What should the democracy of the future look like? Which institutional changes are required to cope with the challenges of a globalised and digital world? And how can we include people more effectively in political decision-making processes? The Democracy Lab brought together stakeholders from civil society, academia and politics in order to find answers to these questions. In our final report, we present our ideas, projects and results of the first project phase.

While the European Parliament elections near, politics in Poland is at such a crux that the later parliamentary polls there will have wide reverberations.

Policy fellow Katarzyna Anna Klimowicz evaluates a new phenomenon on the political scene in Europe: network parties. This paper identifies common features of network parties by looking at best practices and characteristics, especially in the organisational structure and political programmes.

In this Policy Paper, Daniel Schade discusses a relatively new format to foster parliamentary cooperation in the EU: interparliamentary conferences (ICPs). He suggests multiple venues for reforming the present IPCs to facilitate the fulfillment of their objectives.

Why are more and more Europeans supporting populists? The significant gains made by these parties in Germany, Italy and Sweden underline the urgency of understanding the causes and appeal of populism. To uncover those, the study “Return to the politically abandoned: Conversations in right-wing populist strongholds in Germany and France” has applied a groundbreaking approach.

The study’s design and results have led to an overwhelmingly positive reception in Germany and created great interest in other countries. To take the debate to the European level, the study has now been translated into English and French

INNOCRACY- Conference on Democratic Innovation took place at betahaus Berlin on 28 November 2018. The ideas formed to transform democratic systems – either by incrementally improving them or radically changing paradigms – are presented in this Anthology.

Shining a light on the very different experiences of work in the digital age, this book provides a unique contribution to the reform discussion on the consequences of the fourth industrial revolution. Drawing on a wide range of international expertise, the contributors to this volume examine important policy challenges arising from the transformation of work as a result of the introduction of digital technology at work.

How can progressive public policy shape work in the digital age? In the comprehensive volume “Work in the Digital Age”, Das Progressive Zentrum’s Policy Fellows Max Neufeind and Florian Ranft as well as co-editor Jacqueline O’Reilly (University of Sussex) identify potential risks and develop an agenda to make work fit for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Their book brings together the analyses of more than 50 policy experts from across the globe.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is challenging the future of work. Technological change and automation risk making jobs redundant. But the naysayers are wrong. Automation doesn’t mean the end of work – we just need to get ready for the changes on the horizon.

In this discussion paper, Hanno Burmester explores the current crisis of our political system and challenges established perspectives on democracy. He argues that what it takes to both solve the crises and revitalise democracy is the re-definition of a 21st-century democratic purpose and a radical, transformative approach to politics.

The platform economy reinforces current labour market trends, enhancing inequalities and opening the door to discrimination. It lacks sustainability and poses a threat to the environment. But it does not mean the ‘end of employment’ – if companies and regulators take action.

How can progressive politics create innovative public policy able to engage with the challenges of work in the digital age? Das Progressive Zentrum’s Policy Fellows Max Neufeind and Florian Ranft as well as Jacqueline O’Reilly are the editors of the book “Work in the Digital Age” and urge us to update, recharge and reload the concept of work in society to make it fit for the fourth industrial revolution.

Spain has been facing many challenges similar to those of other EU countries. In contrast to the rest of the continent, however, Eurosceptic parties failed to attract popular support. Héctor Sánchez Margalef explains the reasons for this exception and why it may not last forever.

The mainstream media have framed Italy’s general election as a victory of the anti-establishment populists. However, there seems to be something even worse than pure populism: fraud.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on sustainable growth in Europe.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on social cohesion in Europe.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on migration and integration in Europe.

Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy recommendations on populism in Europe.