democracy

What are the most common misconceptions about liberalism? Why has the history of liberalism as an inspirational ideal been lost? How did liberalism come to mean so many different and conflicting things? And what is the historical relationship between \'liberalism\' and \'democracy\'?

What makes a civilization thrive and why do civilizations collapse? Is human nature inherently good and it is actually institutions that are simply oppressive? What did Thomas Hobbes get wrong in his reasoning? And what are \'Goliaths\'? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Luke Kemp, who researches the end of the world.

What structural strategies must the political center implement to effectively reclaim the future for liberal democracy? How can governance bodies connect abstract concepts to the everyday lived experiences of citizens? What distinct emotional promises allow the populist right wing to capture public dissatisfaction so effectively across Europe? And how does the algorithmic, endless design of modern news feeds erode public trust and dismantle our capacity for reasoned political debate?

It is safe to conclude that Fidesz’s dominance was not sustained through policy persuasion alone, but through a political environment in which potential alternatives were systematically delegitimized before they could gain sufficient traction.

What should we know ahead of the 2027 presidential election in France? What topics will likely dominate the political debate ahead of the election?  What has recently changed in terms of Marine Le Pen\'s candidacy for the president? Where does the enormous support base for the Rassemblement National come from? And what is the legacy of President Emmanuel Macron?

Today, we delude ourselves that when we stand before the High Court awaiting its final verdict, we are facing Themis — blindfolded, holding the scales and sword, the embodiment of ideal justice that disregards social status. Yet, these judges are not blind at all.

Values will not defend themselves. Rights will not defend themselves. Freedom will not defend itself. And each of these elements of the order of liberal democracy is worth taking care of every day, but it is also worth—and necessary—to fight for them.

Does the idea of an open society still have a place in today\'s world? Which four exponential forces currently run the world? And how to reconcile Europe\'s values and vision with those of other key geopolitical players? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Mark Leonard, Co-Founder and Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the first pan-European think–tank.

How has the recent election transformed the Bulgarian political scene? What will be the European priorities of the newly formed government? What is Rumen Radev\'s main message? And what was his secret that helped him ensure a win? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Maria Simeonova, the Head of the Sofia office at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

Can Europe attain digital sovereignty? What are the limits of the EU\'s regulatory power? Is the dichotomy between sovereignty and a colony unavoidable? And what is Europe\'s digital grand strategy? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Dr José Ignacio Torreblanca, a Senior Adviser and Distinguished Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.