This seminar offers a perspective on juridification by way of approaching it through the prism of Michel Foucault's analysis of forms of government, which map and conceptualize the historical changes that the exercise of political sovereignty has undergone historically. The juridification discussed is primarily the constitutionalization of the exercise of political sovereignty in relation to the economy that has occured in large parts of Europe during the last few decades, but to some extent also the massive legislation that has taken place ever since the eighteenth century, and with particular intensity since the emergence of the welfare state.Moreover, this seminar analyses Foucault's account of the role of law in the exercise of political sovereignty. The question in focus here is whether Foucault's accentuation of the role of law in the contemporary exercise of political power in the lecture course that he delivered at Collège de France in 1979, revised his earlier, notorious, argument from 1976 about the diminishing significance of law in modernity, or if it rather suggested that the tendency towards law's decline was itself reversed by the end of the twentieth century. It will be argued that if we keep in mind the dual character of law as an instrument for the exercise of political sovereignty as well as a limitation thereof, we will see that the differing ways in which Foucault has described law's relation to the exercise of political sovereignty captures actual historical shifts in this relationship.Leila Brännström is a postdoctoral research associate at the department of Law, University of Lund. Her current research examines the changing notion of discrimination in the Swedish context.

A lively discussion about Freedom of Information, Open Government and the vital role of records and archives in sustaining democracy. This lecture will be of particular interest to investigative journalists, public policy researchers, information management specialists, public-sector managers.

After presentations by Miriam and Denis there will be ample time for questions and discussions with the audience.

A free afternoon tea will be served at 3.30 pm in the foyer.

From the float of the dollar to the pricing of carbon, Australia has now experienced almost three decades of major economic and social reform. Justly proud of our performance during the Global Financial Crisis, Australians can look to the future with a degree of confidence, but certainly not complacency. In a rapidly changing world, the question of ‘what’s next?’ is always relevant; and in this lecture the Hon. John Brumby will ask this question of the Labor Party, and of the nation.

As a member of the Hawke/Keating Government, and as a former Leader of the Opposition, Treasurer, and then Premier of Victoria, John Brumby is uniquely placed to analyse the current situation, and advocate a way forward. From addressing the growing infrastructure challenge in our cities and regions, as well as unfinished business in human capital and education; to creating a nation of innovators and entrepreneurs and building a better federation, he will argue that the battle of ideas that is modern democratic politics has never been more important.

The Hon John Brumby was the former Premier of Victoria (2007-2010) and has immense experience in public life serving for more than 10 years as Treasurer and then Premier of Victoria, 6 years as Leader of the Victorian Opposition and 7 years as Federal MHR for Bendigo during the period of the Hawke Government.

Since retiring from politics, Mr Brumby has accepted a number of Board positions as well as a joint appointment to both the Melbourne and Monash Universities as a Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow. He is Chairman of the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) Superannuation Fund and an Independent Director of Huawei Technologies (Australia) Pty Limited. Mr Brumby is also a Panel Member of the Federal Government’s Review into GST Distribution which is examining the distribution of GST funds to the States and Territories.

In addition, Mr Brumby is a Member of the Business and Economics (B&E) Board, Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne and an Associate of the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, also at the University of Melbourne. Mr Brumby is also the Chairman of Trustees of the Joe Welch Bursary Trust and an active member of the Fred Hollows Foundation.