Cem Özdemir, Member of the European Parliament
Cem Özdemir reflects on how stable democracies can afford experimenting with different voting concepts, thresholds for entering the parliament, direct democracy, selection processes in the party etc. The framework of democracy is discussed as enabling change, election is considered a suitable test for the system and one of the major challenges which is pointed at is an inclusive definition of citizenship.
Kim Peter Erichsen, Founder of Global Voter Foundation
The article creates a vision apart as the unequal distribution of votes is proposed. In the best possible world, socially desired behaviour would be incentivised. Kim Erichsen sketches a society which would not only be very different from our contemporary one but even more accurate in terms of participation and problem solving.
Stefan Kotte, Economist, Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster University
The study assesses the optimal degree of delegation in democratic societies from an institution economics perspective providing a theoretical analysis of the market for information in direct democracy.
Hermann Scheer, Member of the German Bundestag, Right Livelihood Award laureate
Facing problems like the declining membership of parties and less and less turnout, Hermann Scheer calls for decisive and broad reforms of democracy. Referring to Roosevelt's New Deal, he states that development of the political system is possible and necessary in order to avoid further alienation between the public and their representatives. His remedy for the German case includes the use of referenda on the federal level and the mandatory approval of new ministers by the parliament.
Albrecht Müller, founder of the website “Nachdenkseiten“
Albrecht Müller is a long-time member of SPD, the German social-democratic party, and former chief of the planning departments in the Brandt and Schmidt administrations. He’s the founder of the website “Nachdenkseiten“.
Müller provides a thorough assessment of the current state of politics in Germany out of his experience, especially of the media's role in the political process. He deliberates on the functioning of political parties in Germany and on the factors that triggered the current financial crisis.
Dirk Hillbrecht, Chairman of the German Pirate Party (Piratenpartei)
At the time of the interview, Dirk Hillbrecht was the chairmen of the German Pirate Party, a party that specifically addressing topics like data privacy and surveillance.
In this interview, Hillbrecht explains possible benefits of new
technologies for the political process, as well as the digital divide
within both the population at large and the political system and its
actors specifically.
