Recent eruptions of populist reaction and aggressive nationalism in Europe, the US, and beyond have unsettled economists and other social scientists on the left, right, and in the political center. Many now worry about the continued viability of democratic ideals in what they view as a moment of “unreason,” and about their role in unfolding events. Not least, both the Brexit vote and the subsequent election of President Trump can be read in part as rejections of the authority and privileges of experts who advise democratic governments in pursuit of economic wellbeing and other valued goals. For the ASE sessions at the 2017 ASSA meetings, we welcome proposals for papers/sessions on all aspects of social economics, but preference will be given to papers related to the contemporary democratic crisis, and the responsibility of the economics profession—both its culpability (if any) in the crisis, and its obligations and duties in the new political conjuncture.