News
Second #EuropeanTownHall Meeting in Warsaw: Thoughts on the Future of Democracy
Conclusions by Laura Krause, Maciej Gdula, Paul Mason and Manuel Sarrazin
Where does the demand for populist platforms come from? How to respond to the crisis of democracy? Laura-Kristine Krause, Maciej Gdula, Paul Mason and Manuel Sarrazin present their views on the present state of and the future of democracy in Europe.
The people’s verdict – adding informed citizen voices to public decision-making by Claudia Chwalisz
Reviewed by Sophie Pornschlegel
With case studies from Australia and Canada and a short comparative analysis of deliberative formats in the UK, this short book tries to convince skeptical decision-makers that, given the right framework, people can be good, legitimate and efficient decision-makers.
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Greek islands going green
Greek islands going renewable and intelligent: a driver for the energy transition in the EU?
Greek non-interconnected islands are small isolated systems bearing the great potential to become autonomous in terms of energy, using renewable and intelligent systems. Is there a potential for small islands to drive Europe’s transition into a sustainable, low-carbon and inclusive economy? What role can Greek islands play in this process?
Local Energy Communities and priority corridors of north-south energy connections
An integrated approach to the promotion of a renewable energy market in Europe
The development of Local Energy Communities is a vision which aims to address the pressing future global issues of energy efficiency, healthy food sources and water management. The fact that a very large percentage of EU regional development funds remain unused represents an opportunity for the Member States to review the European energy market strategy and develop a policy program aimed at funding these projects.
Populism is not the problem
Why we should focus on values in political debate instead of style
Populism is everywhere these days. Not only as a phenomenon but also as a topic in political discourse. Yet, the closer you look at it, the more you will realize that populism is quite a messy term. It signifies everything from an unease towards dissent, to the fear of a weakened democracy. More importantly, once you get a grip on how you define the term you will realize that populism may be destructive and inflammatory but is not the real problem. It is mostly a symptom for fundamental conflicts in society.
Tackling the exclusion of minorities in Europe
Mentoring: towards a culture of inclusion in Europe
In Europe we know that Portugal, France and Italy are the most unequal countries according to OECD household incomes. In addition to income inequality, inequality of opportunities may result from different types of discrimination, including discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or religion. Widespread inequalities lead to the exclusion of minorities. Despite the fact that ethnic, cultural and religious diversity is a central feature and value of the European Union minority exclusion still persists in the EU.
Does Tony Blair have an answer to Shakespeare’s Hotspur?
Professor Richard Rose analyses the result of the Brexit referendum
Tony Blair’s call to spirits to rise up from the deep to throw off Brexit was worthy of Owen Glendower’s faith in his magical powers. So too is the reply that Shakespeare gave Hotspur: ‘Why so can I or so can any man. But will they come when you do call for them?’ Blair’s cosmopolitan audience showed there are people in the City of London welcoming his call to remain in the European Union. But his talk gave no hint of how troops raised in the Square Mile could successfully capture Parliament. (more…)
Smart thinking is needed to control immigration
Might it be possible for the government to copy Switzerland and focus on internal controls?
Internal controls are a smarter modern way of controlling immigration and should be examined carefully before a unilateral Home Office decision – almost certainly unworkable – turns Article 50 into a train crash.
Security Pivot Towards a Police State in France
Populisms' Slippery Slope
The first European Thinking Lab took place from 25-27 November in Lisbon. During the Summit, the contributors cooperated within their Thinking Lab and worked out brief policy proposals. Félix Blanc is engaged with the topic of a Security Pivot towards a Police State in France.
Strengthening Vocational Education and Training
Improving Attractiveness and Social Recognition by Fostering "Success Factors"
The first European Thinking Lab took place from 25-27 November in Lisbon. During the Summit, the contributors cooperated within their Thinking Lab and worked out brief policy proposals. Inês Gregório is engaged with the topic of Strengthening Vocational Education and Training.
Labour Market Duality in Southern Europe
The need for greater fairness and intergenerational solidarity at the workplace
The first European Thinking Lab took place from 25-27 November in Lisbon. During the Summit, the contributors cooperated within their Thinking Lab and worked out brief policy proposals. Arnolds Eizenšmits is engaged with the topics of Labour Market Duality in Southern Europe: significant differences in Employment Protection Legislation between ‘insiders‘ and ‘outsiders‘ condemn youngsters in Southern Europe to precarious jobs.
Populism in Eastern Europe
An analysis of Elena Marcela Coman
Thwarting the Political Cleavages of Western Europe – What We Can Learn from Populists. Elena Marcela Coman outlines the historic trajectory and specific traits of populist movements in Eastern Europe.
On the Making of Trump – The Blind Spot That Created Him
Otto Scharmer analyses the factors underlying Trump's victory
According to Scharmer, three main divides within the United States contributed to the success of Donald Trump, which took many by surprise.
We Need Good Answers Now
Hanno Burmester on the election of Donald Trump
The helplessness of the left allows the triumph of the right. Five hypotheses on the election of Donald Trump
Supporting Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation
Boosting Founder Confidence and Encouraging Investments
The first European Thinking Lab took place from 25-27 November in Lisbon. During the Summit, the contributors cooperated within their Thinking Lab and worked out brief policy proposals. Andrea Montanari is engaged with the topics of Investment Incentives and Social Innovation.
CEAR: Towards a Dignified Life
Report on Discrimination and Persecution on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Within this report, CEAR (The Spanish Commission for Refugees) examines the situation of LGBT refugees both within Spain as their host-country and within their countries of origin. The analysis depicts the hardships of refugees that have to experience intersectional discrimination, stemming both from discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and discrimination due to their gender identity and sexual orientation.
What We Can Learn from Populists – A Populist Backlash in the Philippines
Duterte: The Success of the "Celebrity Maverick"
How come the “celebrity maverick” has proven so successful with his unconventional, violent and vile approach? Why does Duterte’s populism attract so many voters and enabled him to become President?
After Trump’s Success: A Convergence of the Populist Challenge
The unexpected happened and we are still searching for an answer why it happened and what might be the adequate response. This essay attempts to look for the reasons of the current success of populists on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and to face the challenge that is produced by this convergence.
Promoting Intergenerational Equity
Intergenerational Transfers as a Means to Tackle Social Inequality
Seven years after the global economic crisis, social inequality is rising in the vast majority of the EU member states. However, an orchestrated policy mix at the national level combined with anti-austerity interventions at the EU level could reverse these developments.
My Populism is Bigger than Yours
The Trajectory of Populist Movements in Europe, Reasons for Their Success and Reactions of Established Parties
Mainstream parties seem to believe that refusing ideological attachments and claiming that the populists are “the others” will be enough for the citizens to recognize them as the ones offering providential solutions. The problem is that, while the gap between representatives and represented is not narrowed, between a soft populism and the real thing, dangerous “others” might take the place with rather scary alternatives.