Department of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago

Title and Précis:

Modern Democratic Legitimation Theory: Does it translate to Multicultural Catholic Contexts?

     This research project compares the demographic data and political culture of the United States to that of selected countries within the scope of the DCCIRP (Indonesia, Lithuania, and Peru) and will investigate whether a single philosophical perspective on the separation of Church and state is feasible. The project will also attempt to answer this question: can a political culture infused with religion function to promote the transition toward secular democracy; and conversely, can such a democracy promote the flourishing of religious political culture without losing its liberal identity? This research will be primarily philosophical and make use of past research concerning human rights, group rights for minorities, immigration, methods of democratic representation, and models of deliberative democracy.

Biography:

     Dr. Ingram received his Doctoral degree in Philosophy from the University of California at San Diego in 1980.  He was Assistant Professor at the University of Northern Iowa from 1980-1987 until coming to Loyola University Chicago in 1987 where he is a Full Professor.  Dr. Ingram has authored five books since 2000 which include studies of Habermas, law, democracy and identity politics, and group rights.  Dr. Ingram has over 90 articles and chapters published on French, German, and Anglo-American social and political philosophy; philosophy of law; disability theory, immigration theory, critical race theory, democratic theory, global distributive justice and human rights.