Can Democracy Be Saved? - Public Lecture at Social Sciences Faculty












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            * Can Democracy Be Saved? - Public Lecture at Social Sciences Faculty
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            Charles University hosted a topical discussion on the effectiveness of representative demo

            27th. The central concepts were focused on the on-going crisis in which world political sy
            in retaining core values of participation and active representation.
            The social sciences faculty invited Professor Donatella Della Porta, professor of Sociolog

            Department of Political and Social Sciences of the European University Institute to addres
            at the Hollar building. The event was organised to discuss the topic in-depth from a criti
            in order to find solutions to the ‘democratic crisis’ in which the ‘neo-liberal’ systems a

            nature of the event was an initial lecture on the relevant topics such as protests and dir
            and its effect on the government process as well as offering insights into alternative met

            followed by open discussion.

            The lecture began by complimenting many aspects of democracy; the effective link between g

            people, its ‘neo-liberal’ values and its essentiality to a healthy civil society. With the
            mind , the other more problematic outcomes of democracy were also discussed. This was by e
            effects and outcomes of the recent protests against austerity measures taken by government

            One of the key issues raised was the vital requirement of increased participation amongst 
            the methods required. She emphasised that the ‘people power’ of the protests, as a direct 
            posed a strong example of how unrepresentative the democratic systems are throughout the c

            twenty-first century assumptions. This led on to the suggestion that perhaps the ‘democrat
            countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy and UK are governed by could be tweaked and im
            to represent the participants more effectively.

            By laying out several alternative methods to the current parliamentary and semi-presidenti
            relevant criticisms, solutions as to how improvements could be made were deliberated. By a
            to speak about these issues with a restraint on the government was offered as a solution t

            democratic crisis. The Italian Professor of Sociology and Political Science made clear tha
            supplementary measures, which could be taken in order to achieve greater effective represe
            majority through alternative methods.


            Following this, she assessed the challenges in which the “neo-liberal” forms of democracy 
            followed by all European Union governments. The effect of the financial crisis, she exclai

            a “greater strain” to the fluidity of this modern system of government, and explained that
            economic circumstances in which Europe is experiencing today, representation becomes harde
            – the most vital aspect to democracy. The specific alternatives offered included supplemen

            of direct democracy, greater government restraint and accountability and a lessening relia
            systems. As well as this, there were suggestions of greater participation in order to addr
            failed representation, as a more active civil society endorses a more accurate will of the

            Contemporary social movements are the answer to this issue, according to the lecture, as a
            greater touch with its government and representatives is the root of this democratic defic
            more “vibrant civil society” makes democracy more effective, and during this time of crisi

            pressure and interest groups is another source of saving democracy.

            The lecture was summarised and the key points reiterated, that the core aspects of partici

            deliberation and requirement for greater social movements are the essential aspects to ‘sa
            – something that all citizens need.                                                       
            Sam Pepper is interested in meeting and discussing culture between people from other natio
            offers simple English lessons to other European students to gain understanding of other cu
            By initially learning meeting people of other European cultures at his home University at 
                                                                                                      
            and differences in European politics, popular culture and ways of life. He has always take
            East Asia, European Union immigration and a European multinational MA programme. These opp
            Republic.