Is there a crisis of democracy in Europe?
Symposium at the University of Bergen following the Stein Rokkan Memorial Lecture of Hanspeter Kriesi.
Hovedinnhold
The rise in right-wing populist parties; overall declining levels of political participation; expected diminishing trust in political institutions; increased delegation of decision-making to non-public or to international organizations; major policy challenges, such as climate change and immigration, and increasing economic inequality: Democracies in Europe are facing tough times and some scholars argue that it is in crisis. Others have argued that, while current times provide challenges, democracy is doing alright and is in fact able to deal with such problems. During this symposium, we will discuss a range of possible threats. We will seek to assess whether democracy can absorb these shocks, whether these shocks were instead mere ripples, or whether democracy is facing indeed a crisis that may cause it to deteriorate.
Programme
9:00 Arrival and welcome
9:20-10:30 Part I: Is there a crisis of democracy in Europe?
Chair: Elisabeth Ivarsflaten
- Hanspeter Kriesi
Is there a crisis of democracy in Europe?
- Carolien van Ham
Myth and Reality of the Legitimacy Crisis
Discussion
10:45-12:00 Part II: Challenges in liberal democracies
Chair: Yvette Peters
- Elisabeth Ivarsflaten
The Inclusion of Muslim Minorities
- Endre Tvinnereim
Carbon Transition
Discussion
13:00-14:15 Part III: Failing representation?
Chair: Jonas Linde
- Yvette Peters
Democratic Representation and political inequality
- Peter Esaiasson
19 lessons from immigrants in two Swedish suburbs
Discussion
14:30-16:00 Part IV: Fixing democracy?
Chair: Georg Picot
- Joost van Spanje
Should Courts Reign in Extremists?
- Sveinung Arnesen
Can procedural reforms improve democracy?
- Jonas Linde
Nativist attitudes and notions democracy
16:15-17:00 Concluding Roundtable Discussion
Chair: Elisabeth Ivarsflaten