Das Progressive Zentrum

Artists and cultural workers are among the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. While some countries have offered support, others have let their artists down. Especially independent creators without connections to well-established cultural institutions are struggling. In this Interview, Dr Michael Wimmer, a renowned political scientist, offers an overview of this sector’s current situation and future challenges. An industry that he predicts will permanently change due to the pandemic’s wave of digitisation.

As part of year-round activities complementing the annual Progressive Governance Summit, Das Progressive Zentrum and its London-based partner organisation Policy Network invited two Dutch experts to discuss take-aways from Europe’s first key parliamentary election this year.

At the beginning of 2021, the world waited in anticipation for Joe Biden to be inaugurated the 46th President of the United States and the first woman Vice-President, Kamala Harris. 100 days later, what is the state of democracy in the United States and the transatlantic partnership?

During the 2020 United States Election, countless actors played pivotal roles in securing Democratic victories. What role did social movements play during this historic year for US politics and how did political campaigns successfully mobilize during a pandemic? The articles below provide an inside look at moments and campaigns that will shape the US political landscape for years to come.

What kind of policies are needed to support the European arts and culture scene? How can new digital spaces empower cultural actors across Europe? To answer these questions, Das Progressive Zentrum and the Goethe-Institut organised the “Europe takes part!” digital summit on 29 April 2021.

In the aftermath of the Dutch general election on 17 March 2021, join Das Progressive Zentrum and Policy Network to discuss the outcome and lessons learned for Europe’s progressives in times of COVID-19. What are the key takeaways for progressive actors from across the continent?

Our new podcast Talking Progress dives headfirst into everything progressive. In its first series, we analyse what needs to be achieved to create a European Public Sphere. We have invited two guests to evaluate which role transnational activism can play in this and how the European Union should encourage and support civil society cooperation across European borders.

Our new podcast Talking Progress dives headfirst into everything progressive. In its first series, we analyse what needs to be achieved to create a European Public Sphere. For this first episode, we have invited two journalists to reflect on cross-border journalism and media cooperation. Can these approaches boost the European Public Sphere?

A new cooperation platform for civil society will launch its exploration phase on 1 March 2021. The “European Hub for Civic Engagement” will strengthen democracy in Europe by providing a digital infrastructure for activists and operatives of civil society organisations (CSOs). Since 2019, the “Hub” has been developed in an extensive consultation process involving hundreds of civil society actors from across Europe.

This Discussion Paper takes a closer look at the current challenges of the European foreign policy vis-à-vis Russia and sketches a vision for a new generation of Ostpolitik, aiming at organizing European unity as well as strengthening the EU’s strategic alliances in Eastern Europe and across the Atlantic.

Joe Biden is the 46th President of the United States. From the minute he is sworn in, his administration will begin working on reversing many of his predecessor’s legacies on climate change, immigration, and domestic policy. Underlying these efforts will be the challenge of unifying a country in an era of rampant disinformation. To guide the country through this fact-rejecting fog and towards social and economic justice, the new administration must deliver visible relief and recovery.

Tomorrow’s policies must be both visionary and efficient to meet the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath. Our board members Michael Miebach and Judith Siller and our executive director Dominic Schwickert explain why progressive ideas belong on the agenda right now and take an optimistic look at 2021.

Over 100 participants discussed and debated future visions for Europe during the Daring New Spaces Summit on the European public sphere on 10 December. In keynotes and debates, and listening to pitches and poetry, the participants envisioned what Europe and its public sphere could and should look like in 2025. The event culminated with two project fellows interviewing Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth (DE) and Tiago Antunes (PT), Secretary of State Assistant to the Prime-Minister.

How can a value-based approach to technological change promote economic, social, and ecological progress? How can the public and the private sector harness new technologies to boost innovation and provide social benefits to society at large? At the #Tech4Society Policy Paper Launch on 16 December 2020, we discussed these and other questions with Julia Borggräfe, Joanna Bryson, Thomas Ramge and Rasmus Rothe.

November 3rd was a historic election day in the United States, which melted into a week of waiting and commentary. What political victories did the Democrats score and what is the future for them as a party? Diego Rivas unpacks the election week with a review of the stories that defined this historic vote.

Although the Democrats did win the presidency, the majority in the Senate will be determined only next January. At stake is the ability to pass laws and enact the political reform that Joe Biden campaigned on. Four perpetual political themes will determine if the Democrats are successful in January and beyond.

On November 3, both presidential as well as General Election took place in the United States. How can their outcomes affect the global role of cities? Join us for a conversation about a new era of multilateralism from the bottom-up with Almut Möller, State Secretary of Hamburg and Stephen K. Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, SC.

Joe Biden is now the President-elect. Although they won the Presidency and the House, the majority in the Senate will be decided by two run-offs in Georgia this upcoming January. Diego Rivas analyses the US Elections and opportunities for progressive change.

One of the main challenges in strengthening the European public sphere is the creation of a genuine European discourse community. National discourses have been following a slow trend of Europeanisation, but platforms, media, and spaces for genuine European discourse remain limited.

One week before the election in the United States, nothing is being taken for granted. A meaningful and enduring victory will require wins in the House and Senate. Only such a sweeping victory can provide the foundation to build back better. Underlying this endeavor is a festering debate on the vision of the country. Progressive visions for a post-crisis world must be bold and clear enough to act as a unifying force, once Trumpism is electorally defeated.