Final Report Summary - RECAMP (Rethinking the status of refugees beyond the camp: a Lefortian response to Agamben’s critique of democracy and human rights) The main aim of the project was to criticize illiberal ideas of rights and democracy (as present in Arendt or Marx) and to find a French alternative in Lefort’s innovative theory, as expanded by his students such as Gauchet and Rosanvallon. All research activities basically dealt with this major issue and tried to show, through different publications and conference papers, that the French alternative is indeed more convincing regarding the topics of human rights and democracy. The first research objective, which was to deepen Lefort’s work, has been fully realized. Apart from better understanding Lefort’s work through a confrontation with other thinkers such as Arendt, Marx and Habermas, Lefort’s legacy in the work of Gauchet and Rosanvallon was also explored in greater detail. The second research objective applied Lefort’s ideas to the status of the stateless and the “state of nature”. This is documented in the article on Lefort, Arendt and Marx, which was published and was subsequently presented to and discussed with different audiences in Brussels, Leuven and Montréal. In the context of the fellow’s teaching assignments the project focused on the refugee crisis. Also the third research objective, which consisted in meeting four possible objections to Lefort’s theory, has been realized. Three of the four objections were largely met in articles and research mentioned under the first research objective and the fourth objection was dealt with in a conference presentation on Gauchet’s philosophy of history. During the 24-month fellowship, the fellow published 4 papers, 4 book-chapters and submitted 2 further papers. He also participated in 6 international conferences and workshops and also published one textbook. Through these publications in three languages and participation in many conferences in four different languages, but also through library and archival research, the grant contributed to the scientific success of the fellow’s research career. The grant also expanded his networks inside and outside the ERA. As part of this grant the fellow spent around 120 days at the Center for European Studies (CES) at Harvard University. The grant also allowed the fellow to (re)integrate into the Francophone part of the ERA (which he had until then almost not explored) through a research stay at Sciences Po in Paris. The fellow also fostered contacts with researchers in Québec and established crucial networks with the French-speaking part of Belgium. The fellow continued his integration in the German-speaking part of the ERA by writing two book-chapters and by publishing in a German journal. Finally, within the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, the fellow reestablished himself within the Flemish academic community through an appointment at the KU Leuven (his host institution), a conference presentation in Ghent and through a part-time guest professorship at the University of Antwerp. Given the multilingual nature of the ERA these contacts and networks are essential for his permanent integration into the ERA.
