Lunch Talk @Academy with Livestream: PREEMPTING POPULISM: What Europe Can Learn from Asia

Format:
30 Minutes: Input
30 Minutes: Debate
Followed by networking

Snacks and drinks will be served.

About

Western democracy has degenerated into a contest among populist forces rather than a system of governance focused on broad societal progress. Trump, Brexit, and anti-European movements demonstrate a self-defeating irrationality at odds with the sophisticated requirements of governing in times of increasing complexity. Two small states in particular buck this trend – Switzerland and Singapore – and do so by balancing democracy and technocracy, the voice of the people and the professionalism of experts. Furthermore, they use big data and social media to plan ahead and harness disruptive forces rather than being destabilized by them. Is a combination of these two models – a “direct technocracy” – possible for larger European countries? On the eve of Germany’s election, what can be done to stave off populism and meet future challenges?