Political Trust Blog: Competition of Blog Posts

TRUEDEM Blog is dedicated to exploring and enhancing political trust. Established within the framework of the TRUEDEM Observatory of Political Trust Research, blog shall contribute to forming a vibrant community where scholars from diverse backgrounds engage in constructive dialogue, contributing insights and perspectives to the discourse on political trust.

Through thought-provoking articles, opinion pieces, and interactive discussions, TRUEDEM Blog shall not only facilitate the exploration of existing concepts of political trust but also encourage the exploration of innovative approaches and solutions. One of its primary functions is to bridge the gap between academia, policymaking, and the general public by translating complex ideas into accessible language and fostering mutual understanding. By showcasing a variety of viewpoints and methodologies, the blog shall encourage critical thinking and empower individuals to form informed opinions about the dynamics of political trust.

TRUEDEM project invites submissions for a competition of blog posts open through Fall 2024. Submissions should explore the interplay between political trust and various socio-political phenomena in Europe. Topics may include but are not limited to:

Trust and Polarization. Political trust and polarization in European societies are intertwined phenomena with profound implications for democratic governance. Submissions exploring this topic should delve into the complex dynamics at play. Participants may investigate how increasing polarization affects trust in key democratic institutions, such as parliaments, governments, and the judiciary. Furthermore, analysis could extend to the impact of polarization on trust in political actors, including elected officials, parties, and leaders. Authors are encouraged to propose strategies for mitigating polarization and rebuilding trust, considering the role of dialogue, civic education, inclusive policymaking, and media literacy initiatives.

Trust and Migration. The intersection of political trust and migration dynamics in Europe presents a rich terrain for inquiry. Submissions should examine the multifaceted relationship between perceptions of migration and trust in both national governments and supranational institutions like the European Union. Authors may explore how public attitudes towards migration policies influence trust in political decision-makers and shape broader perceptions of governmental competence and legitimacy. Moreover, analysis could consider the role of media narratives and political rhetoric in framing public discourse on migration, impacting trust in institutions and fostering societal divisions. Recommendations for fostering trust-building measures in migration policymaking and enhancing transparency in communication are encouraged.

Trust and EU Elections 2024. The 2024 European Parliament election represent a pivotal moment for assessing the nexus between political trust and democratic participation. Submissions could analyse the implications of political trust on voter turnout, electoral outcomes, and the perceived legitimacy of EU institutions. Authors may investigate how levels of trust in EU institutions and elected representatives influence voter behaviour and electoral outcomes across member states. Furthermore, analysis could explore strategies for enhancing trust in the electoral process, including efforts to increase transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Recommendations for promoting civic engagement, strengthening democratic institutions, and countering disinformation in the context of EU elections are welcome contributions to this discourse.

Democratic Innovations and Political Trust. Democratic innovations are a family of institutional reforms that could help substantiate the objective of reenchanting democracy. Democratic innovations can help strengthen political trust in several ways. Authors may discuss various forms of democratic innovations such as deliberative democracy, participatory budgeting, citizens' assemblies, and direct democracy mechanisms, and how these innovations work, their pros and cons, and their impact on political trust and engagement. Submissions can present case studies of democratic innovation initiatives from around the world, highlighting successful examples that have boosted political trust and citizen engagement. Authors may also focus on the ways to institutionalize democratic innovations within existing political systems and overcome barriers to their implementation.

Word Limit: Entries should be up to 1500 words.

Eligibility: Open to scholars at all career stages, including MA/PhD students.

Language: all entries should be in English. Blog posts should be written with a relatively wide audience in mind, including policymakers and other non-academics. We recommend that you avoid overusing acronyms and academic terms, such as Latin words, or specific terminology that may not be well known outside disciplinary circles.

Graphs/ tables: both tables and graphs can be included in the piece and are not included into the word count. Both graphs and tables must be clearly labelled, and the source of data provided in a note underneath.

References: URL links to the cited materials (whether books, articles, media or other sources) should be included throughout the text instead of references list.

Information about the author(s): short bio and a phot shall be submitted with the post.

Submission Deadline: entries shall be submitted by email to office@truedem.eu by December 01, 2024.

Evaluation Criteria: Submissions will be evaluated based on the strength of their arguments, analytical rigor, and relevance to the theme.

Prizes: TRUEDEM project will award up to five winners, with the following cash prizes: 1st Place: €500; 2nd Place: €400; 3rd Place: €300

Publication: All submissions will be published in the TRUEDEM blog on political trust at the TRUEDEM project website (including authors and affiliations), contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on political trust in Europe.