Strengthening Democratic Resilience
A look back at three recent EFA365 events that explored how democracies can remain resilient amid digital transformation, rising authoritarianism, and shifting public spheres.
Exploring Democracies in the Digital Age
Together with our partners, we hosted three events over the past weeks ach examining a different facet of democratic resilience in a rapidly changing digital and geopolitical landscape.
Below is a summary of the insights, takeaways, and recurring themes of solidarity, collective governance, and the urgent need for stronger democratic infrastructures.
From Techno-Utopia to Democratic Risk: Why Solidarity Matters in the Age of AI
A conversation between Yusaf Akbar (Central European University) and Barbara Prainsack (University of Vienna, EFA)
Their discussion explored how AI and digital platforms are reshaping both the public sphere and democratic governance, and why solidarity must be placed at the center of our response.
Barbara Prainsack emphasized that with autocracies now outnumbering democracies globally, digital spaces must be treated as critical public infrastructure. Digital “commons”, including data commons, should play a far greater role. Therefore, data governance must be approached collectively, addressing systemic societal impacts.
Yusaf Akbar further highlighted how institutions and shared public frameworks can ensure that technology development aligns with democratic values rather than undermining them.
Takeaways
- Solidarity is not an abstract moral stance – it is a governance principle.
- Democracies need shared infrastructures, shared benefits, and shared responsibility.
- Digital technologies must be governed in ways that reinforce, not hollow out, democratic agency.
The Authoritarian Playbook – and the Democratic Response
Panel with Marie Ringler, Daniel Binswanger, and Natascha Strobl
At the opening of the Mitmacht Festival 2025, organised by our partner Faktor D, in cooperation with the European Forum Alpbach, Marie Ringler (EFA Vice-President) and Jeanette Gusko launched a compelling discussion on how democracies can meaningfully counter authoritarian strategies.
Marie Ringler underscored that moving beyond crisis fatigue requires focusing on what we can do, and what we can do together. Unexpected local alliances are essential in rebuilding trust and collective capacity.
Natascha Strobl stressed how solidarity must be the anchor of democratic action and social cohesion. Everyone has personal experiences of solidarity, which makes it a powerful mobilizing principle.
Daniel Binswanger pointed to the upcoming elections in France and Germany as crucial indicators of whether democratic systems can prevent authoritarian actors from gaining power.
The discussion was framed by the emerging Democracy Playbook by Faktor D, a toolkit providing concrete strategies and alliance-building approaches for democratic actors ahead of the pivotal 2029 election year.
Takeaways
- Democratic renewal begins locally, with coalition-building.
- Solidarity is both a societal glue and a political strategy.
- The next European electoral cycles will be decisive for the future of democratic norms.
Social Media – A Business Model That Threatens Democracy?
FAN Democracy Initiative x Panel at the House of the European Union, Vienna
This event was organised by the Democracy Initiative of the Forum Alpbach Network at the House of the EU in Vienna, in cooperation with the European Parliament Liaison Office and as part of European Capital of Democracy Vienna.
The panel examined how social media’s click-driven business model structurally incentivizes polarization, emotional amplification, and simplified narratives, and if this is creating profound risks for democratic deliberation.
The evening was opened by Georg Pfeifer, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office, and Marie Ringler, Vice President of the European Forum Alpbach, who emphasized how digital spaces are reshaping democratic discourse.
Speakers
- Verena Kontschieder, former Meta Policy Manager
- Peter Knees, TU Wien, UNESCO Chair for Digital Humanism
- Desiree Schmuck, University of Vienna – Political Communication & Social Media
- Filip Paspalj – regulatory perspective on implementing the Digital Service Act in Austria
With statements from:
- Alexander Geese, Member of the European Parliament
- Helmut Brandstätter, Member of the European Parliament
Takeaways
- Influencers are increasingly replacing traditional journalism. Engagement-driven ranking amplifies emotion and polarization.
- Algorithms optimize for user time and revenue, not well-being. Internal industry insights show how growth often outweighs safety and integrity concerns.
- The Digital Services Act marks a milestone by addressing systemic risks, but real impact depends on strong enforcement, meaningful data access for research, and a confident European stance toward global tech giants.
- Solutions discussed ranged from Digital Humanism to algorithmic choice, interoperability, limits on content flooding, and strengthening public-service media in digital spaces.
Partner Clubs: Club Alpbach Salzburg, Club Alpbach Tirol, Club Alpbach Senza Confini, IG Wien.
Summary
Across all three events, a common thread emerged: Democracy is not self-maintaining. It requires solidarity, cross-sector alliances, strong democratic infrastructures, and proactive strategies to navigate digital and geopolitical change. The EFA365 series will continue to deepen these conversations and develop practical pathways forward.
EFA365: Year-round Policy Debates
The event is part of the EFA365 initiative, where the European Forum Alpbach organises discussions throughout the year in Vienna, Berlin, Brussels, Munich, The Hague, Innsbruck and other cities. The goal is to deepen various policy topics continuously, preparing for the Forum's debates in August.
The elaborated events were all interlinked with the EFA track Democracy & The Rule of Law. If you are interested in this topic, read our reporting partners’ summaries of the EFA25 discussions.