Governments across Europe need to be more candid with their citizens
This talk is part of the ‘Science and populism: from evidence to narrative’ series, co-hosted by the Oxford Martin School and the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.
One of the biggest failings of European governments over the past 25 years has been their unwillingness to explain to their electorates the profoundly changing dynamics of the global economy and the pressures this will place on their economic future. European welfare systems and other aspects of the socio-economic contract have become increasingly unsustainable in this international context. Yet governments have tended to underplay the extent of the challenge, avoided or postponed necessary structural responses, and constructed fair-weather institutions to disguise the gaps between policy choices and needed reforms. The result has been deep popular resentment to the halting reform process, which is seen as helping preserve the riches of the few rather than creating fair opportunities in the future, and an erosion in public trust in established parties. Can parties, politicians and governments recover in the coming years, and what will they need to do? What is the balance of responsibilities at the national and EU institutional levels? What risks might throw them off course?
Date:
7 June 2018, 17:00 (Thursday, 7th week, Trinity 2018)
Venue:
Corner of Catte and Holywell Streets
Speaker:
Robin Niblett (Chatham House)
Organising department:
Oxford Martin School
Organisers:
Professor Sarah Harper (Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford),
Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
events@oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk
Part of:
Science and populism: from evidence to narrative (Oxford Martin School, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing and University College Joint Series)
Booking required?:
Required
Booking url:
https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/event/2574
Booking email:
events@oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk
Cost:
Free
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Hannah Mitchell
