| DEMOCRACY:
A CITIZEN PERSPECTIVE An Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence Research leader in charge: Professor Lauri Karvonen Period of Operation: 1.1.2006-31.12.2014 Sites of research: Åbo Akademi in Åbo and Vasa D:CE has been elected as one of the four Centres of Excellence at Åbo Akademi University for the period of 2010-2014. The Rector of Åbo Akademi made a decision on October 5th. All in all, 27 applications were submitted in March and a shortlist of 12 applications was evaluated by an international panel of distinguished professors from a variety of disciplines. The panel recommended four Centres to be funded, a recommendation which the Rector followed. Among the four Centres are two current Centres of Excellence, D:CE being one of them. Two Centres are new. The level of additional funding will be substantial. An updated research proposal as well as report on what has been achieved by D:CE during the first years of operation can be accessed here. D:CE Newsletter 4 D:CE Newsletter 3 D:CE Newsletter 2 D:CE Newsletter 1 The
research carried out within the realm of
the Centre examines the development of modern democracy from the point
of view
of the citizen. It probes the notion that modern democracy has, as a
result a
fundamental social transformation during recent decades, left its
earlier
class- and party-based forms and developed into an Audience Democracy. By combining an interdisciplinary approach
with the possibilities offered by information technology and new
methods, it
aims at an analysis which is both comprehensive and innovative. As it
brings
together scholars from five different disciplines in Åbo and Vasa
the Centre
bridges both disciplinary and geographical boundaries.
The objectives of the project can be summarized in the form of two broad research questions:
The
first research question will be addressed
along four thematic dimensions: Political Participation, Public
Institutions,
Media, and Individual, Group and Society. Under each theme, research is
structured according to three central aspects: Citizens, Channels and
Political
System. Both syntheses of earlier research and new studies will be
presented.
Theoretically formulated hypotheses are consistently examined with the
aid of
systematic empirical data. The research is comparative throughout and
based on
quantitative data, systematic content analyses and comparative case
studies.
In order to answer the second question, a platform for several kinds of experimental studies will be constructed. This Virtual Polity simulates a real-life society and will supply tools for deliberation among citizens, between the people and their representatives and within the political elite. It will also allow for testing of various mechanisms for electronic governance. Approximately forty scholars representing the participating institutions as well as international partner institutions will carry out research connected to the Centre. Its total funding is estimated at five million Euros. |
Frontpage Steering Group Advisory Board News and events Publications Internal Information Associated institutions Kansalaiskeskustelu Medborgardiskussion Experiment on democratic deliberation |
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