Workshop on Democratic and Anti-Democratic Discourses in 19th-Century Britain

A REDIRECT event was held at the University of Exeter exploring historical debates on democracy and anti-democratic thought in nineteenth-century Britain. The workshop, titled Democratic and Anti-democratic Discourses in 19th-Century Britain, brought together scholars to examine how political ideas and debates shaped the development of modern democratic practices and institutions.

The event featured two presentations: Anti-Democratic Discourse in 19th-Century Britain by Cesare Cuttica (Paris 8 and Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies), and Elizabeth Heyrick’s Democratic Thought: Abolitionism, Freedom, and Extra-Parliamentary Political Action by Ross Carroll (Dublin City University). Chaired by Dario Castiglione, the discussion examined the historical roots of democratic and anti-democratic discourses and their relevance for contemporary debates on representation and political participation.

The workshop gathered around twenty participants and provided a forum for scholarly exchange within the REDIRECT network on the intellectual foundations of democratic representation.

Date: 3 November 2025

Location: Exeter, United Kingdom

Partner: University of Exeter (UNEXE)

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