Lars Binderup: ‘Everyone has a right to his own point of view’

Lars Binderup (left) and Maxim Khomyakov at the international seminar

The course of lectures on modern democracy, delivered by Danish professor Lars Binderup, was held at the UrFU Institute of Social and Political Sciences in the beginning of December.  Lars Binderup studies problems of democracy and tolerance in the University of Southern Denmark. Before his departure, he kindly answered some question for www.ustu.ru 

- What was the focus of your lectures?

- The central points of our discussion are two main concepts: democracy and tolerance. I was speaking about the important problems of the theory of democracy and presented a philosophical way of what it is like and why it is valuable for us. Most people understand democracy as a liberal one, that is, democracy limited with constitution and laws, and defending people and rights of the minorities. With the UrFU students, we concentrated on studying these boundaries. The next part of the course was devoted to the tolerance. In which case others can respect an individual’s choice of people, even if the majority does not approve it? Since the modern society is multicultural, there are several ways to judge such a case. In addition, we discussed, whether a liberal understanding of tolerance is sufficient for modern plural community or not. It is rather difficult to appreciate what real conflicts in the society are, because liberalism does not respond to new tensions and does not realize that existing individual rights are unable to defend a person.  

- Currently, the theme of elections is important for Russia: on December 4 there will be an elections of members of the parlament. Do you think democracy is possible in our country? 

- Of course, it is possible, but this demands a profound development of the civil society institutes and, in particular, mass media. It is necessary to educate the society that could be able to understand what the democracy is, and could also respect both itself and the rights of the others. You know, I am very optimistic now... Here I met many people from the academic environment, and they are like people living in the West. I suppose that a democratic way of life will take a certain amount of time, some change of generations, and now Russia is going in this direction. 

- Are the students of the Institute of Social and Politic Sciences interested in the topics of your lectures? Is there any recall? 

- I am very glad of my audience! The majority of it had participated quite actively in the discussion, asking lots of questions. The core of the students was from the group, studying philosophy, and their English is really good. Now, I am looking forward to reading their essays. 

- Tell us, please, about your cooperation with the colleagues from UrFU. 

- From 2005, I have been collaborating with the university, especially, with the Centre for Advanced Studies and Education and its director, Maxim Khomyakov. I am greatly interested in the cooperation with my Ural. Every time I come here, I learn something new. 

Christina Schur