Michael Ignatieff Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences 2024

At its meeting in Oviedo, the Jury for the 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences, made up of María Paz Battaner Arias, Javier Echeverría Ezponda, Teresa Freixes Sanjuán, Juan Pablo Fusi Aizpurúa, Mauro Guillén Rodríguez, Silvia Iranzo Gutiérrez, Araceli Mangas Martín, Ricardo Martí Fluxá, Manuel Menéndez Menéndez, Jaime Montalvo Correa, Leandro Prados de la Escosura, María Dolores Puga González and Fernando Vallespín Oña, chaired by Alejandro Portes and with Jaime Pérez Renovales acting as secretary, has decided to grant the 2024 Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences to Canadian academic and essayist Michael Ignatieff.

His intense, multifaceted professional career, which ranges from the study of history and philosophy to the practice of journalism and politics, is characterized by applying critical thought to the major political conflicts of our time. In his work, the analysis of specific political problems is always carried out with a view to the exacting standards of democratic systems. The result is an original mix of political realism, humanism and liberal idealism, in which concern for the values of freedom, human rights, tolerance and the safeguarding of institutions comprise his fundamental concern.

This author’s contribution constitutes an essential benchmark to guide us in these present times replete with armed conflicts, political polarization and threats to freedom.

Oviedo, 15th May 2024