Authors

Discussion

Adding to the literature on illiberalism (Laruelle, 2022; Varga & Buzogàny, 2021; Coman, Behr & Beyer, 2021) and “culture wars” (Hunter, 1991; Barša, Hesová & Slačálek, 2021) this research examines the contribution of Central European intellectuals (Romanian, Czech, Hungarians, Polish) to the diffusion of conservative and anti-liberal ideas through transnational networks such as the Center for European Renewal (CER). Based on ethnographic and sociological survey (participant observation during two CER’s meetings (Oxford, 2022, Utrecht, 2023), 25 interviews with conservative intellectuals from several European countries (UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania) and documentary analysis), the presentation analyzes how these intellectuals contribute to the diffusion and circulation of a conservative doxa between academia, the political arena and the public space. The presentation tackles the main ideological trends, their national and transnational roots, and their connection with the biographies of the actors from CEE involved in these organization.