Addressing the Political and Democratic Implications of the Current Economic Crisis

The current economic crisis has major implications for political dynamics and democratic governance in Europe, as well as for society as a whole. Identity politics increasingly define debates around economy and society and thereby threaten democracy and the principles of the open society.

The Think Tank Symposium aimed at investigating the current crisis and developing innovative approaches on how to address its implications. It engaged local knowledge by inviting think tankers to explore where the crisis is being felt in practice and how it will shape society over the coming decade. It also offered an opportunity to discover and foster connections between think tanks across Europe.

Questions which were addressed included:

• How and where is the crisis being felt? Reports from the four corners of Europe.
• The power of ideas: what changes how people think about the crisis?
• Powerful ideas in politics: Why are many voters abandoning mainstream parties? To what extent is the crisis reshaping politics?
• Powerful ideas in policies: How has the crisis reshaped policy debates about the Eurozone and the EU?
• Economic and social scenarios for Europe in 2020.

Through this symposium the Open Society Foundations Brussels in conjunction with the Think Tank Fund continue to advance our work and the interventions of others in the field, as well as contribute new perspectives to the broader policy debate on these critical issues.