Socires On 6 November, a round table was held with Ernst-Hirsch Ballin, Ad Verbrugge and candidate room members about the state of political and public institutions. Are they vital, and do they still have the confidence of the citizen? If not, how can they regain trust? Look it back through https://youtu.be/w5nG8t6R6Gg or click below.
Beyond the political daily races there are two main themes that always return in the run-up to the Lower House elections of 2023: quality of governance and security of life. These include political polarisation, the premium affair, increasing poverty and housing shortage. The public understands that these two issues also refer to a fundamental political issue: Does our country's governance function and still succeed in fulfilling its core social tasks?
This question becomes all the more urgent because of the collapse of trust in society: between people as well as in politics and public institutions. That is not a Dutch phenomenon: We are facing democratic regression worldwide. Perhaps even more than answering practical questions and problems, the question of revitalising trust (underling and in public and democratic institutions) in society is therefore relevant to the new Lower House. But is she capable of that?
Summary
Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin presented an introduction to his book "Watchful Citizenship: regaining trust in democracy and the rule of law" (2022). Dr. Ad Verbrugge spoke about his book "The crisis of authority: philosophical essay about a shaky order" (2023). Kandiaat-kamermembers Joost Sneller (D66), Mona Keijzer (BBB), Ulysse Ellian (VVD), Songül Mutluer (GroenLinks-PvdA), Derk Boswijk (CDA) and Don Ceder (CU) then spoke to the leaders. Do they have an eye for the dormant democratic crisis - and how will they address it during the next parliamentary term of the House of Representatives?
About the speakers
Prof. Dr Ernst Hirsch Ballin was Minister of Justice (1989-1994 and 2006-2010) and is emeritus university professor Tilburg University and emeritus professor of Human Rights University of Amsterdam.
Dr. Ad Verbrugge is associate professor of social and cultural philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and founder of association Beter Onderwijs Nederland; Philosophical School Netherlands; research center Èthos; and media channel De Nieuwe Wereld.