Round table on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities

Round table on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities

Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik – April 3-5, 2018

Democracy is under siege. Traditional bastions of liberal democracy are faltering. Young democracies are reverting to their authoritarian pasts.  Populism, corporatization of the media, fake news, retreat from globalism, oligarchy, corruption and other perils are undermining fairness, effectiveness and truthfulness. Just when it appeared that the world was converging on a universal set of values and standards for governance at the national and international level, fundamental questions are being raised regarding the viability and sustainability of democratic institutions. Recent events raise fundamental questions regarding the institutions of governance and also about the underlying social, psychological, cultural and evolutionary processes that determine how these institutions function.

Is democracy in its current form really the most viable and effective system of governance? Are human beings sufficiently rational and selfless to govern themselves justly and effectively? Is the future of democracy at the national level compatible with the persistence of non-democratic institutions at the international level? By what process has the distribution of social power shifted from army, monarchy, aristocracy to democracy and how is that process likely to evolve further in future? To what extent are the institutional problems confronting democracy today reflections of underlying social, psychological and cultural factors and processes? What proven and potential safeguards and remedies are available to address the failures and insufficiencies of contemporary democracies? Is democracy the best possible system or merely a stage in the evolution of governance toward something more stable, an effective and equitable system? These are a few of the questions explored during this three-day meeting.

Following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, it appeared that democracy had finally established itself as the unquestioned victor in the governance contest, both in terms of acceptability and efficacy. Recent developments are challenging both these claims. The phenomenal developmental achievements of state capitalism coupled with authoritarian rule in China, the unashamed retreat from democracy in Turkey, the backlash against social democratic principles in Eastern Europe, the resurgence of populism, the rising power of corruption and legally-sanctioned oligarchy and plutocracy in the republics of the former Soviet Union, state capture in South Africa, the tension between national and regional interests and priorities in the European Union, and the dramatic deterioration of democratic practices in USA are posing heightened challenges to the acceptance, effectiveness and resilience of democracy.

This three day roundtable explored the evolutionary origins of democratic forms of government; their strengths and weaknesses in promoting stable inclusive societies, human welfare and well-being; the continued struggle over the distribution of power, rights and benefits in modern societies; the challenges posed by globalization, immigration, technological advances, money power, social media and resurgent nationalism; available policies and proven mechanisms to enhance their effectiveness and reinforce underlying democratic principles; and evolutionary alternatives that might gradually supplant the forms of democracy prevalent today.

The meeting consisted of facilitated discussions centering on 10 major groups of issues plus an introductory session and a final discussion to frame conclusions and next steps. The format was highly interactive: short presentations combined with open discussion. Each session was introduced by a moderator making brief opening remarks and posing fundamental questions to be explored during the session.

Round table on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities

Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik – April 3-5, 2018

Schedule of Lectures

April 3, 2018
No. TOPIC MODERATORS/PANELISTS TIMING
1  Introduction  G. Jacobs 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
2  Achievements of Democracy  J. Caraça
E. Çepni		 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
3  Challenges Confronting Democracy Today  K. Shengelia
F. El Guindi		 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
4  Foundations of Democracy  E. Constantinescu
A. N. Yurdusev		 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
5  Known Failings of Democracy  R. Fiorini
N. Nešković		 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
April 4, 2018
6  Evolution of Democracy, Human Rights & Rule of Law  G. Jacobs
W. Nagan		 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
7  Democracy and Social Power  E. Hoedl
A. Zucconi		 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
8  Il-liberal Democracy  T. Reuter
G. Leśniak-Łebkowska		 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
9  Small Discussion Groups 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
10  Reports from the Discussion Groups 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
April 5, 2018
11  Globalization, Nationalism & Democracy  A. Likhotal
D. Simeunovic
J. Bindé		 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
12  Technology, Media and Social Media  M. Djurovic
Z. Lagumdžija		 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
13  Known Remedies for Problems of Democracy  T. A. Aziz
Z. Bochniarz		 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
14  Envisioning a Better System  J. Bunzl
M. Mulvey		 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
15  Small Discussion Groups 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
16  Conclusions & Recommendations  G. Jacobs
W. Nagan
A. Zucconi		 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Round table on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities

Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik – April 3-5, 2018

List of Participants

  1. Goran Bandov – Vice Dean, Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy, Zagreb
  2. Jérôme Bindé – French writer, Futurist; Director of Foresight, Philosophy and Humanities, UNESCO; Fellow, WAAS
  3. Zbigniew Bochniarz – Professor, University of Washington and Harvard Business School; Member, WAAS Board of Trustees
  4. John Bunzl – Businessman, Writer, Founder, Simultaneous Policy (Simpol) campaign
  5. João Caraça – Senior Advisor, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Fellow, WAAS
  6. Elif Çepni – Head, Nisantasi International, Nisantasi University, Turkey; Partner, Foresight Consult; Associate Fellow, WAAS
  7. Emil Constantinescu – President, The Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Civilization and Civilization; Member, WAAS Board of Trustees
  8. Momir Djurovic – Former President, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences & Arts; Member, WAAS Board of Trustees
  9. Fadwa El Guindi – Senior Scientist, El Nil Research; Retiree Professor of Anthropology, University of California; Fellow, WAAS
  10. Rodolfo Fiorini – Academic Scientist, Politecnico di Milano, Italy; Fellow, WAAS
  11. Ivo Grga – Secretary General, Global Round Table, Croatia
  12. Erich Hoedl – Vice-President, European Academy of Sciences; Fellow, WAAS
  13. Senthil Inbarajan – Software Professional, USA
  14. Garry Jacobs – CEO, WAAS and WUC; Vice President, The Mother’s Service Society
  15. Adam Koniuszewski – Fellow of the Quebec Order of Chartered Professional Accountants; Fellow at the Geneva Center for Security Policy; Associate Fellow, WAAS
  16. Zlatko Lagumdžija – Former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Hercegovina; Professor of Competitiveness and Information Technology, University of Sarajevo; Fellow, WAAS
  17. Ivana Lazarovski – Student, MA in International Security Studies, University of Belgrade; Junior Fellow, WAAS
  18. Grażyna Leśniak-Łebkowska – Professor, Warsaw School of Economics, Poland; Associate Fellow, WAAS
  19. Alexander Likhotal – Professor, Geneva School Of Diplomacy; Former President of Green Cross International; Member, WAAS Board of Trustees
  20. Andrii Miroshnychenko – Teaching Assistant, University of Bergen, Norway; Junior Fellow, WAAS
  21. Michael Mulvey – Outreach Coordinator, The Independent Constitutionalists UK movement and political process (ICUK)
  22. Winston P. Nagan – Chairman, WAAS Board of Trustees; Professor of Law, University of Florida, USA
  23. Nebojša Nešković – Secretary-General, WAAS; Former Head of TESLA Project, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia
  24. Natalia Pogozheva – CEO of Green Education Ukraine Foundation; Member of Board, Regional development Association; Former Head of the Board, DUCATT
  25. Thomas Reuter – Professor, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne; Fellow, WAAS
  26. Rita Reuter – Independent Designer, Germany
  27. Naren Senthil – Student, PSBB Millennium School, India
  28. Kakha Shengelia – President, International Association of University Presidents (IAUP); President at Caucasus University, Georgia
  29. Dragan Simeunović – Professor, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  30. Marco Vitiello – Student, Roma Tre University, Italy
  31. Kathlena Walther – Special Advisor to Chairman, Econet Foundation; Fellow, WAAS
  32. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev – Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Turkey; Fellow, WAAS
  33. Alberto Zucconi – President of the Person Centered Approach Institute (IACP), Italy; Secretary General of the World University Consortium

 Course Directors: Goran Bandov, Garry Jacobs, Winston Nagan and Alberto Zucconi

Round table on the Future of Democracy: Challenges & Opportunities

Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik – April 3-5, 2018

Background Papers and Reports by Participants

Click here to download Background Papers

  1. Issues for Discussion on Future of Democracy by Lloyd Etheredge
  2. Rule of Law Background to Democracy by Winston P. Nagan
  3. Achievements of Democracy by João Caraça
  4. Achievements of Democracy by Elif Çepni
  5. Poland: From Transformation Leader to Troublemaker by Zbigniew Bochniarz
  6. Notes on Democracy by Gerald Gutenschwager
  7. Money in Politics by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
  8. Declaration of Purpose of the Independent Constitutionalists UK (ICUK) by Michael Mulvey
  9. A Constitutionalist Guide to Morality: Language as Democracy by Michael Mulvey
  10. Agnosticism and the Uses of Religion by Michael Mulvey

Report by Participants

Introduction
Introduction
Garry Jacobs
Introduction
Winston P. Nagan

Discussion on Future of Democracy

Achievements of Democracy
Achievements of Democracy
Elif Çepni
Achievements of Democracy
João Caraça

Discussion on Achievements of Democracy

Challenges Confronting Democracy Today
Challenges Confronting Democracy Today
Kakha Shengelia
Challenges Confronting Democracy Today
Fadwa El Guindi

Discussion on Challenges Confronting Democracy Today

Foundations of Democracy
Foundations of Democracy
Emil Constantinescu
Foundations of Democracy
Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev

Discussion on Foundations of Democracy

Known Failings of Democracy
Known Failings of Democracy
Rodolfo Fiorini
Known Failings of Democracy
Nebojša Nešković

Discussion on Known Failings of Democracy

Evolution of Democracy, Human Rights & Rule of Law
Evolution of Democracy, Human Rights & Rule of Law
Garry Jacobs
Evolution of Democracy, Human Rights & Rule of Law
Winston P. Nagan

Discussion on Evolution of Democracy, Human Rights & Rule of Law

Democracy and Social Power
Democracy and Social Power
Eric Hoedl
Democracy and Social Power
Alberto Zucconi

Discussion on Democracy and Social Power

Illiberal Democracy
Illiberal Democracy
Thomas Reuter
Illiberal Democracy
Grażyna Leśniak-Łebkowska

Discussion on Illiberal Democracy

Globalization, Nationalism & Democracy
Globalization, Nationalism & Democracy
Alexander Likhotal
Globalization, Nationalism & Democracy
Jérôme Bindé

Discussion on Globalization, Nationalism & Democracy

Technology, Media and Social Media
Technology, Media and Social Media
Momir Djurovic
Technology, Media and Social Media
Zlatko Lagumdžija

Discussion on Technology, Media and Social Media

Envisioning a Better System
Envisioning a Better System
John Bunzl
Envisioning a Better System
Michael Mulvey

Discussion on Envisioning a Better System

Conclusions & Recommendations
Conclusions & Recommendations
Garry Jacobs
Conclusions & Recommendations
Winston P. Nagan
Conclusions & Recommendations
Alberto Zucconi

Conclusions & Recommendations by Participants

Conclusions & Recommendations by Students

Presentation/Voice of Youth
Adam Koniuszewski