Democracy under attack

This webinar addresses the current challenges facing democracy and why its protection is more urgent than ever. It highlights eight key threats: the global decline of democratic governance, recent coups d’état, the contestation of election results in long-standing democracies, attacks on the concept of democracy itself, the rise of illiberal democracy, weakening ties between democracy and social welfare, risks posed by information technologies, and the difficulty of responding effectively to global crises. The session will also explore paths to defend democracy, emphasizing empowerment, active participation, local community engagement, and international cooperation as essential strategies to uphold freedom, equality, and shared responsibility in today’s complex world.

Prof. Michele Nicoletti, University of Trento

Is Euroscepticism really “bad” for the European democracy/ies?

This contribution will overview the development of the phenomenon of Euroscepticism in a cross-country perspective. Opposition to the EU has become a widespread phenomenon both among political parties and the public at large. If it is true that some forms of criticism to the EU aim at destroying the integration project, are all forms of opposition the same? Can they represent a positive sign of the evolution of a democratic debate around Europe?

Dr Benedetta Carlotti, University of Bozen-Bolzano

Democracy Across Borders

Democratic institutions and processes are – at least in parts – conflicting with national borders and conceptions of membership that exclude many from political participation. In my paper I will  explore why it is important to re-think democracy across borders.

Prof. Andreas Oberprantacher