Democracy

Various referendums to ratify European policies or institutions have been held over the last 15 years across the European Union. Their questions have differed and their answers have at times sharply divided national public opinion. The extent to which their results have been respected raises important questions regarding the legitimacy of European and national democratic practices.

With the autonomy of the media facing new threats, censorship is a thing of the past.

A round-up of the fake news debate across European countries.

Voters in the Visegrad countries rely on increasingly blurred lines between truth and falsehoods while making their choice at polling stations.

With civil society organisations increasingly questioned by those in power, NGOs need political representation and popular support.

Fake news is thriving in the new media environment – presenting a threat to our democratic societies which we underestimate at our peril.

Algorithms – hard to understand but hugely influential in our political and social lives. How do they exert such power, and what are the stakes?

Could reforms on the horizon in Greece mean the end of environmental protection?

Rethinking how we ask voters what they want could ensure representative government for all and help us create a collaborative political culture.

What can be done to reconcile technological progress and civic democracy?