Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe is in a particularly vulnerable moment as it faces a wave of populism, polarization, and growing public disengagement against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Citizens’ assemblies give people agency, strengthen quality information ecosystems, and overcome polarization by bridging divides. In doing so, they help strengthen people’s resilience to authoritarianism and populism.
A transnational Citizens’ Assembly could enable a deliberative opening far beyond national enclosures and the ‘Brussels bubble’
Claudia Chwalisz talks about deliberation, new democratic models, and commitment as a form of participation. More
What is the role of political leadership in a new democratic paradigm defined by citizen participation, representation by lot and deliberation? What is or should be the role and relationship of politicians and political parties with citizens? What does a new approach to activating citizenship (in its broad sense) through practice and education entail? These are some questions that I am grappling with, having worked on democratic innovation and citizens’ assemblies for over a decade, with my views evolving greatly over time.
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What could our democracy feel like if we represented ourselves directly instead of or in addition to electing a representative?
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