In this episode, Robert Habeck and Margrethe Vestager discuss if it is possible for the European Union to keep pace in the digital race with the United States and China.

By examining historical relationships between the European Union and its member states, the two guests diagnose how likely it is for the European Union to come out on top and how democratic institutions can stay intact.

From private companies such as Facebook and Google, which create highly influential digital spheres, to leading states like China, the USA or the European Union, there are competing and contrasting visions and values for the digital age.

And a lot is at stake, including data privacy, local and national economies, as well as democracy as we know it. Our two guests discuss how underlying these tensions is the attempt to balance democratic principles with efficiency and pluralism.

This episode is the third part of our Progressive Governance podcast series. We recorded this conversation as part of the Progressive Governance Digital Summit which took place from June 9th to 11th 2021.

Post-production and additional recordings done by Annika Hoffmann and Das Progressive Zentrum. This session was designed in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung.