What is liberalism and why is it important?
Jan
14
06:00 PM - 07:15 PM
Freeregistration
Livestream
Shaping freedom and democracy
In Europe, the term liberal has been claimed by many political actors, blurring its meaning. In the U.S., liberal values are under attack from both sides – blamed by some for eroding family and traditional values, and by others for failing to tackle deep-seated inequalities, corporate power, and environmental destruction. Cass R. Sunstein invites us to look beyond these polarized views and reconsider what liberalism truly stands for. Has the idea of freedom lost its appeal, or do we simply take it for granted? Drawing on decades of research at the intersection of law, behavioral economics, and political theory, Sunstein explores the principles that sustain open societies – freedom, opportunity, and tolerance –, and why they are worth defending.
Building on themes from his latest book On Liberalism – In Defense of Freedom (2025), he reflects on how liberal ideas have evolved, why they are often misunderstood, and what challenges they face today. His lecture promises a thought-provoking exploration of the foundations of freedom and how we can renew and protect them in the twenty-first century.
Please note: This is a free, public event. Your ticket does not guarantee a seat in the auditorium. Access will be granted to registered guests on a first-come, first-served basis. An on-site broadcast room, a livestream and recording will be available.
In Europe, the term liberal has been claimed by many political actors, blurring its meaning. In the U.S., liberal values are under attack from both sides – blamed by some for eroding family and traditional values, and by others for failing to tackle deep-seated inequalities, corporate power, and environmental destruction. Cass R. Sunstein invites us to look beyond these polarized views and reconsider what liberalism truly stands for. Has the idea of freedom lost its appeal, or do we simply take it for granted? Drawing on decades of research at the intersection of law, behavioral economics, and political theory, Sunstein explores the principles that sustain open societies – freedom, opportunity, and tolerance –, and why they are worth defending.
Building on themes from his latest book On Liberalism – In Defense of Freedom (2025), he reflects on how liberal ideas have evolved, why they are often misunderstood, and what challenges they face today. His lecture promises a thought-provoking exploration of the foundations of freedom and how we can renew and protect them in the twenty-first century.
Speakers
Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard University and founder of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. He is also co-founder of the Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and the Law. From 2009 to 2012 he served as Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under President Obama and later advised Presidents Obama and Biden on issues of law and public policy. One of the world’s most influential legal scholars, he has contributed fundamentally to the understanding of behavioral economics, regulation, and democratic governance. In 2018, he received the prestigious Holberg Prize for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of law and the humanities. Among his many publications are Nudge (with Nobel laureate Richard Thaler), How Change Happens, Sludge, and The Cost-Benefit Revolution. His latest book, On Liberalism, offers a timely and powerful defense of liberalism as the foundation of freedom and self-government.
Professor of Economics, Direktor am UBS Center
Ernst Fehr promovierte 1986 an der Universität Wien. Seine Arbeit hat gezeigt, wie soziale Motive die Zusammenarbeit, Verhandlungen und Koordination zwischen Akteuren beeinflussen und wie sich dies auf das Funktionieren von Anreizen, Märkten und Organisationen auswirkt. Seine Arbeit identifiziert wichtige Bedingungen, unter denen die Zusammenarbeit floriert und zusammenbricht. Die Arbeit an den psychologischen Grundlagen von Anreizen informiert uns über die Vorzüge und Grenzen finanzieller Anreize für die Vergütung von Mitarbeitern. In anderen Arbeiten hat er die Bedeutung der Unternehmenskultur für die Leistung von Unternehmen gezeigt. In neueren Arbeiten zeigt er, wie sich soziale Motive darauf auswirken, wie Menschen über Fragen im Zusammenhang mit der Umverteilung von Einkommen abstimmen und wie Unterschiede in der inneren Geduld der Menschen mit der Ungleichheit des Wohlstands zusammenhängen. Seine Arbeit hat innerhalb und außerhalb der Wissenschaft mit mehr als 100.000 Zitaten von Google Scholar große Resonanz gefunden, und seine Arbeit wurde mehrfach in internationalen und nationalen Zeitungen erwähnt.
Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard University and founder of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. He is also co-founder of the Initiative on Artificial Intelligence and the Law. From 2009 to 2012 he served as Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under President Obama and later advised Presidents Obama and Biden on issues of law and public policy. One of the world’s most influential legal scholars, he has contributed fundamentally to the understanding of behavioral economics, regulation, and democratic governance. In 2018, he received the prestigious Holberg Prize for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of law and the humanities. Among his many publications are Nudge (with Nobel laureate Richard Thaler), How Change Happens, Sludge, and The Cost-Benefit Revolution. His latest book, On Liberalism, offers a timely and powerful defense of liberalism as the foundation of freedom and self-government.
Professor of Economics, Direktor am UBS Center
Ernst Fehr promovierte 1986 an der Universität Wien. Seine Arbeit hat gezeigt, wie soziale Motive die Zusammenarbeit, Verhandlungen und Koordination zwischen Akteuren beeinflussen und wie sich dies auf das Funktionieren von Anreizen, Märkten und Organisationen auswirkt. Seine Arbeit identifiziert wichtige Bedingungen, unter denen die Zusammenarbeit floriert und zusammenbricht. Die Arbeit an den psychologischen Grundlagen von Anreizen informiert uns über die Vorzüge und Grenzen finanzieller Anreize für die Vergütung von Mitarbeitern. In anderen Arbeiten hat er die Bedeutung der Unternehmenskultur für die Leistung von Unternehmen gezeigt. In neueren Arbeiten zeigt er, wie sich soziale Motive darauf auswirken, wie Menschen über Fragen im Zusammenhang mit der Umverteilung von Einkommen abstimmen und wie Unterschiede in der inneren Geduld der Menschen mit der Ungleichheit des Wohlstands zusammenhängen. Seine Arbeit hat innerhalb und außerhalb der Wissenschaft mit mehr als 100.000 Zitaten von Google Scholar große Resonanz gefunden, und seine Arbeit wurde mehrfach in internationalen und nationalen Zeitungen erwähnt.
Venue
Universität Zürich
Aula, KOL-G-201, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich
(Google Maps)