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REDIRECT brings together podcasts and interviews from The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification, a European research project exploring how democratic representation is changing and how citizens and political...
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REDIRECT brings together podcasts and interviews from The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification, a European research project exploring how democratic representation is changing and how citizens and political institutions can reconnect. Through conversations with scholars and researchers, we examine political parties, parliaments, citizen participation, democratic innovations, and the challenges facing representative democracy across Europe. Drawing on political theory and empirical research, our audio series explore why citizens feel unheard, how political representatives respond to their demands, and what can strengthen trust, accountability, and democratic participation. REDIRECT is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101095142.Discover the project, its research, and its activities:
https://redirect.unisi.it/
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https://redirect.unisi.it/
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Alice Moseley and Lise Herman (University of Exeter) examine how citizens’ assemblies can help reconnect citizens with representative democracy. Drawing on REDIRECT research into climate assemblies in France and the United Kingdom, including media analysis and almost 40 interviews, they explore how deliberation within these institutions connects with wider public debate. They find greater visibility and contestation in France, showing how public engagement can bring criticism as well as support. The conversation considers how stronger links with policymaking and better public communication could increase assemblies’ democratic influence while addressing the risks of polarisation and political instrumentalisation. Mathieu Prevelato, a PhD candidate at Yale University, co-authored two of the three papers discussed in this interview. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Zsófia Papp (ELTE Centre for Social Sciences) explores how citizens judge whether legislators are responsive—and which forms of responsiveness they value most. Drawing on a conjoint experiment conducted in five European countries, she identifies a consistent pattern of asymmetric accountability: voters penalise poor performance more heavily than they reward exceptional performance. They also place greater value on substantive policy work, resources delivered to constituencies and direct assistance to individuals than on symbolic gestures. Papp shows how this imbalance may shape representative behaviour, encouraging elected officials to avoid visible failures, minimise risks and preserve the status quo rather than pursue ambitious change. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Paolo Marzi (University of Siena) revisits one of the central dilemmas of democratic representation: should politicians follow citizens’ preferences or exercise their own judgement? Drawing on mass and elite surveys conducted across eight European countries, he finds that citizens are divided between these two ideals, while politicians generally favour greater autonomy. Interviews with young Italian representatives, however, suggest that the distinction is far less clear in practice. Marzi describes an alternative model of “responsible responsiveness”, in which representatives listen to citizens, weigh competing demands, make decisions and explain both their reasoning and the consequences of their choices. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Thomas Poguntke (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf) examines how political parties have become increasingly disconnected from the societies they represent. He traces how many established parties have lost members and weakened their social roots while growing more dependent on state resources and public office. Although this transformation supports professional political careers, it can leave party organisations increasingly detached from citizens and local communities. Poguntke argues that the future of party democracy will depend on closing this distance by rebuilding parties’ roots in society and forging stronger relationships with their constituencies. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Marta Smagacz-Poziemska (Jagiellonian University) explores how young people understand democracy through their everyday lives. Drawing on REDIRECT focus groups in Kraków and Brussels, she finds a strong commitment to democratic values, including human rights and freedom of expression, alongside deep frustration with how democracy works in practice. Participants in Brussels speak of a “double-standard democracy”, while those in Kraków describe an “exhausting polarisation”. Her research shows that democratic attitudes are formed not only through formal politics but also through education, work, neighbourhoods and other everyday settings—making local experiences and emotions crucial to understanding representative disconnect. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Magdalena Góra (Jagiellonian University) discusses how political actors debate democracy in the European Union. Based on an analysis of European Parliament debates following the Conference on the Future of Europe and proposals for a European Democracy Shield, she identifies two central disagreements: whether democracy should remain anchored mainly at the national level, and how representative institutions should relate to new participatory and deliberative formats. The conversation highlights the unresolved challenge of ensuring that citizen engagement strengthens—rather than competes with—representative democracy at the European level. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Luca Verzichelli (University of Siena) discusses findings from the REDIRECT surveys of citizens and political elites. Political representatives are generally more supportive of democratic institutions and less sympathetic to authoritarian or populist positions than the public, yet they often struggle to communicate the value of representation. Verzichelli describes this as evidence of the fragility of representation rather than its disappearance. He argues that reconnecting citizens and representatives requires democratic innovation, opportunities for participation and deliberation, and renewed attention to the continuing role of political parties. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Katarzyna Zielińska (Jagiellonian University) discusses the role of civil society organisations in responding to dissatisfaction with representative democracy. Drawing on REDIRECT research in Poland, Norway, Italy and at the European Union level, the conversation examines how organisations engage citizens, connect underrepresented groups with political elites, and hold decision-makers accountable. It also considers participatory innovations such as citizens' panels while warning against citizen washing, in which participation legitimises decisions without influencing policy. Civil society can support democratic reconnection only when citizens' contributions have meaningful consequences. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, John Erik Fossum (University of Oslo) discusses how European integration is changing representative democracy. He presents the European Union as an experiment in democratic governing in which representation is being rescaled rather than simply transferred from the national to the European level. The European Parliament and national representative institutions reshape one another as member states adapt to supranational democracy. Fossum explains why this interaction requires us to reconsider how political authority, representation and accountability operate across multiple levels in Europe. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Transcribed
11 NOV 2026 · In this conversation, Elodie Thevenin (Jagiellonian University) asks whether young politicians represent younger citizens when they enter parliament. Drawing on REDIRECT research into speeches by young MPs in seven European countries and the European Parliament, she finds that they rarely claim explicitly to speak on behalf of young people. Yet age still enters their parliamentary work through references to personal experience and attention to issues that particularly affect younger citizens. She also examines how political parties may invoke youth as a strategic resource without translating it into a consistent commitment to representation. Produced as part of REDIRECT — The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification.
Horizon Europe | Grant Agreement No. 101095142
Explore the project: https://redirect.unisi.it/
Contact: redirect@unisi.it
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Recommended by Redirect
REDIRECT brings together podcasts and interviews from The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification, a European research project exploring how democratic representation is changing and how citizens and political...
show more
REDIRECT brings together podcasts and interviews from The Representative Disconnect: Diagnosis and Strategies for Rectification, a European research project exploring how democratic representation is changing and how citizens and political institutions can reconnect. Through conversations with scholars and researchers, we examine political parties, parliaments, citizen participation, democratic innovations, and the challenges facing representative democracy across Europe. Drawing on political theory and empirical research, our audio series explore why citizens feel unheard, how political representatives respond to their demands, and what can strengthen trust, accountability, and democratic participation. REDIRECT is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101095142.Discover the project, its research, and its activities:
https://redirect.unisi.it/
show less
https://redirect.unisi.it/
Information
| Author | Redirect |
| Organization | Redirect |
| Categories | Social Sciences , Government , Philosophy |
| Website | redirect.unisi.it |
| redirect@unisi.it |
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