Change through (Dis)Agreement: Reforming the Rule of Law in a Divided Society
In Poland, the election of President Karol Nawrocki in June 2025 has demonstrated that revolutionary conservative movements continue to resonate with voters, even after their attacks on democratic institutions are exposed or partially reversed. The challenge of restoring the Rule of Law in deeply divided societies is not confined to Poland; it is a growing concern across Europe and beyond.
So how can democracies engage with electorally successful illiberal movements without compromising core democratic values? As part of our re:constitution programme, we will be disecting this question and many more at a seminar co-hosted with Social Contract Incubator:
Change through (Dis)Agreement: Reforming the Rule of Law in a Divided Society' Monday 2 March 2026 At the Integrative Research Institute Law & Society (LSI) Humboldt University of Berlin Register now
We will draw on the cross-partisan insights of the bestselling book Let’s Agree on Poland: A Case Study in Strategic Constitutional Design. A book that brought together progressive and conservative voices to propose comprehensive constitutional reforms in Poland, offering a unique model for bridging political divides.
Building on this experience, leading experts from across the political spectrum will discuss how Poland’s contested Rule of Law restoration process can provide lessons for other constitutional systems facing similar challenges.The event will explore the practical and ethical dilemmas of democratic renewal in polarised environments, from negotiating with illiberal actors to designing reforms that uphold democratic resilience. This seminar promises a constructive exchange on one of Europe’s most pressing issues.
AGENDA
08:45 09:15
Registration
09:15 09:30
Opening remarks
09:30 10:45
Panel 1: Failed Counter-Revolution? Were the efforts to stop and reverse the conservative revolutionary moment—or, in liberal eyes, the rule-of-law backsliding—doomed from the start?
International commentators: Prof. Rosalind Dixon & Prof. Peter Lindseth IUS respondents: Prof. Adam Czarnota & Prof. Anna Wojciuk
10:45 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 12:15
Panel 2: Should We Negotiate with Rule-of-Law Breakers? In Poland, both liberals and conservatives now accuse each other of breaking the constitution. Is a “round table” with constitutional offenders a legitimate—or necessary—path?
International commentators: Prof. Paul Blokker & Prof. Bogdan Iancu IUS respondents: Prof. Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer, Dr. Jacek Sokołowski & Prof. Mirosław Granat
12:15 13:00
Lunch
13:00 14:15
Panel 3: A Progressive–Conservative Constitutional Deal? Could territorial power-sharing form the basis of a durable constitutional settlement for the 21st century?
International commentators: Prof. Fernanda Nicola & Prof. Martin Loughlin IUS respondents: Prof. Maciej Kisilowski & Prof. Arkadiusz Radwan
14:15 14:30
Coffee break
14:30 15:45
Panel 4: What are the Polish lessons for Europe? Given the contested attempt at re-democratisation and repair of the rule of law in Poland, what are the lessons for the region? With some countries in Europe (Hungary, Slovakia) and further away (the United States), looking at the possibility of undergoing such a process in the coming years, which of the Polish experiences are worth replicating - and which are best avoided?
International commentators: Zsuzsanna Vegh & Dr Maria Skóra IUS respondents: Wojciech Przybylski & Prof. Artur Wołek
