USS Brings Together Renowned Scholars for International Workshop on the Free Society

The Philosophy Institute of Universidad San Sebastián brought together researchers such as David Thunder, Constanza Mazzina, and Alejandra Salinas at the international workshop “Rethinking the Free Society” to reflect on social freedom from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The Philosophy Institute of Universidad San Sebastián (USS) hosted the international workshop “Rethinking the Free Society”, held on January 13th and 14th, bringing together distinguished national and international scholars to reflect on the concept of social freedom from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The event took place in the workshop space of the Bachelor of Arts in Heritage Conservation, offering a dynamic and innovative academic environment for discussion. Participants included economists, philosophers, political scientists, and historians, who engaged in thought-provoking debates on topics such as governance, democracy, and the future of free societies.

Dr. Eduardo Fuentes, Director of the Philosophy Institute, stated: “Events like this strengthen Universidad San Sebastián’s commitment to research in the humanities and social sciences, fostering global dialogue and reflection on the moral foundations of a free and just society.”

Featured Scholars and Topics

Among the standout participants was Dr. David Thunder of Universidad de Navarra, Spain, a leading figure in political philosophy. Known for his critique of traditional statist models, Thunder has developed a line of research focused on decentralized governance, as explored in his recent book, The Polycentric Republic (Routledge, 2024). His work extends beyond academia, aiming to cultivate a deeper understanding of freedom as a core element of contemporary life.

Dr. Constanza Mazzina, a political science researcher at Universidad del CEMA in Argentina, offered a compelling critique of democracy and autocratization processes in Latin America. Her insights illuminated the political tensions affecting the region and underscored the importance of institutional strength.

Dr. Alejandra Salinas, professor at Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (Argentina), contributed with her research at the intersection of literature and politics in Latin America. Her presentation emphasized the cultural dimensions of political processes, offering a rich, interdisciplinary perspective that broadened the workshop’s scope.

The workshop also featured Kaveh Pourvand, a USS academic trained at the London School of Economics, who presented his research on the social ontology of the state and the conceptual relationship between freedom and social unity. His work forms part of a broader research project that originated with his doctoral thesis, analyzing experiences of alignment in contemporary societies.

An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Freedom

This international workshop served as a unique platform for intellectual exchange and critical reflection on the challenges freedom faces in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. The gathering highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in exploring political and social theory.

The initiative was made possible thanks to support from Fondecyt Initiation Grant N°11230139, titled “Pluralism and Tolerance: A Respectful Framework of Active Tolerance”, led by Dr. Eduardo Fuentes Caro, as well as Fondecyt Regular Grant N°1241862, “Democracy or Market? The Dilemma of Justice in Libertarian Theories”, led by Dr. Felipe Schwember Augier, researcher at Faro UDD.