Democracy: Dead or Alive?

Just after the US midterms, Arminius will be the stage for the festival Democracy: Dead or Alive?  with a broad and diverse programme across multiple rooms. From lectures and debates on the current state of the democratic world to more hands-on sessions about actively participating in and bolstering democracy. At the end of the night we will dance to either celebrate or cry over our democracies.

Free for EUR-students with code: EUR

Timetable

Great Hall
20:00–21:00 Is Democracy Dying? – Carolien van Ham, Marieke de Hoon, and Tom Buitelaar
21:15–21.30 Cheer for Democracy – Eva Rovers
21:30–22:15 Democracy, Big Tech and Technofascism – Milan Stürmer and Eva Rovers
22:30–22:45 Lessons from Jünger – Vincent Blok
22:45–23:30 Extreme Politics and Authority – Sarah de Lange, Vincent Blok, and Marc van de Wardt
23:30–00:30 Live Death of Democracy by WILDe & Music by BARDONA

Upstairs
Pick up the mic – Lobby Lokaal

Council Chamber
Intervention: The Radio Play – VON

Committee Room
Crash Course in City Council Politics – Lokaal

Is Democracy Dying?

Anti-democratic parties are surging in the polls and being elected across the West. At the same time, many of the foundations of democracy seem to be slowly eroding. How are our democracies faring? How well are democracy and human rights safeguarded in a world that seems increasingly isolationist? And what impact does all this have on the international world order and international institutions such as the ICC and the UN? With Carolien van Ham, Marieke de Hoon, and Tom Buitelaar.

Carolien van Ham is Professor of Empirical Political Science at Radboud University Nijmegen. Her research focuses on democratic erosion, political representation and the integrity of elections.  How do democracies falter? And what can we do to ‘save’ our democracies?

Marieke de Hoon is Professor of International Criminal Justice at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). In her research and teaching she focuses on international law, international criminal law, national prosecution of international crimes and human rights. What does democratic backsliding mean for international law?

Tom Buitelaar is an Assistant Professor in the War, Peace & Justice programme at Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs, where he studies international conflict interventions in world politics. He is also co-chair of the Dutch Peacekeeping Network, which brings together key stakeholders to improve the Dutch role in UN peacekeeping.

Cheer for Democracy

Where can we still find hope in a turbulent political climate? Who is still committed to a democratic world? Hearing Eva Rovers’ story isn’t just a cause for sadness.

Eva Rovers is the director of Bureau Burgerberaad and the author of, amongst other works, Nu is het aan ons (Now it’s up to us, 2022)  and Waarom we politiek niet alleen aan politici kunnen overlaten (Why We Can’t Leave Politics to Politicians Alone, 2025). In her books and widely viewed TEDx talk, she explores themes such as initiatives that structurally involve residents in decision-making processes, such as citizens’ assemblies. This evening, she will pay tribute to democracy. 

Democracy, Big Tech and Technofascism

Tech bro’s like (Ex-)shadow president Elon Musk, anti-democrat Peter Thiel, or Meta mogul Mark Zuckerberg have garnered an immense influence on the workings of our democracies and politics. What are the extreme philosophies behind some of their actions and worldviews? How can we combat anti-democratic influences on big social media platforms? And: how do we control those who seem to control the whole internet? With Eva Rovers and Milan Stürmer.

Milan Stürmer is postdoctoral researcher at Erasmus School of Philosophy and coordinator at the Erasmus Institute for Philosophy and Technology. His research explores technofascism, the political epistemology and economy of artificial intelligence, and the development of a contemporary philosophy of technology.

Lessons from Jünger

Why does Ernst Jünger’s work appeal to younger generations? Why are they looking for strong, often autocratic leaders, and what does this say about contemporary politics?

Vincent Blok is professor at the Erasmus School of Philosophy, specializing in disruptive technologies and the human condition. He will discuss the appeal of Ernst Jünger’s work for younger generations, searching for strong, often autocratic leaders, and what this reveals about contemporary politics.

Extreme Politics and Authority

We live in uncertain times. Whenever this is the case extreme politics become more popular. Where does this yearning for authority come from? Is this simply what people currently want to see in their politicians, or are there deeper reasons behind this shift? And: How has the political landscape changed so rapidly, becoming more polarized and extreme over the past decades? With: Vincent Blok, Sarah De Lange and Marc van de Wardt.

Sarah de Lange is professor of Dutch Politics at Leiden University, where she coordinates the Comparative and Dutch Politics cluster and the Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur. She is an expert on new social and political divides, and the rise and impact of far-right parties on party systems and democracy.

Marc van de Wardt is an Associate Professor at VU’s School of Business and Economics. He has a background in Political Science as well as in Sociology and Communication Science. He examines how personality traits, such as honesty-humility, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, shape who gains and maintains political power and why voters choose for certain personality traits.

Workshops

Lobby Lokaal: Pick Up the Mic! (Workshop in Dutch) 
Everyone complains about their city from time to time. But how do you turn frustration into real change? In this interactive crash course by Lobby Lokaal – a platform that helps residents influence local politics – you'll learn how to tell a compelling story, make your voice heard, and create impact. Stop complaining, pick up the mic, and speak up for your city!

Voor Ons Nederland: The Intervention, the Audio Play (Workshop in Dutch)
The audio play is an accessible intervention in which, using a silent-disco headset, you listen to a personal story and are introduced to democratic values in comparison with an authoritarian regime. Afterwards, under the guidance of a moderator, you will engage in a group discussion about democracy and its meaning.

Lokaal: Workshop on Local Politics. (In Dutch)
Would you like to learn more about our local government? Then take this short course on local politics. How exactly does the municipality work? And what can you do to bring issues to the forefront? 

More names to be announced.