Stories

Member Story
Shadows of the Past: How Soviet Inferiority Narratives Hinder Democracy in Moldova and Ukraine
Post-Soviet countries like Ukraine and Moldova are deeply influenced by inferiority narratives — pervasive beliefs of national inadequacy rooted in Soviet-era legacies. This article examines how these narratives shape...
IDC Theme of the Month
From Backsliding to Breakthrough: Civil Society as Democracy's Last Line of Defence
Democracy does not vanish overnight; instead, it erodes step by step. Authoritarianism grows in the cracks, but so does civic resistance. Around the world, civil society is proving that when democratic institutions weaken,...
European Union
The revised European Citizens' Initiative is finally here
After two long years of us reporting about the European Citizens’ Initiative’s (ECI) reform, we are happy to ...
United Kingdom
The spirit of 1979
Matt Qvortrup is Professor of Political Science at the University of Coventry and an expert on referendums....
Our Dome at Camp for Future, Hambacher Forst, Germany
European Union
The European Public Sphere sets out on a BeNeLux tour
Just before the European Elections, the moment has arrived: the Europe Dome is going on tour again! And it...
Ireland
Face-to-face with the Citizens of the Irish Assembly
Ireland is perhaps one of the most publicised examples of the phenomenon of citizens’ assemblies, or randomly...
United Kingdom
Listen: The Real Story - Are Referendums Ever A Good Idea?
This week, Democracy International made the case for more citizen participation on the BBC's The Real Story....
France
Between the Yellow Vests and Emanuel Macron: Any Opening for Modern Direct...
After months of angry protests by the so called yellow vests French president Emanuel Macron this week opens...
Germany
HomeParliaments Present Results With German Minister Of State Michael Roth
The first round of HomeParliaments, a pioneer project by Pulse of Europe, Democracy International and Dr....
Belgium
Belgians push towards more people power on local level
On 14 October, Belgians went to the polls for the municipal elections, which always take place in the entire...
Global
Stories from around the globe
So many people around the world are working daily to make their communities more democratic and to give...
United Kingdom
Let the British people decide the outcome of Brexit
Two years and 144 days after the historic vote, London and Brussels have finally agreed draft terms for their...