The #DemocraCE project is a platform for bringing together those who have influence in their communities, so that they can share their knowledge with others across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Eventually, we would like these relationships to springboard larger pro-democratic initiatives, which will stimulate and hopefully increase the quality of public debate in post-communist Europe and address the growing resentments dominating the region as a whole.
Over the past few years, every country of CEE has seen the influence of disinformation campaigns which have negatively affected their governments, their democratic institutions and greatly weakened the bedrock of civil society. What #DemocraCE aims to accomplish is to offer articles, interviews and analysis which will hopefully combat the false narratives, often originating from Russia or other regional powers, which are disrupting and disinforming the public at large.
Our chosen course for #DemocraCE is to have knowledgeable authors write pieces for the general public published in their native language. At the same time, these articles and interviews will be published on the Visegrad/Insight website in English so as to reach the broadest of possible audiences.
Like our many colleagues across the region, we know that the most important component of a healthy democracy is a well-informed public, and we hope #DemocraCE will be part of the remedy that will help ease the problems stemming from disinformation.
#DemocraCE is realized with the help of sponsors such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Authors and Articles
- Michal Havran, The “Commoner’s” Central Europe Is Hollow. 2.2.2019 Originally published in Slovak on SME https://komentare.sme.sk/c/22030178/stredoeuropska-monarchia-plebejcov-je-prazdna.html (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-commoners-central-europe-is-hollow/
- Vít Dostál, A Fait Accompli in the V4, 17.1.2019. The article was originally published in International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs 1-2/2018. (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/a-fait-accompli-in-the-v4/
- Edit Zgut, A Time for Inclusion, 17.1.2019 Originally, published in Hungarian on 24.hu (https://24.hu/kulfold/2019/01/15/gdansk-pawel-adamowicz-polgarmester-gyilkossag/) (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/a-time-for-inclusion/
- Wojciech Przybylski, Orbán’s Self-imposed Predicament, 14.1.19. Originally, published in Polish on Polityka.pl https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1776608,1,orbn-kontra-wegierska-klasa-srednia.read (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/orbans-self-imposed-predicament/
- Zurab Vardiashvili, Democracy Trumps Politics in Tbilisi, 25.12.18 Originally published in Georgian on Liberali http://liberali.ge/articles/view/42157/opozitsiis-pozitsiebi-2020is-tsin–interviu-davit-berdzenishviltan (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/democracy-trumps-politics-in-tbilisi/
- Carmen Romero, Reaching Out to the Underrepresented, 20.12.18. https://visegradinsight.eu/reaching-out-to-the-underrepresented/
- Edit Zgut, Viktor Orbán’s Latest Move, 19.12.18. https://visegradinsight.eu/viktor-orbans-latest-move/
- Spasimir Domaradzki, A Home Truth: The impoverished ideologisation of the European political debate. 14.12.18 (In Bulgarian on Transmedia.bg) (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/a-home-truth/
- Elżbieta Bieńkowska, The Women of NATO: Security and Defence Used to be a Man’s World. (in Polish on Forbes) https://www.forbes.pl/gospodarka/womenarenato-project-elzbieta-bienkowska-dla-forbes-polska/qgmybxq 13.12.18 https://visegradinsight.eu/elzbieta_bienkowska_op_ed_womenarenato/
- Michaela Marečková, Security Risks in the Private Sector, 12.12.18 Originally published in Czech on Forum24 http://forum24.cz/buducnost-kontroly-priamych-zahranicnych-investicii-v-ceskej-republike/ (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/security-risks-in-the-private-sector/
- Daniel Hegedüs, A Plea for a Progressive Alliance. 11.12.18 https://visegradinsight.eu/a-plea-for-a-progressive-alliance-in-europe/
- Magda Jakubowska, #WomenAreNATO: A meeting with Rose Gottemoeller. 6.12.18 https://visegradinsight.eu/interview-with-rose-gottemoeller/
- Edit Zgut, Total Centralisation and the Illiberal Takeover. 29.11.18. Originally published in Hungarian on HVG https://hvg.hu/itthon/20181129_Totalis_centralizacio_es_a_media_foglyul_ejtese (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/total-centralisation-and-the-illiberal-takeover/
- Wojciech Przybylski, Troubled Waters on the Vltava, 28.11.18. Originally published in Polish on dziennik.pl https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/opinie/artykuly/586081,czechy-polska-relacje-dawno-nie-byly-tak-dobre.html (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/troubled-waters-for-the-vltava/
- Grigorij Mesežnikov, Playing Politics in Bratislava. 27.11.18 https://visegradinsight.eu/playing-politics-in-bratislava/
- Martin Ehl, Central Europe’s Identity Crisis. Originally published in Czech on Hospodářské noviny (19.11.18) https://nazory.ihned.cz/c1-66346500-postkomuniste-nikoli-demokrate (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/central-europes-identity-crisis/
- Spasimir Domaradzki, The Future of the EU. Originally published in Bulgarian on Capital (16.11.18) https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/redakcionni_komentari/2018/11/16/3346277_vreme_za_scenarii_za_evropa/ (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-future-of-the-eu/
- Timothy Snyder, Free media is free society. Originally published in Polish in Dziennik Gazeta Prawna https://serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl/media/artykuly/1330480,timothy-snyder-o-kontroli-prasy-i-suwerennosci-informacyjnej.htm
- Edit Zgut, The Uphill Battle. Originally published in Hungarian on HVG.hu https://hvg.hu/vilag/20181026_Ellenszerek_illiberalizmusra (26.10.18) (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-uphill-battle/
- Ruslanas Iržikevičius. Will Vilnius Be the Next Warsaw or Budapest? Originally published in Lithuanian by DELFI https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/monika-garbaciauskaite-budriene-stebime-negrazius-pozymius.d?id=79415357 25.10.18 (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/will-vilnius-be-the-new-warsaw-or-budapest/
- Juraj Šeliga, A Decent Slovakia. 23.10.18 https://visegradinsight.eu/a-decent-slovakia/
- Paweł Marcisz, A Straightforward Solution. Originally published in Polish on Res Publica Nowa http://publica.pl/teksty/marcisz-wymierzmy-sobie-komisje-europejska-64914.html (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/a-straightforward-solution/
- Andrew Wilson, Minsk verses Moscow, 18.10.18. https://visegradinsight.eu/minsk-verses-moscow/
- Zuzana Kepplova, All for Jan, Originally published (in Slovak) on SME (4.10.18): https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20929620/all-for-jan-rok-magickeho-myslenia.html (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/all-for-jan/
- Tomasz Kasprowicz. Playing on Our Emotions. First published in Polish on Polityka (17.9.18) https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1764198,1,gra-na-emocjach-czyli-jak-rosyjskie-trolle-destabilizuja-swiat.read (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/playing-on-our-emotions/
- Wojciech Przybylski, The EPP Votes Against Orban. First published in Polish on OKO (12.9.18) https://oko.press/orban-stracil-parasol-europejscy-chadecy-maja-go-dosc-art-7-wobec-wegier/ (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-epp-betrays-orban/
- Ruslanas Iržikevičius. The Necessity of Sharing, First published in Lithuanian by DELFI (8.9.18): https://www.delfi.lt/news/ringas/lit/ruslanas-irzikevicius-budas-kaip-vakaru-elitas-gali-isgelbeti-liberaliaja-demokratija-ir-save.d?id=78986923 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-necessity-of-sharing/
- Jonáš Syrovátka and Tereza Barbora Kupkova, In Defence of Defence. First published in Czech by HlídacíPes (4.9.18): https://hlidacipes.org/kdyz-cesti-komuniste-mluvi-o-nato-cesti-vojaci-v-pobalti-pod-utokem-dezinformaci/ (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/in-defence-of-defence/
- Edit Zgut, Facing Stalemate. First published in Hungarian by HVG: http://hvg.hu/velemeny/20180831_ki_inditja_be_brusszelt_zgut_lengyelorszag_jogallam (31.8.18) (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/facing-stalemate/
- Marcin Zaborowski, The Loneliness of Poland. First published in Polish on DGP 30.7.18. (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-loneliness-of-poland/
- Olga Gyarfasova, The Collective Memories of Socialism. First published in Slovak by SME https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20868828/nostalgia-za-mladostou-aj-niecim-co-nezazili.html 20.7.2018 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-collective-memories-of-socialism/
- Spasimir Domaradzki, Bulgaria’s Black Mirror. Originally published in Bulgarian on Capital: https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/mnenia/2018/07/17/3282845_zashto_problemite_na_pravovata_durjava_v_bulgariia_se/ 17.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/bulgarias-black-mirror/
- Alexandru Lăzescu, NATO Undermined, Originally published (in Romanian) on Ziarul de iasi: https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/stiri/opozitia-in-capcana-discursului-monocord-anti-coruptie–194779.html 16.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/political-myopia/
- Marcin Zaborowski, Trump Meets Putin, Originally published in Polish in Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/trump-meets-putin/
- Zuzana Kepplova, Recycled Rhetoric, Originally published (in Slovak) on SME: https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20862490/co-je-teda-tragediou-strednej-europy.html 6.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/recycled-rhetoric/
- John Lloyd, A Dose of Realism, Originally published (in Slovak) on SME:https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20864198/taka-unia-ktoru-si-bude-visegrad-pochvalovat.html (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/a-dose-of-realism/
- Botond Feledy, The Postmodern Gauntlet, Originally published in Hungarian on Index https://index.hu/tech/2018/07/03/kiberter_cyber_kiberhadviseles/ (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-postmodern-gauntlet/
- Alexandru Lăzescu, NATO Undermined, Originally published (in Romanian) on Newsweek.ro: https://newsweek.ro/international/nato-in-pericol-actuala-ordine-mondiala-ar-putea-fi-resetata 4.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/nato-undermined/
- Wojciech Przybylski and Edit Zgut, Fortifying CE Democracies. Originally published (in Polish) on Gazeta Prawna: http://www.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/1159779,przybylski-o-nieliberalnej-demokracji.html 3.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/fortifying-ce-democracies/.
- Beata Balogová, Who Are the New Censors? Originally published (in Slovak) on SME: https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20861935/cenzura-je-dnes-uz-ine-zviera-ale-stale-hryzie.html 2.7.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/who-are-the-new-censors/
- Edit Zgut, The Limitations of Subterfuge. Originally published in Hungarian on HVG: http://hvg.hu/vilag/20180628_Nem_mukodik_a_visegradi_varazstrukk . 28.6.18 (In English) https://visegradinsight.eu/the-limitations-of-subterfuge/
- Spasimir Domaradzki, Bulgarian Democracy: Ideals vs Reality . Originally published in Bulgarian on Capital.bg: https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/mnenia/2018/06/22/3204116_krivorazbranata_demokraciia_a_sega_nakude/ 22.6.18 (in English) http://visegradinsight.eu/bulgarian-democracy-ideals-vs-reality/
- Daniel Hegedüs, Illiberal Internationalism? Originally published in Hungarian on HGB: http://hvg.hu/itthon/20180614_Illiberalis_Internacionale 14.6.18 (in English) https://visegradinsight.eu/illiberal-internationalism/
- Daniel Prokop, Cracks in the Facade . Originally published in Polish on Polityka.pl : https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1751758,1,czechy-demokracja-jako-produkt-ze-znikajacymi-klientami.read 10.6.18 (In English) : http://visegradinsight.eu/cracks-in-the-facade/
- Marcin Zaborowski, Uncle Sam’s Cold Shoulder Originally published in Polish in Dziennik Gazeta Prawna: http://www.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/1128732,polska-i-wegry-nie-sa-pupilami-usa.html 7.6.18 (in English) http://visegradinsight.eu/uncle-sams-cold-shoulder/
- Daniel Bartha, The Battle for Brussels. Originally published in Hungarian on HVG.hu http://hvg.hu/itthon/20180604_A_Fidesz_es_a_neppart_Orbannak_vannak_opcioi_es_zsarolasi_potencialja 4.6.18 (In English) http://visegradinsight.eu/the-battle-for-brussels/
- Paweł Marcisz, From Brussels, With Indifference. Originally published in Polish on Dziennik.pl. http://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/opinie/artykuly/574460,historia-nieudolnosc-komisja-europejska-trybunal-konstytucyjny-porazka.html 16.5.18 (In English) http://visegradinsight.eu/from-brussels-with-indifference/
- Wojciech Przybylski, A Warning Against Czexit. Originally published (in Polish) on Dziennik.pl http://www.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/1123321,rzad-w-czechach-z-radykalnymi-zwolennikami-wyjscia-z-nato-i-ue.html. (In English) http://visegradinsight.eu/a-warning-against-czexit/
- Tomasz Kasprowicz , The Price of Truth. Frst published in Polityka https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1748514,1,jak-nie-poddac-sie-manipulacji-w-internecie.read (In English) http://visegradinsight.eu/the-price-of-truth/
- Wojciech Przybylski, Showing Orbán the Door. First published in Polish https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/swiat/1748580,1,orbn-w-warszawie-polska-musi-przestac-poblazac-jego-polityce.read (In English) http://visegradinsight.eu/showing-orban-the-door/
- Jonáš Syrovátka, Skripal: The Two Faces of the Czech Media Space. First published by HlídacíPes, Czechia, 26.4.2018 (in Czech) ; (in English)
- Botond Feledy Democracy: A Government for the Fallible. First published: Sziv – paper edition, 3.5.2018 (in Hungarian) http://visegradinsight.eu/democracy-a-government-for-the-fallible/ (in English)
- Olga Gyarfasova, Winter of Our Discontent. First published by SME, Slovakia, 21.4.2018
https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20806511/zima-nasej-nespokojnosti.html (in Slovak)
http://visegradinsight.eu/the-winter-of-our-discontent/ (in English)