A panel discussion in English on hate speech entitled “The Rise of Toxic Politics: Can We Be Civil?”, will be held on November 19th, 19:30 at Hellenic American College, 22 Massalias Street, Kolonaki, 8th floor (Roof Garden). Produced by Hellenic American College, the discussion is one of the European satellite events in the “Battle of Ideas” festival organized by the London-based Academy of Ideas.

Looking at a world seemingly filled with slurs, angry comments, inflammatory remarks and fears about populism, many commentators have announced that we live in an age of toxic politics. The phrase purportedly captures the increasingly nasty, personal and hate-filled political discourse, as well as pointing to the corrosive effect of this on our political life. Perhaps this supposedly toxic and divisive politics is simply the return of big political questions after the ‘end of history’ period.

Should we lament a supposedly lost civility, or is the emergence of more forthright and angry disagreements in fact a good thing? What is the line between passionate disagreement and toxic bile? Ultimately, how do we live together when we disagree profoundly on major issues?

Speaking at the event will be: Konstantina E. Botsiou (Professor, Center for Greek and International History, University of the Peloponnese), Timandra Harkness (Journalist, Radio 4's FutureProofing and How to Disagree), Anna Nikolaou (Adjunct professor, Hellenic American University), Lamprini Thoma (Journalist, The Press Project). Moderator: Nikos Sotirakopoulos (Lecturer in sociology, York St. John University).

The event is produced by Hellenic American College / Hellenic American University in cooperation with the Academy of Ideas and the Hellenic American Union.

Information

Languages: EN

Interpretation Provided: No

Registration Required: No

Reservation Required: No

Admission Fee: Admission is free

Image: Battle of ideas