On September 10th, TASC gathered a diverse group representing government, business, civil society, media, and community groups to discuss challenges to Irish democracy and actions we could take to address these threats. Following this engaging dialogue, Minister Eamon Ryan offered a keynote address breaking down his vision for the future of democracy in Ireland and Europe.
This workshop marks another step in TASC’s long-held interest in sustaining democracy. Since its foundation in 2001, TASC has produced toolkits on open government and deliberative democracy and published research analysing pressures facing civil society, causes of political disaffection, and ways to improve social inclusion.
Leveraging TASC’s expertise and the insights gathered during September’s workshop, these themes illustrate the key concerns of thought leaders representing a wide array of interests, providing a framework for further dialogue.
1. Intentionality is essential to fostering productive dialogues.
Creating meaningful conversations around complex, emotionally charged topics requires intentionality. To foster such dialogue, we deliberately designed an environment that encouraged engagement across diverse groups, celebrated curiosity, and embraced uncertainty. By doing so, we cultivated a space where participants could not only explore ideas of democracy but also reflect on their own understanding.
Central to this approach was the Warm Data Workshop, facilitated by Kathryn McCabe. This innovative method encouraged small group discussions, allowing for dynamic and democratic conversations. Participants shared their lived experiences, bringing their unique contexts into conversation with others. This cross-contextual sharing deepened understanding of systemic issues and promoted exchanges between groups that might not typically engage in such in-depth dialogue.
By moving beyond surface-level responses, the Warm Data process opened a space for authentic curiosity and exploration. As one participant reflected, “The method sparked my curiosity, and I came into the conversations with less of an ‘I know’ and more of an ‘I wonder.’” This shift from certainty to curiosity is exactly what enables richer, more open dialogues that lead to new insights and broader perspectives.
2. Understanding what “democracy” is requires complex thought and nuanced discussion.
In the millennia since its establishment in Ancient Greece, “democracy” has come to represent far more than the act of casting a vote. Today it represents an inclusive society, one in which power is dispersed regardless of income, gender, age, ethnicity, and education. Understanding this complex, evolving nature is essential to find ways to improve democratic resilience in the face of threats.
Democracy is not static, its ideals frozen in amber reflecting the values of a bygone time. Instead, it responds to its environment, adapting to changing needs and norms. One participant likened democracy to a tiger in a forest, requiring a protective and interdependent environment to thrive. They used this metaphor to illustrate the intricate balance and mutual reliance needed to sustain a healthy democratic system. Just as species in an ecosystem rely on each other, so too must the diverse elements of society work together to uphold democratic values.
Dignity and inclusion are essential to maintaining this societal balance. Too often, marginalised groups in our society are overlooked, with participants highlighting the barriers some communities face in accessing fair employment and educational opportunities. Young people, for example, feel unheard within traditional democratic processes. To fill this void, they may seek out community on social media – an environment that may seem welcoming but can damage mental health and foster opportunities for radicalisation and far-right recruitment. This shift underscores the need for democracy to evolve and embrace more inclusive structures that foster equality and participation for all, addressing the varying needs across generations and communities.
3. The greatest threat to democracy is complacency.
Mike Jennings, TASC’s Board Chair, opened the session with a stark warning: the greatest challenge to democracy isn’t the far right or online misinformation, but complacency. Indifference, unawareness, and a lack of vigilance leave democracy vulnerable to attack. In room with “a wonderful collection of people who care actively and work actively for democracy in all its manifestations,” there is still a critical need to deeply assess the fragility of modern democracy and identify pathways towards greater resilience.
This complacency has allowed a range of threats to quietly undermine Ireland’s democratic foundations. Once seemingly insulated from the far-right movements sweeping across Europe and America, Ireland now faces a growing threat. Far-right groups have exploited economic insecurity and feelings of voicelessness, embedding their ideology into vulnerable working-class communities. Social media has proven a potent tool for these groups, allowing them to target disillusioned youth with divisive messaging. By promoting an agenda that undermines progressive and inclusive values, the far-right poses a real and present danger to Irish democracy.
Exacerbating this threat is the widespread lack of understanding about how democracy and the legislative process work. Many communities feel disconnected from the system and powerless to affect change, a void the far-right has been quick to exploit. Policy failures, deprivation, and the absence of meaningful community consultation only deepen the frustration and division, feeding the far-right’s harmful narrative and widening social divides.
Moreover, the language used to engage communities plays a critical role in shaping their connection to democratic processes. Far-right rhetoric, often simple and emotionally charged, resonates more effectively than the distant, technical language that can alienate the public. In his keynote address, Minister Eamon Ryan noted the relationship between social media algorithms and societal division. To counter this trend, democracy must be redefined through inclusive, accessible, and context-specific communication, ensuring that all voices are heard, particularly in addressing complex issues like inequality and domestic violence.
Other critical threats also loom, including rising mistrust in government and media, growing inequality, and uncontrolled technological development. Far-right protests are becoming more visible, and their once-fringe positions are entering mainstream discourse. Internationally, democracy faces repression of civil society and the erosion of freedoms. In Ireland, income insecurity further weakens democratic trust. Complacency, if left unchecked, will allow these threats to deepen, leaving democracy even more vulnerable to attack.
4. Irish NGOs play a critical but underappreciated role in Irish democracy.
Speakers highlighted the challenges facing the NGO sector concerning democracy, emphasizing the complex relationship between NGOs, the state, and service provision. NGOs often find themselves caught between delivering essential services and critiquing policies, with state funders sometimes threatening to cut funding if they are too critical. This creates a difficult situation for NGOs advocating for vulnerable communities while maintaining independence.
The speakers called for NGOs to reflect on their roles, responsibilities, and funding constraints, advocating for greater independence and moral courage in their advocacy work. They stressed the need for civil society to engage critically with the government as a partner rather than an adversary, and to collectively push for more freedom to critique policies. Strengthening democracy requires a more proactive stance from NGOs and reforms in sectors such as media, politics, and civil society organizations. Some participants even suggested a strike to highlight the critical role of civil society in supporting the state.
5. The way we talk about democracy matters.
Far-right rhetoric often succeeds because it taps into emotional, straightforward language that resonates with people’s immediate frustrations and concerns. Participants at the workshop emphasized how democratic institutions and civil society organizations frequently fall short in their communication efforts. Technical jargon or distant, abstract policy discussions can alienate the very communities they are meant to engage. In contrast, the far-right's messaging is often simple, direct, and emotionally charged, making it easier to connect with people’s daily realities.
To counter this, there is a need to redefine how democracy communicates with the public. This involves using more inclusive, accessible, and context-specific language that speaks to people’s lived experiences and provides clear pathways for involvement in democratic processes. The importance of intersectionality in communication was also highlighted—different communities experience democracy differently, and addressing issues like domestic violence, economic inequality, or environmental degradation requires tailored messaging that resonates across multiple contexts. By bridging these gaps in communication, democratic institutions can foster greater public trust and participation.
6, A strong vision for the future is needed to counter complacency and proactively protect democracy.
A recurring theme in the workshop was the absence of visionary leadership in Irish democracy. Current debates often focus on addressing immediate crises, leaving little room for conversations about the long-term direction of society. This lack of a forward-looking, collective vision weakens democracy's appeal, especially for younger generations who feel increasingly disconnected from the political system. Participants emphasized the need for leaders who can inspire a shared sense of purpose, drawing people together to work toward a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.
To achieve this, civil society must take a more proactive role in shaping the future of democracy. This involves critiquing policies and pushing for reforms across sectors like media, politics, and the NGO space. Civil society organizations need greater independence from state funding to critique government actions without fear of retaliation, ensuring that democratic principles are upheld. Additionally, participants advocated for tools like scorecards to assess government performance, particularly on issues affecting younger generations. Such tools would improve transparency and accountability, while more nuanced methods of gauging public opinion would provide a clearer, more accurate picture of societal needs.
By articulating a collective vision for the future and strengthening mechanisms for public engagement and government accountability, civil society can help reinforce democratic structures. This proactive approach would offer an inspiring alternative to the divisive rhetoric of far-right movements, giving people a common goal to rally behind and fostering long-term democratic resilience.
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