About us

The Alexis de Tocqueville Center for Political and Legal Thought is a research unit within the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Łódź. The Center draws upon the legacy of the author of Democracy in America. This legacy allows for integration of traditions such as liberalism, conservatism, and Christian democracy, while remaining open to a creative dialogue with the full range of the political spectrum of contemporary liberal democracy.

Tocqueville’s thought, and consequently the mission of the Center, is inherently linked to the republican ethos, which is based on civic participation, non-domination, and law’s commitment to the common good. Tocqueville’s legacy encourages examination of fundamental modern values through the lens of their practical application, recognizing that they do not always cohere in perfect harmony. It therefore leaves room for axiological skepticism, inspires the movement of ideas, and demands scholarly objectivism as well as a critical approach to reality.

In its numerous activities, the Center engages in various formats, including scholarly research, publication series, and academic events (conferences, debates, and workshops). These initiatives are guided by the aspiration for thoughtful reflection on values, pressing public issues, and rapid changes within the law. The Cente aims to stimulate high-quality academic debate on law and continuously enhance the competencies of diverse actors within academia, in collaboration with the socio- economic environment.

The Center was established in 2007, as an initiative of scholars working at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Łódź: Zbigniew Rau, Maciej Chmieliński, and Kazimierz M. Ujazdowski. Currently, Michał Rupniewski, a researcher at the same faculty, is the Director of the Center.