Developments In Civil Sphere Theory

Over the past two decades, Civil Sphere Theory has emerged as a influential development in contemporary cultural sociology. Initially formulated by Jeffrey C. Alexander as a framework for understanding democratic solidarity, symbolic inclusion, and the moral foundations of modern societies, the theory has generated a vibrant and expanding research program. Scholars have applied, revised, and extended its core concepts to examine social movements, populism, polarization, migration, digital communication, environmental conflicts, collective trauma, and struggles for recognition across diverse national and transnational contexts.This session invites contributions that assess and advance recent developments in Civil Sphere Theory. We seek papers that engage critically with the conceptual foundations of the civil sphere, explore its empirical applications, or propose new theoretical directions.

Possible topics include:

• Theoretical critiques of Civil Sphere Theory;
• Cultural Trauma and the Civil Sphere;
• Populism, polarization, and anti-civil discourse;
• Migration, diversity, and the boundaries of civil membership;
• Digital media, platforms, and civil communication;
• Civil Repair, Frontlash and Backlash;
• Civil Sphere Theory and post-colonial reflections;
• Civil spheres beyond the nation-state;
• Connections between Civil Sphere Theory andother contemporary theoretical traditions.

We welcome both theoretical and empirically grounded contributions. By bringing together scholars working on cultural sociology, political sociology, and social theory, this session aims to foster a discussion on the analytical potential of Civil Sphere Theory and its capacity to illuminate the moral and symbolic dynamics of contemporary democratic life.

Please submit an abstract of up to 250 words together with a short biographical note.