Author: Teodora Furtună
Democracy has represented for Europe the first step towards what I call change and a new vision favorable to the development of every individual. It is, so to speak, an open door to opinions that matter, voices that are heard, issues brought to light, but also to inconveniences, to difficult stages, and challenges. The title of "Democratic Europe" is one we are proud of and which offers us the freedom we enjoy, but preserving it and attempting to evolve on this path is not an easy task. Democracy finds itself at a crucial moment in the face of the vast social and political landscape that imposes a degree of difficulty regarding the wide range of challenges and opportunities. European values have been and remain the adjunct factor in maintaining the credibility of democracy, as most initiatives and opportunities for citizens stem from them. However, questioning the future of a democratic Europe is necessary and perhaps inevitable. How will the system evolve? Will it remain the same or will certain things change? Will it be good or bad?
The expectations we have from the democratic context in which we live are in line with the promises upheld by it, but not always will the European landscape conform to how we wish it to meet our needs and desires. Why does this happen? European democracy is a flexible and adaptable system, and the continuous commitment to open dialogue, civic participation, and democratic responsibility can help ensure that the needs and aspirations of citizens are reflected in the decision-making process. However, it is unlikely that all citizens' demands will be adopted, as they are not always feasible and applicable to the majority.
Adapting European Democracy: Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
Regarding a future of democratic Europe dotted with challenges and threats, a problem that can be introduced with ease is highlighted by the saying, "your freedom ends where the freedom of others begins." These are the words any student hears in the education system when the theme of discussion is human rights, freedom, and responsibility, values and so forth. Their purpose is to establish the fact that rules are what truly grant us freedom and do not restrict us but towards the proper functioning of society. In this sense, democracy promotes freedom in all its forms and manifestations, but the process of adaptation to this principle is not uniform and homogeneous. Often, certain masses of the population perceive the concept of freedom and European values differently overall, leading to exacerbated nationalism and other misconceptions. The status of democratic Europe promotes unity and the interests of all, not just of a population segment. Together is the concept Europe uses as its motto, emphasizing that everything we do and think must reflect a common purpose that favors the development of all. Extreme nationalism, which emphasizes the importance and promotion of the interests of the nation or ethnic group to the detriment of other considerations, represents a threat to the future of a democratic society.
Democracy and the Young European Generation: Opportunities and Responsibilities
When we say the word Europe, as young members of society, we should think about opportunity, equal chances, involvement regardless of race, gender, beliefs, and so forth, which we already observe. Young people benefit from freedom of expression, civil and political rights highlighted by the ability to vote, access to education, international mobility and exchanges, as well as the entire sphere of volunteering, NGOs, and activism (a majority (58%) of young people have participated in one or more organisations over the last 12 months). Inclusion and diversity are increasingly promoted as European values, and various projects and exchanges of experience are emerging, as anyone who wants to be involved and has the ambition to make a change can apply to them. Europe seems to encourage young people to become changemakers, meaning individuals with initiative who cultivate their ideas, not just those who think them. Because everything starts with motivation and ideas, but to evolve and become reality, there must be the principle of cultivating patience, accepting failure, and continuing to fight for what you want. Sometimes democracy also means fear and uncertainty because we live in an era where with a single click we can share an opinion with the whole world, we can find information about people, and we can receive positive or negative feedback in return. ”What do I do now?” Many would ask themselves in a situation where they realize that every privilege, including that of equality and democracy, comes with disadvantages. Because then the citizen realizes that they do not live alone, but alongside other people...together.
Obstacles and Resistance on the Path of European Democracy
One obstacle facing the future of democratic Europe concerns an antithesis between the continuously changing European landscape and people's fear of change itself. When something changes, some people get scared and find it difficult to accept novelty. Europe is still held back by conservative groups of people who are unwilling to let go of deeply-rooted communist principles dating back to ancient times. It is true that Europe is overall on the right path, but we must not overlook the fact that not only large positive outcomes will matter, but also the smaller negative ones. We desire that change and we are in the process of it, but there is reluctance and fear.
Trends and Perspectives: The Future of European Democracy
In a healthy and thriving democracy, citizens can freely express their views, choose their political leaders, and have a say about their future. Democracy in the EU faces challenges from rising extremism, election interference, the spread of manipulative information and threats against journalists..
Some statistics from june 2023 say that the interest in the next European elections (2024 elections) is at 56% among citizens, six percentage points higher than one year before the last European elections. What is more: two-thirds of citizens (67%) say they are likely to vote, when 58% said so in 2018.
The heart of the matter
Democracy is the core value that citizens want the European Parliament to defend. With 37% mentioning this overall, it is also the leading value in 14 EU Member States. The majority of citizens are also satisfied with the way democracy works in the European Union (54%).
Democracy is what makes us
An absolute majority of EU citizens are satisfied with seven of ten different aspects of democracy. Free and fair elections (70%), freedom of speech (70%), and respect for fundamental rights (66%) are the aspects that generate the most satisfaction.
Therefore, it is clear that we enjoy European democracy, which is why both the good things and the aspects that still need work must be brought to light. In terms of opportunities, freedom and democracy speak through citizen involvement in elections, training experiences, freedom of expression, political engagement, rule of law and so on. But all these opportunities cannot be cultivated if people's fear and skepticism persist. The obstacles that European democracy faces largely boil down to the relationships between people, their mindset, the difficulty of bringing about change in their lives. For we can have the solution in our hands, but if it is not received by others as it should be, it is worthless.
References
This article is published under the framework of the EFIVOS project. EFIVOS is an initiative aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of EU institutions, policies, and democratic procedures. This podcast has been funded through project 101081482 — EFIVOS in Europe — CERV-2022-CITIZENS-CIV.
The European Commission support for the production of this article does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflect the view only of the authors, and the Commission can not be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.