Topic: Do We Trust Democracy?

A few centuries ago, a caravel – a small, manoeuvrable sailing ship – was a game-changer. Crews would embark on explorations of the unknown, compelled to make new discoveries.

For the past six months, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been striking in front of the house of representatives in Sweden. She is requesting political leaders to respect their international commitments to reduce CO2 emissions...

We stand before one of the most difficult predicaments of post-Cold War politics in Europe. Four elements are working in tandem to increase the sense of alienation of Europeans from their polity, while also boosting fringe parties in many European Union (EU) member states...

There are no shortcuts in the fight to increase citizens’ trust in institutions and their willingness to participate. It is everyday work that requires tireless energy and vigilance...

The context within which governments operate is changing: hierarchies are turning into networks; consultations are taking the form of co-creation and citizen...

When reading about Sweden being the most democratic country in the European Union (EU)2 you would be forgiven for thinking that there aren’t too many challenges to democracy here. Look beyond the rankings, however, and you will find room for improvement.

Democracy is the best system of decision-making that exists in society. It has its faults, and we have to look at it critically.

The internet has opened up new ways of thinking and empowering civil society to monitor governments, uncover corruption, overthrow dictators, and even strengthen democracy.

Europe is our joint special project based on liberal values, human rights, and fundamental freedoms...

The brutality of Jan Kuciak´s and Martina Kusnirova´s murders affected large masses of people in Slovakia and abroad because they linked everyday innocent life with the power of the state.

In a rather ironic fashion, and without etymological commonalities, the term algo-democracy may simultaneously refer to two things: a democracy that is heavily mediated by algorithms or an ailing democracy. ‘Algo’ can either stand for algorithm or pain.* More often than not, it stands for both.

In the run-up to the crucial May 2019 elections for the European Parliament, what we have ‘always’ taken for granted – liberal democracy, respect for universal human rights, and the rule of law – no longer remains uncontested...