How do populist governments disrupt EU decision-making? In this episode, Prof. Ariadna Ripoll Servent and Prof. Natascha Zaun explore unpolitics — a strategy where populist leaders reject traditional compromise in favor of voter mobilization.

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

🎙 Based on their research "Under Which Conditions Do Populist Governments Use Unpolitics in EU Decision-Making", this discussion reveals how populists use unpolitics to challenge EU governance and policymaking.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ What is unpolitics, and how does it differ from traditional strategies?
✅ How populist governments prioritize votes over consensus-building
✅ The impact of unpolitics on EU refugee distribution policies
✅ Where unpolitics is most likely to emerge in EU policymaking
✅ The consequences for EU governance and democratic stability

To read their full article, check out the special issue (Vol. 12, 2024) Unpolitics: The Role of Populist Governments in EU Decision-Making: 
https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/8923

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#Populism #Unpolitics #EUPolitics #Democracy #EUDecisionMaking #PoliticalScience

Populist Power Plays: How 'Unpolitics' Shapes EU Decision-Making | Prof. Ripoll Servent & Prof. Zaun

How has gender equality evolved in the European Union, and what challenges lie ahead? In this episode, Prof. Esther Barbé explores the EU’s role in advancing gender equality and the obstacles that threaten its progress.

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

🎙 From the 1979 CEDAW Convention to the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy 2025, this discussion examines how policies have evolved, shifting from equal pay laws to a comprehensive gender mainstreaming approach.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The evolution of gender equality in the EU. From the Treaty of Rome (1957) to today
✅ How gender equality drives economic growth, labor participation & social change
✅ The rise of anti-gender movements & the threat to the Istanbul Convention
✅ Strategic actions the EU can take to safeguard gender rights & build alliances
✅ The global impact of EU policies on human rights and equality 

📌 Watch Prof. Barbé’s Video Discussion: EU-VALUES Network Talks (in Spanish & English) 👉 https://www.eu-values.eu/videohub

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#GenderEquality #HumanRights #EUValues #Feminism #WomensRights #IstanbulConvention

The Evolution of Gender Equality in the EU: Progress, Challenges & Future | Prof. Esther Barbé

What’s driving the rise of right-wing populism in Europe, and how can we counter its influence? In this episode, Prof. Daphne Halikiopoulou unpacks the key economic, cultural, and political factors fueling populist movements across the continent.

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

🎙 Based on Daphen's co-authored article "Understanding Right-Wing Populism and What to Do About It" (with Prof. Tim Vlandas), this discussion challenges simplistic explanations and explores the regional variations in populist success.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The root causes of right-wing populism: economic crises vs. cultural grievances
✅ How populist movements differ across European countries
✅ The role of historical legacies in shaping political landscapes
✅ Patterns and trends in the success of populist parties
✅ Strategies for countering right-wing populism effectively

To read Daphne and Tim's full article, see here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/newe.12309

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#Populism #RightWingPolitics #Democracy #EUValues #EuropeanPolitics #PoliticalScience

Understanding Right-Wing Populism in Europe & How to Respond with Prof. Daphne Halikiopoulou

How independent is the EU in its decision-making, and how do third countries influence its policies? In this episode, Prof. Marja-Liisa Öberg, Associate Professor of EU Law at Lund University, explores the EU’s "friend zone" dynamic and the legal justifications for its autonomy.

In this episode of The European Dialogue, we explore one of the most pressing issues in European politics today - EU enlargement. What does it mean? Why does it matter? And why is this conversation more urgent than ever? 

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

🎙 Based on her article "Friend Zone Forever? The Essence of and Justifications for the EU’s Decision-Making Autonomy," Prof. Öberg examines the complexities of EU constitutional law, external relations, and the growing impact of third-country actors.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The EU’s decision-making autonomy: What does it mean in practice?
✅ How third countries attempt to shape EU law and policies
✅ The challenges of maintaining independence in external relations
✅ Insights from the special issue on third-country influence in the Journal of Common Market Studies
✅ The evolving nature of EU-global partnerships

📌 Read More:
📖 Prof. Marja-Liisa Öberg’s article on EU decision-making autonomy 👉 https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13459
📖 Special Issue: Third-Country Influence on EU Law & Policy 👉 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14685965/2023/61/6

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#EULaw #EUAutonomy #EuropeanUnion #PolicyMaking #InternationalRelations #Geopolitics

Friend Zone Forever? EU Decision-Making Autonomy & Third-Country Influence | Prof. Marja-Liisa Öberg

What’s holding back climate action in Latin America, and how can the region overcome these challenges? In this episode, Prof. Andrea Ribeiro Hoffmann explores the political, institutional, and economic factors shaping Latin America's climate policies.

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

🎙 Drawing from her co-edited book "Climate Change in Regional Perspective – European Union and Latin American Initiatives, Challenges, and Solutions", Prof. Hoffmann examines why regional organizations like MERCOSUR and UNASUR struggle to prioritize climate policies, despite Latin America’s environmental significance.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The political shifts influencing climate cooperation (Pink Tide, conservative governments)
✅ Why regional organizations struggle to enforce climate commitments
✅ How Latin America can leverage global agreements like the Paris Agreement
✅ Insights from COP29 in Azerbaijan and expectations for COP30 in Brazil
✅ The role of trade agreements (EU-MERCOSUR deal) in climate governance
✅ Civil society’s impact on shaping environmental policies

Resources Mentioned:
📘 Climate Change in Regional Perspective (Open Access): https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/88353
📜 Escazú Agreement & Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
📅 EU-MERCOSUR Agreement (December 6th)

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#ClimateAction #LatinAmerica #COP30 #Sustainability #EUMERCOSUR #ParisAgreement #EnvironmentalPolicy

Climate Action in Latin America: Challenges & Solutions with Prof. Andrea Ribeiro Hoffmann

In this episode of The European Dialogue, we explore one of the most pressing issues in European politics today - EU enlargement. What does it mean? Why does it matter? And why is this conversation more urgent than ever? 

This podcast is part of The European Dialogue podcast series. You can listen to this on Spotify, Youtube or Soundcloud. Links Below.

Emily Jones is joined by Professor Veronica Anghel, an expert in comparative politics and international relations, to unpack the geopolitics of EU expansion. As an assistant professor at the Robert Schuman Centre and co-lead of the EU Enlargement Hub, Veronica shares insights from her research on European integration, democracy, and transatlantic relations. 

Key Topics Covered:
✅ The EU’s enlargement as a tool for peace and stability
✅ How Russia’s influence shapes the future of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia
✅ The balance between security concerns and democratic reforms
✅ The potential impact of the Trump administration on EU policy
✅ How academics, policymakers & civil society can strengthen EU resilience

This conversation was recorded a few weeks before the U.S. administration transition in January 2025, but its themes remain highly relevant amidst today’s fast-changing global politics! 

Finally, we also reference two of Veronica Anghel’s most relevant and recent articles with Erik Jones, which we highly recommend for more on EU Enlargement:
📖 ANGHEL, Veronica; JONES, Erik (2024) – Three Lessons from the 2004 'Big Bang' Enlargement: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/8358
📖 ANGHEL, Veronica; JONES, Erik (2024) – The Geopolitics of EU Enlargement: From Club to Commons: https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/77098

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#EUEnlargement #europeanunion  #geopolitics  #democracy  #euvalues  #internationalrelations

Expanding Horizons: Lessons and Geopolitics of EU Enlargement with Prof. Veronica Anghel

In this episode of the European Dialogue, brought to you by the EU-VALUES Network, we welcome Prof. Meltem Müftüler-Baç, expert on Turkey-EU relations and external differentiated integration.

Drawing from her recent paper, “A Fragile Relationship: Turkey and the European Union Moving Beyond Membership with External Differentiated Integration” (2025), Meltem unpacks the nuanced and often tense dynamics shaping Turkey’s unique relationship with the EU beyond the traditional membership framework.

We explore key topics such as:
✅ What “external differentiated integration” is, and what it means for Turkey and the EU
✅ How Turkey’s selective adoption of EU rules challenges European values like democracy and the rule of law
✅ The EU’s approach to encouraging political reform in Turkey, and Ankara’s response
✅ The role of economic and trade ties in sustaining the relationship despite political deadlock
✅ How Turkey’s ties with the EU compare to other non-member European countries
✅ The prospects and pitfalls of this model as a long-term solution for Turkey-EU relations

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or SoundCloud! Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought of this episode - we would love to hear from you

📚 And to read more...: 
Muftuler Bac, M. (2024). A fragile relationship: Turkey and the European Union moving beyond membership with external differentiated integration. West European Politics: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01402382.2024.2442870

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A Fragile Partnership: Rethinking Turkey-EU Relations with Prof. Meltem Müftüler-Baç

Podcast Episode: Unravelling Member States' Politics: Inside the EU's Rule of Law Battles

In this episode of European Dialogue, part of the EU-VALUES Network podcast series, we sit down with Gisela Hernández, expert in European governance and rule of law enforcement in the European Union.

Drawing from her two recent research publications —
👉 “Turning Assertive? EU Rule of Law Enforcement in the Aftermath of the War in Ukraine” (2023)
👉 “Unravelling National Governments’ Positions on EU Rule of Law Enforcement” (2025) 
— both co-authored with Carlos Closa — Hernández unpacks how geopolitical shifts, political ideology, and national strategies are reshaping the EU’s internal governance and democracy.

We explore key topics such as:
✅ How the war in Ukraine influenced EU rule of law actions
✅ Why Hungary and other member states challenge EU enforcement
✅ How polarization and party politics impact EU unity
✅ What the future holds for European democracy, compliance, and strategic enforcement

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or SoundCloud!

📚 Read more:

Hernández, G., & Closa, C. (2023). Turning assertive? EU rule of law enforcement in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine. West European Politics, 47(4), 967–995. Read here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/ref/10.1080/01402382.2023.2268492?scroll=top

Hernández, G., & Closa, C. (2025). Unravelling National Governments’ Positions on EU Rule of Law Enforcement. Read here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13501763.2025.2451365?src=

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#EuropeanUnion #RuleOfLaw #DemocracyInEurope #EUPolitics #EUValues #EuropeanGovernance #EUCompliance #Geopolitics #MemberStates #DemocraticResilience #PoliticalScience #EuropeanIntegration #EUResearch #FutureOfEurope #Governance

Unravelling Member States' Politics: Inside the EU's Rule of Law Battles with Dr. Gisela Hernández

In this episode of the European Dialogue, brought to you by the EU-VALUES Network, sits down with Professor Elaine Fahey (City Law School, City St. Georges, University of London) to explore the fast-evolving landscape of EU–US cybersecurity law and policy. From shifting priorities in digital security to transatlantic tensions and cooperation, we discuss how global governance is being reshaped by technological threats, and by the political responses they provoke. 

We dive into Elaine's recent research, including:

🔹 The Evolution of EU–US Cybersecurity Law and Policy (2024): https://doi.org/10.1080/07036337.2024.2411240 
🔹 Democratic Leadership through Transatlantic Cooperation for Trade and Technology Reforms through the EU-US TTC Model? In: Petersmann, U. & Steinbach, A. (Eds.), Constitutionalism and Transnational Governance Failures. World Trade Institute Advanced Studies, 16. (pp. 279-307): https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004693722_012

We also discuss how cybercrime has evolved into broader strategic cybersecurity concerns, the contrasting EU and US approaches to digital sovereignty and internal security, and how the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is playing a role — albeit controversial — in this landscape.

We also ask:
- Are civil society and parliaments being left out of critical cyber governance decisions?
- Can the EU and US build a truly democratic framework for digital cooperation?
- What lies ahead for transatlantic leadership in a world shaped by AI, trade wars, and cyber risks?

For further reading, explore the European Union Studies Association (EUSA) for more scholarship on transatlantic relations and EU digital policy: https://www.eustudies.org/

🌐 Learn More About Our Work: EU-VALUES Website: www.eu-values.eu/

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#Cybersecurity #DigitalSovereignty #TransatlanticRelations #EUUS #DigitalPolicy #TechGovernance #CyberPolicy #TTC #DemocraticGovernance #Democracy #Euvalues

Who Leads in Cyberspace? Democratic Values and the EU–US Digital Future with Prof. Elaine Fahey

In this episode of the European Dialogue, brought to you by the EU-VALUES Network, we sit down with Sevda Kilicalp and Nils Luyten from PHILEA – the Philanthropy Europe Association to discuss how democracy in Europe is changing, and what role funders can play in defending and developing it.

We explore their latest work with the PHILEA Democracy Network by diving into the newly released '2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders', a timely and practical guide that speaks directly to the challenges and possibilities for philanthropy in today’s polarised political landscape.

Drawing on examples from across the EU, Nils and Sevda talk to:
🔹 How democratic backsliding often takes legal and incremental forms, not always dramatic ones
🔹 Why philanthropy is essential to democratic resilience and independent civic space
🔹 The deeper emotional and socio-economic drivers of polarisation and public disengagement
🔹 How younger generations are losing trust in democratic systems and what can be done about it
🔹 The challenge of building inclusive, shared narratives in a fragmented media environment

For more on PHILEA and its Democracy Network, visit: www.philea.eu
Read the full 2025 Democracy Briefer here: philea.eu/publications/2025-democracy-briefer-for-funders
You can also find out more about the reference to Hannah Arendt’s 1951 foundational insights into totalitarianism (e.g.: the erosion of truth, the exploitation of emotion and the breakdown of common sense) in many articles online, or a nice podcast if that is your favourite medium is: 
https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-xtm92-415961  


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#Democracy #Philanthropy #Europe #CivilSociety #RuleOfLaw #HannahArendt #Polarisation #Youth #Inclusion #Philea #EUVALUES #DemocraticGovernance #SocialTrust #DemocracyNetwork

From Backsliding to Building: Philanthropy’s Role in Europe’s Democratic Crisis – with PHILEA

🇪🇺 EU-VALUES Network Podcast: Expert insights on democracy, human rights, EU policies & global influence. Tune in & stay informed! 🎧 #EUPolitics #Democracy #HumanRights #Geopolitics

Friend Zone Forever? EU Decision-Making Autonomy & Third-Country Influence | Prof. Marja-Liisa Öberg

The European Dialogue by The EU-VALUES Network

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