Traditional political parties (social democrats, liberals, conservatives) seem to be losing their structural grip on government in many European countries. Populist parties are increasingly popular amongst voters. They address the legitimacy problem with democracies within Europe. A substantial part of citizens don’t feel represented by elected officials. Technocrats can steer national or supranational entities out of crises, but their lack of legitimacy in the long run trumps their efficiency in the short run.
The media landscape has become much more commercial which fuels polls, elections, short-term gains and spectacle instead of long-term navigation. Social media have given individuals a means to immediate feedback and the power to organize critique and protest within a second.
How can democracy find balance again between legitimacy and efficiency in this new societal configuration?
Frank Furedi (sociologist, commentator and author) joins the discussion as well as Maurits Kreijveld (futurologist), Evelien Tonkens (sociologist) and Diederik Boomsma (environmental scientist & ecologist, councillor CDA Amsterdam). Angus Kennedy will be moderating the debate in English.