Sari Hanafi

At NIAS, Sari Hanafi will explore how symbolic liberalism can evolve into a dialogical form in times of crisis for liberal democracy. In a world shifting rightwards at a rapid pace, he argues that the pathologies of late modernity—authoritarianism, economic precarity, and environmental destruction—are unfolding in a context where reasonable debate is increasingly difficult. By examining flashpoints of contemporary polarisation, his research critiques how symbolic liberalism simultaneously emphasises the universality of rights while narrowing the space for genuine dialogue.

Hanafi advocates a dialogical turn: a renewed public sphere in which diverse conceptions of the ‘good’ engage in meaningful conversation, thereby strengthening the possibility of achieving a shared common good.

During his stay in the Netherlands, he will engage with the NIAS research team investigating academic freedom and societal polarisation, and will carry out fieldwork related to these themes, integrating theoretical insights with empirical observation.