What does the future hold for social democratic parties and the centre-left? Political scientists Tim Bale and André Krouwel discuss how overarching narratives and a sharpened ideological compass can help progressive big-tent parties regain much-needed trust. Tune in as these experts debate and recommend paths forward for centre-left parties across Europe.

German elections are approaching fast. What are the chances of right-wing populists and what do progressives need to do now? Listen to our new episode to find out!

As the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the world, it has put the nation-state at the centre of people’s daily lives. National lockdowns, vaccine rollout strategies, and the shutdown of international travel have introduced the national framework as a dominating force. Catherine de Vries and Cas Mudde discuss what this all means for right-wing populists and how progressives must respond.

The American Rescue Plan is pumping 1.9 trillion dollars into citizens’ pockets, the economy, and measures against the Covid-19 pandemic. What has this meant for cities and urban spaces? Two former mayors discuss how cities can use this funding to build back better.

Shared values like the rule of law and respect for freedom, democracy, and equality have to be the foundation of a strong European Public Sphere. In this episode, Susanne Zels makes a case for the role civic education should play in strengthening European democracy and deepening the values shared by Europeans. Together with Jana Puglierin, we try to answer how the pandemic has affected European solidarity and the European’s connection with their value system.

Human rights violations within the European Union and at its borders are not solely national matters, but concern all of us Europeans. How can transnational activism and civil society cooperation increase this solidarity? We also discuss how European institutions such as the parliament can support activism across the EU.

A strong and thriving democracy requires lively and ongoing debate amongst well-informed citizens. Cross-border journalism can play an important role in fostering a lively exchange amongst Europeans across the borders of the EU member states. In this episode, we discuss how we embrace the diversity of European narratives and discourse while simultaneously creating an integrated European media sphere.