This conference will take place at the Université libre de Bruxelles, on September 8-9, 2025.

Conservative, radical, and far-right discourses are experiencing significant growth in Europe and the Americas. Historically, the "reactionary rhetoric" identified by Albert Hirschman opposed human rights, universal suffrage, and the welfare state. Today, it primarily targets progressive movements such as feminism, environmentalism, and anti-racism.

These discourses are no longer confined to traditional far-right groups but have increasingly infiltrated public debate through hybrid discursive forms. Their transnational circulation—between Europe, North America, and Latin America—reflects an evolving anti-progressive imaginary, shaped by media, social networks, and various political actors.

This conference aims to explore these phenomena from multiple perspectives:

• Analysis of recurring lexicon and arguments (e.g., wokisme, feminazi, grand remplacement).

• Interaction of these discourses with other political and social movements.

• Circulation of ideas and their adaptation to different national and cultural contexts.

• The role of media and influencers in disseminating and legitimizing these discourses.

Submissions in French, English, or Spanish are welcome, adopting an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the rise and impact of reactionary discourses on a global scale. 📌 Submission deadline: April 28, 2025

👉 Join us for this crucial discussion on the evolution of contemporary political discourse.