The EU-VALUES Newsletter - Issue 4

Welcome to the fourth edition of the EU-VALUES Newsletter! In this issue, we delve into the European Union’s instruments to promote and protect democracy. We examine tools aimed at reinforcing democratic values, safeguarding the rule of law, defending human rights and other strategic measures implemented by the EU. Additionally, we recommend thought-provoking literature on these topics and share insights from our recent activities, such as podcasts, webinars, and upcoming journal and blog publication dates.

Since its creation, the EU has defended democratic values as a fundamental part of its identity, viewing them as both a principle and an objective in its external relations. This commitment is evident not only in the active protection of democratic values within member states but also in their international promotion. However, recent challenges have limited the effectiveness of its policies in combating democratic backsliding. Dr. Tom Theuns in Protecting Democracy in Europe: Pluralism, Autocracy, and the Future of the EU emphasises that this situation reveals some of the EU's shortcomings in implementing effective measures to safeguard democracy. Learn more about this book in our most recent EU-VALUES webinar with Dr. Tom Theuns and Prof. Vivien A. Schmidt.

A slightly different perspective is offered in ‘Democracy despite Itself: Liberal Constitutionalism and Militant Democracy’ by Prof. Benjamin A. Schupmann, which presents a more optimistic outlook. It argues that despite the evident failures and limitations of democracy, it continues to thrive and adapt to the modern world. Furthermore, to the surprise of many, issues like populism and political fragmentation do not weaken democratic institutions but often strengthen them. This book will be discussed in one of our upcoming webinars on March 11th. Details below!

To address democratic backsliding and protect the core values of democracy, the EU relies on various instruments, with sanctions and conditionality being two key tools both within and outside its borders. Prof. Peter Becker shows in his article (2024) that conditionality is a long-standing instrument of the EU which has been developed as a hard mode of soft governance. Recent examples of this mechanism's application include countries like Poland and Hungary. For example, Dr. Adam Holesch and Prof. Clara Portela examine in their article (2024), the effectiveness of EU sanctions, showing that besides the Art. 7 TEU procedure and infringement procedures, the EU also uses funding conditionality, which is, however – up to now- only partially effective. A whole special issue on the topic on Countering Democratic Backsliding, has been recently published in the Journal of European Public Policy (2025), with an introduction on new research directions in this field by Prof. Michael Blauberger, Prof. Daniel Naurin, Prof. Ulrich Sedelmeier and Prof. Natasha Wunsch. 

The perception of the rule of law also affects the stability of democracy, as it directly influences citizen support for EU initiatives to defend democratic values. As Prof. Jerg Gutmann, Prof. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, and Prof. Stefan Voigtpoint out in How do citizens define and value the rule of law? (2023), without a positive perception of the rule of law, both sanctions and conditionality may be less effective, thus limiting the impact of any measures.

🚨 Mark Your Calendars for Our Next Event 🚨

In addition to safeguarding democracy, the EU is actively engaged in promoting it on a global scale. Two key instruments play a central role in this effort: The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and The European Foundation for Democracy (EFD). The EIDHR is the EU’s primary tool for proactively advancing democracy. Rather than relying solely on government-to-government conditionality, it provides direct support to national non-governmental actors engaged in political transitions, with a strong emphasis on democratic development. 

Similarly, the EFD was established to address challenges in the EU’s neighbourhood, particularly in complex political contexts where traditional democratisation policies have been less effective—such as in Belarus and Ukraine. A complementary tool in this context is the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). This instrument enhances the EU’s global presence and efficiency by integrating development goals with external policies, ultimately strengthening the EU’s influence and coherence while promoting European values, including democracy.

Beyond these instruments, the EU also seeks to promote its values in the development of international institutions. The Multilateral Investment Court (MIC) represents a structural reform proposal led by the EU, aiming to transform the current investment dispute resolution system, with a view to enhance the rule of law in international investment law. As Prof. Ivana Damjanovic (2024) explains in our latest EU-VALUES Talks video, the current system of investment dispute settlement - which is based on investment treaty arbitration - has faced criticism due to its  limitations, such as legal fragmentation, lack of transparency in the process and limited sovereignty of States. This has ultimately been perceived as undermining democracy. For more, check out Ivana’s explainer video here: 

The EU-VALUES Network International Conference - Santiago, Chile

From December 4–7, 2024, the EU-VALUES Network hosted its first International Conference at the Instituto de Estudios Internacionales in Santiago, Chile. Academics, policymakers and network members alike gathered at this fantastic three day event, with panels, workshops, and discussions on democracy, rule of law, gender policy, migration, and EU-Latin America relations. Highlights included keynote speeches by experts like Prof. Esther Barbé, as well as roundtable discussions on democratic backsliding and foreign policy. The conference concluded with a reflective visit to the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, tying the week’s themes to Chile’s history of democracy and human rights. Thanks to the IEI in Chile for an excellent event. 

🎙️ The European Dialogue Podcast

Brought to you by the EU-VALUES Network, our podcast series explores the core values, principles, and policies that define the EU and its influence on the global stage. With 2025 already shaping up to be a pivotal year, we recommend Episode 5 is a must-listen!

We also had the pleasure of hearing from:

• Prof. Andrea Ribiero Hoffmann on her co-edited book, ‘Climate Change in Regional Perspective’.

• Prof. Marja-Liisa Öberg on her article ‘Friend Zone Forever? The Essence of and Justifications for the EU’s Decision-Making Autonomy’.

• Prof. Esther Barbé on ‘Chasing Equality: The Evolution of Gender Equality in the EU’.

Have a podcast idea you’d like to share? We want to hear from you — reach out to: euvalues@ibei.org

✍️ EU-VALUES Blog Series

Explore the latest ideas and insights from the EU-VALUES Network on our blog! Over the past quarter, our blogs have explored critical topics at the intersection of politics, democracy, and international relations, including: 

• How to reconcile countering FIMI and protecting democratic values: the case of France: Prof. Agnieszka K. Cianciara explores the delicate balance between combating foreign information manipulation and safeguarding democratic values in France. As the government strengthens its defences against disinformation, concerns arise over potential restrictions on free speech and political dissent, raising questions about the EU’s commitment to democratic principles. 

• The Undermining of Values at Europe’s Eastern Border: Dr. Stephen Phillips looks at how the EU’s double standards expose a selective approach to solidarity, where political interests often override the EU’s proclaimed commitment to universal human dignity. 

• Universities and Democracy in the Face of Libertarian Confrontation: Argentina 2024: Dr. Sebastián Fuentes discusses how Argentina's libertarian government, led by President Javier Milei, has targeted public universities with budget cuts and autonomy attacks. Mass protests in 2024 highlighted the enduring importance of universities to democracy and social mobility. 

• Science Fiction, the Prophecies of Artificial Intelligence, and the Transformation of Liberal Democracy: Sascha Hannig Núñez explores how AI is transforming governance and democracy. Combining her expertise as a researcher and sci-fi writer, she highlights ethical challenges and calls for values-driven approaches to navigate these changes. 

• Implications of the 2024 European Parliament Election and the Rise of Right-Wing Parties for ASEAN’s Multiculturalism and International Relations: Dr. Rizki Damayanti examines how Europe’s far-right populism mirrors ASEAN’s challenges with migration and multiculturalism, emphasizing lessons in inclusivity and cooperation to strengthen democracy.

• Lost at Sea: EU Values and the Southern Neighbourhood by Prof. Magnus Killander as featured.

EU-VALUES Webinar Series

Over the past few months, we have hosted many engaging and thought-provoking webinars, now available to watch on-demand. If you found the presentations insightful, we would love for you to share them with your networks to help us expand our reach and spark even more impactful conversations!

• Protecting Democracy in Europe: Pluralism, Autocracy, and the Future of the EU with Dr. Tom Theuns and Prof. Vivien A. Schmidt. Dr. Theuns shared insights from his book, exploring rising autocracy, threats to pluralism, and governance tensions within the EU. Prof. Schmidt provided expert reflections, deepening the discussion on safeguarding democracy in Europe. 

• Europeanization and Informal Networks of Southeastern Europe with Dr. Alexander Mesarovich and Prof. Irena Petrovic. This session highlighted Dr. Mesarovich’s work on the influence of informal elite networks in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia on EU accession, revealing the hidden power of social ties in shaping reforms. 

• Rethinking Corruption with Prof. Alina Mungiu-Pippidi and Prof. Brigitte Unger. This engaging webinar explored innovative tools for assessing and predicting corruption risk, governance reform, and the evolving landscape of corruption studies, drawing on Prof. Mungiu-Pippidi’s recent book.

Catch up on these discussions for deeper insights into Europe’s evolving political landscape when it suits you here:

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Thank you for reading this quarter’s round-up. We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback - do get in touch. Until next time, take care and stay informed!