Theorizing the Democratic Crisis: A Symposium on Jeffrey Alexander’s Frontlash/Backlash

This symposium engages with Jeffrey Alexander’s recent book Frontlash/Backlash (published in 2025) a significant contribution to civil sphere theory that places contestation over belonging at the centre of democratic life. The symposium opens with an introduction by Eric Taylor Woods, followed by critical commentaries from Matthias Revers, Lone Sorensen, and Maria Rovisco. Together, these contributions examine conceptual, empirical, and normative implications of Alexander’s argument. They raise questions about the place of regulative and communicative institutions in civil spheres, the impact of digital media in amplifying polarization, and the normative foundations of the distinction between ‘frontlash’ and ‘backlash’ movements. In response, Alexander offers a robust defence of his framework, clarifying its underlying assumptions and contesting key critiques. Ultimately, the symposium offers a sustained dialogue on the extent to which democratic societies can endure deepening polarization and escalating contestation.