What roles can democracy labs play in co-creating democratic innovations for sustainability?

Campos, Inês; Fuchs, Doris; Repo, Petteri; Jager, Wander; Klöckner, Christian; Wang, Shaoni; Lamas, David; Cots, Francesc; Barchiesi, Eugenio; Löfström, Erica; Peniche, Daniel; Sion, Yulia; Buth, Vanessa; Limão, João; Oliveira, Sandra; Reyes Diaz, Claudia; Živčič, Lidija

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

This perspective essay proposes Democracy Labs as new processes for developing democratic innovations that help tackle complex socio-ecological challenges within an increasingly unequal and polarised society, against the backdrop of democratic backsliding. Next to the current socio-ecological crisis, rapid technological innovations present both opportunities and challenges for democracy and call for democratic innovations. These innovations (e.g., mini-publics, collaborative governance and e-participation) offer alternative mechanisms for democratic participation and new forms of active citizenship, as well as new feedback mechanisms between citizens and traditional institutions of representative democracy.