The 12 mirror surfaces of the dodecahedron are an expression of the diversity of perspectives and reflexivity of research at SCRIPTS.
Mrs. Börzel, the object that symbolizes your Cluster of Excellence in the campaign is a mirrored dodecahedron, i.e. a twelve-sided geometric body. What is it all about?
Tanja Börzel: At SCRIPTS, we look at the liberal script and its controversies from many different theoretical and methodological perspectives. At the same time, we are constantly reflecting on our object of research, the research context and also the process of how we conduct our research. The 12 mirror surfaces of the dodecahedron are an expression of this diversity of perspectives and reflexivity.
The subject of your research is the liberal script. What do you understand by this term?
Börzel: The liberal script is a concept under which we summarize liberal ideas and institutions for the organization of societies. The disputes surrounding these liberal ideas of order and institutions are reflected in very specific socio-political controversies: these include the rise of right-wing populism in large parts of Europe, dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - for example, the issue of compulsory vaccination and the closure of schools, or the current debate about anti-Semitism. These are all topics that affect the liberal script. Because they always involve the question of the extent to which my individual rights may be restricted by the community for the good of the community. So our research has a lot to do with each and every one of us.
So is SCRIPTS helping to save liberalism?
Börzel: We are not the cluster defending the liberal script. But if we understand how conflicts surrounding the liberal script work, what driving forces are behind the increasing radicalization and polarization, for example, and what effects this in turn has on the liberal script, then we can also consider how the resilience of liberal societies can be strengthened.