many societal questions are viewed through the lens of securitization. How can democratic societies deal with the pressures of war and militarization? What can we learn from our heritage, from history, philosophy, and the arts? How can we retain our commitment to democratic values in a time of multiplying crises and conflicts? What inner attitudes and emotions can help us deal well with these challenges?

Program

Wednesday, June 4

12:00–14:00 Public Event: The Role of Art in Troubled Democracies – A Dialogue with Philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum

Thursday, June 5

11:30–12:00 Coffee and Welcome

12:00–12:45 Martha C. Nussbaum: War and Two Types of Pacifism

12:45–13:00 Comment by Mikko Yrjönsuuri

13:00–13:30 General Q&A

13:30–14:30 Lunch

14:30–15:15 William King: Beyond the Front-line? Democratic Practices, Weapons of War, and Revolutions, 1960–90. 

15:15–16:00 Timo Miettinen: Democracy and Time: Exploring Novelty and Rupture

16:00–16:30 Coffee

16:30–17:15 Sami Pihlström: The Ultimate Safeguard of Democracy? On the Ethics and Metaphysics of Nuclear Deterrence

17:15–18:00 Mervi Heikkinen: Cultivating Capabilities for Peace in the Arctic Frontiers

18:00– Reception for all participants

Friday, June 6

10:00–10:45 Walter Rech: Wars and Republics: Machiavellian Connections 

10:45–11:30 Tim Stuart-Buttle: Equality and Its Discontents: Hobbes on Democracy, War, and the “Mortall God”

11:30–12:00 Coffee

12:00–12:45 Cesare Cuttica: Warring About Democracy, Culture and Science: Nineteenth-Century Lessons

12:45–13:30 Tuukka Brunila: Between War and Peace – Democracy in the Era of Hybrid Warfare

13:30–14:30 Lunch

14:30–15:15 Nicole Hassoun: Title TBD

15:15–16:00 Kai Alhanen: Orwell on War and Totalitarianism

16:00–16:45 Antti Kauppinen: War and Partiality

Registration

Admission to this event is free and open to all. Please register for the workshop by completing the form below by May 25, 2025:
Registration: Democracy and War – A Philosophical Workhop with Martha C. Nussbaum.

If you would like to cancel your participation, please notify HCAS Technical Assistant Siiri Virta via email at siiri.virta@helsinki.fi