Democratic Innovations

DEMOCRATIC INNOVATIONS

This podcast explores how democratic innovations are reshaping the landscape of citizen participation in response to the ongoing crisis in representative democracy. It is sponsored by the EU-funded projects INCITE-DEM and INSPIRE, as well as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The podcast is produced by Roberto Falanga at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon, together with Eleonora Tulumello (episodes 1 to 7) and João Santos Duarte (episode 8 onwards), who are responsible for live sound engineering, editing, and post-production.

Episódios

  1. Ep.08: Why Citizen-Led Democratic Innovations? - With Donatella della Porta and Andrea Felicetti

    19/03

    Ep.08: Why Citizen-Led Democratic Innovations? - With Donatella della Porta and Andrea Felicetti

    In this episode, we focus on the role that grassroots forces have in shaping democratic innovations. Together with Donatella della Porta, Professor of Political Science, founding dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, and Director of the PhD programme in Political Science and Sociology at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Florence, and Andrea Felicetti, Assistant Professor at the University of Padua, we discuss horizons for democratisation through the action of movements and civil society organisations.

    45 min
  2. Ep. 07: Why populism and polarisation? - with Petra Guasti

    31/12/2025

    Ep. 07: Why populism and polarisation? - with Petra Guasti

    In this episode, we raise critical questions about the political landscape within which democratic innovations are expected to improve our democracies. Together with Petra Guasti, Associate Professor of Democratic Theory at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague, we focus on the growth of political polarisation and populism, and on the implications of illiberal values for inclusive participation.

    33 min
  3. Ep.06: Why critical political economy? - with Adrian Bua

    01/12/2025

    Ep.06: Why critical political economy? - with Adrian Bua

    In this episode, we move toward an understanding of democratic innovations from the perspective of critical political economy. Together with Adrian Bua, researcher at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, we highlight the structural power dynamics that inevitably shape citizen engagement within the political system and society more broadly.

    46 min
  4. Ep.05: Why Intersectional Inclusion? - with Sonia Bussu

    14/11/2025

    Ep.05: Why Intersectional Inclusion? - with Sonia Bussu

    In this episode, we take a critical look at the multiple sources of oppression in contemporary society. Together with Sonia Bussu, Associate Professor in Public Policy at the University of Birmingham and scientific coordinator of the EU project INSPIRE, we explore how marginalised communities can be meaningfully included in participatory and deliberative processes.

    43 min
  5. Ep.04: Changing bureaucracy? - with Stephen Elstub and Rikki Dean

    22/01/2024

    Ep.04: Changing bureaucracy? - with Stephen Elstub and Rikki Dean

    In this episode, we focus on the role that Democratic Innovations play within democratic systems, with a particular emphasis on public administration. Together with Prof. Stephen Elstub and Dr. Rikki Dean, we reflect on trade-offs and opportunities. Bureaucracy is not the only answer, and public administration is not synonymous with bureaucracy. Public officials should be acknowledged as key actors capable of driving change, and the power they hold in their hands can indeed make things happen. But is that all? What are we missing in the constellations of networked actors that influence political decision-making today? There is no innovation in democracy without organization, and public administration is there to make innovation possible.

    56 min
  6. Ep.03: Solving crises? - with Graham Smith and Oliver Escobar

    09/12/2023

    Ep.03: Solving crises? - with Graham Smith and Oliver Escobar

    In this episode we focus on the pathways of democratic innovations through the multiple crises that challenge our democracies, starting from the crisis of democracy itself. Together with Prof. Graham Smith and Prof. Oliver Escobar, we interrogate the alleged success of climate assemblies, we discuss the success of new technologies applied to democratic systems, and their impact on citizen participation. Conflicts around the globe help focus on the contribution of democratic innovations to political change, beyond the sought policy improvement.

    1 h 2 min
  7. Ep.02: Enhancing citizen trust? - with Francesco Veri and Brigitte Geissel

    09/11/2023

    Ep.02: Enhancing citizen trust? - with Francesco Veri and Brigitte Geissel

    In this episode we question whether and how democratic innovations enhance citizen trust. Together with Professor Brigitte Geissel and Doctor Francesco Veri, we dive into trust in the political system and government. We reflect on trust among citizens within participatory and deliberative initiatives in consolidated democracies. Finally, we interrogate the emotional and cognitive underpinnings of trust.

    38 min
  8. Ep.01: Improving democracy? - with Thamy Pogrebinschi and Mark Warren

    06/11/2023

    Ep.01: Improving democracy? - with Thamy Pogrebinschi and Mark Warren

    In this first episode, we question the assumption that democratic innovations enhance democracy. Professors Mark Warren and Thamy Pogrebinschi guide us through a deep dive into the issues of democracy deficits, social polarisation, and the engineering of democratic innovations as possible context-based solutions. We also examine the evolving role of digital tools and social movements in shaping the future of democratic innovations.

    41 min
  • 8 episódios

Sobre

This podcast explores how democratic innovations are reshaping the landscape of citizen participation in response to the ongoing crisis in representative democracy. It is sponsored by the EU-funded projects INCITE-DEM and INSPIRE, as well as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The podcast is produced by Roberto Falanga at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon, together with Eleonora Tulumello (episodes 1 to 7) and João Santos Duarte (episode 8 onwards), who are responsible for live sound engineering, editing, and post-production.

Informação

  • Autoria
    DEMOCRATIC INNOVATIONS
  • Anos em atividade
    2 mil
  • Episódios
    8
  • Classificação
    Para todos
  • Copyright
    © DEMOCRATIC INNOVATIONS
  • Site do programa
    Democratic Innovations