If a lesson may be learned from the big live laboratory of democracy that is Italy, it might be the awareness that democracy requires failsafe mechanisms of early-warning to protect the enlightenment of its members.
People across Europe are critiquing the morality of the political and economic system. Globalisation has helped to engineer an empty democracy, with political-economic processes depoliticised and decisions made by experts. And what of the European dream? “Whoever can understand it, that is ‘the mo
Occupy is part of a wide range of subterranean movements that explore ways to complement representative democracy and empower citizenship. Some citizens want to build stronger democratic institutions: others don’t trust elected representatives any more and promote a change that starts at a local l
Since the sovereignty debt crisis ‘Europe’ more often means the Eurozone of 17 nations rather than the European Union of 27 states. Now, this new ‘Europe’ is to receive political representation.
European federalism is back, says European Commission president Barroso. His call for a "federation of nation states" shows how the tables have turned in the debate about the Union – with former anti-federalists now praising integration and vice versa. But buyer beware - creating an EU federation
The combination of economic troubles and Eurosceptic pressures will increase the international impact of the Netherlands' latest election, says Cas Mudde.
The heart of the European crisis is not economics or politics, but trust. A focus on restoring trust and confidence is the key to Europe's future, says Andre Wilkens.
Beyond its political and economical ramifications, the euro crisis has had a profound impact on European society. From a distributional conflict perspective, these turbulent times redefine who gets into conflict with whom.
While Mario Monti's government is trying to keep Italy in the Eurozone, Italians show a new interest in political outsiders. The most popular of them, Beppe Grillo, is a 64 years old comedian and activist who wants to shake things up in the Repubblica
