Rome 2025: Universities, Elites, and the Future of Liberal Democracy

This initiative, launched with the support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the University of Zurich and the Clough Center at Boston College, brings together political philosophers, social scientists, and university leaders to examine the evolving role of higher education in sustaining liberal democracy. Once seen as engines of civic culture and leadership formation, universities are today accused of detachment and technocratic elitism. At the same time, they face growing pressure to adapt to populist and market demands. This meeting gathers leading thinkers and practitioners to confront these challenges, rethink how universities can combine excellence with social legitimacy, and explore how they might renew their democratic mission in an era of polarization and global change. An afternoon session will be open to the public on May 14th.