How can public administrations become more responsive to citizens’ needs? What role does civic participation play in strengthening democracy across Europe? And what are the potential risks behind administrative flexibility? These are some of the key questions that will be addressed during the PhD seminar on The Responsive State in the EU, taking place on Friday, May 16 at 3:00 PM, in the Aula Magna of Palazzo Boileau, Pisa.
The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Lars Vinther Johannsen of the University of Aarhus, Academic Chair of the Democracy Hub at Circle U, and a member of the ProStEUVa teaching staff. The event is part of the PhD programme in Theory of fundamental rights, Constitutional Justice, Comparative Law, Law and Religion and is open to all PhD students from Circle U. partner universities.
Professor Johannsen will examine how the concept of responsiveness – now central to debates on transparency, justice, and the effectiveness of governance – is significantly shaping public administration across the European Union. The seminar will explore how greater involvement of civil society and associations in decision-making processes, through consultation and co-implementation, can make institutions more transparent, efficient, and responsive to citizens’ needs. At the same time, it will reflect on the potential risks: when combined with administrative flexibility, responsiveness may challenge core principles such as impartiality and equality, raising concerns about particularism and corruption. Using empirical data from post-communist countries and comparative research, the discussion will also address how public officials’ attitudes – shaped by their institutional and organizational contexts – affect their approach to participation, rules, and accountability.
The event will be introduced and chaired by Prof. Angioletta Sperti of the University of Pisa, ProStEUVa coordinator and Academic Chair in the Circle U. Knowledge Hub on Democracy.
For those unable to attend in person, you can participate remotely by following this link.
