Freedom of Scientific Inquiry and Democracy. A Systems‐Theoretical Approach

ABSTRACT The article examines the relationship between democracy and one of its inherent features: freedom of scientific inquiry —a multi‐layered concept closely intertwined with the broader notion of academic freedom—both of which are increasingly under threat worldwide. The paper advocates for the use of Luhmann's theoretical framework to analyse this relationship, particularly by interpreting the right to freedom of research as a fundamental right in Luhmannian terms and by employing various elements of his theory of functional differentiation. This approach enables a systemic analysis of inter‐systemic tensions, especially perceived intrusions of politics, the economy, and other functional subsystems into science. At different levels of social structure, restrictions on the freedom of research manifest in distinct ways: (1) at the level of communication systems, as hegemonic aspirations by other function systems towards science, where constraints appear in the form of irritation; (2) at the organisational level, as corruption—imposing non‐scientific tasks and codes on predominantly scientific organisations; and (3) at the level of interaction systems, as violations—hindering the individual rights of researchers across five discussed dimensions. Infringements on the freedom of inquiry at all three levels undermine democracy and signal a de‐modernisation. Applying Luhmann's theoretical framework also represents a standpoint for defending freedom of scientific inquiry and autonomy of science not only for the sake of science itself but also for other subsystems within a modern, functionally differentiated society.