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Democracy

Democracy

Democracy means the freedom to vote for whoever you want, in elections that are fairly conducted, with news coverage and comment from a media that can report the truth without fear of persecution. It also means the absence of corruption and nepotism and the existence of strong constitutional checks and balances including the independence of the judiciary. The Council of Europe strives to promote and protect these values throughout Europe, at all levels of government.

Council of Europe videos on democracy

European Heritage Days 2020
2'32"Watch now
Celebrating our diverse and common European culture
18 September 2020
Council of Europe Strasbourg
European Day of Justice 2019
2'41"Watch now
Christos Giakoumopoulos
25 October 2019
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Imagine a world without corruption!
0'30"Watch now
20 years fighting one of Europe's biggest scourges
17 June 2019
Council of Europe Strasbourg
#NotInMyParliament
1'30"Watch now
Study reveals widespread sexism and violence against women in parliaments
1 March 2019
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Yascha Mounk: how to save liberal democracy
7'50"Watch now
Citizens should not rely on politicians but get involved themselves
19 September 2018
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Education for democracy and human rights
4'14"Watch now
A ten step plan for success
5 September 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Free and fair elections
3'37"Watch now
The basis for our democratic system is under threat
29 August 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Freedom of expression on the Internet
4'09"Watch now
Should there be any limits?
20 May 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Safety of journalists in Europe
3'45"Watch now
Are we doing enough to protect them?
19 April 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
The fight against populism
3'54"Watch now
What is it and how can it be combatted?
19 May 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Human rights perspectives from Harry Wu
10'19"Watch now
Chinese campaigner spent 19 years in forced labour camps
22 November 2012
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Free expression on the Internet
4'09"Watch now
Should there be any limits?
15 June 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Should terrorists have the right to free speech?
9'18"Watch now
Interview with Nicolas Hervieux
24 January 2016
Council of Europe Strasbourg
How to counter the Alt-Right threat
5'55"Watch now
Analysis from Professor Matthew Feldman
28 April 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Unwarranted interference with journalists
2'08"Watch now
New survey on threats to media freedom in Europe
4 April 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Interview with Professor Marilyn Clark
8'03"Watch now
Journalists under pressure: survey on unwarranted interference
14 April 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Protecting Democracy in the Digital Age
4'10"Watch now
Interview with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger
03 April 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
The dangers of populism
23'14"Watch now
Interview with Jan-Werner Müller
28 February 2017
Council of Europe Strasbourg
Once upon a time – Local Democracy!
3'38"Watch now
Local government responds better to local needs
4 August 2014
Council of Europe Strasbourg

 

Guest videos on democracy

Make a difference with your vote
1'00"Watch now
Don't be lazy - drop your ballot paper in the box!
5 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Portugal
Danger Ahead - beware of populism!
1'00Watch now
Don't trust politicians with simple solutions that divide societies
11 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Portugal
Don't let the truth be torn apart!
1'00"Watch now
Stand up for media freedom!
16 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Portugal
Fight against Abstention!
1'00"Watch now
Every ballot counts - may sure you vote!
20 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Portugal
Play Democracy!
1'00Watch now
Be a democratic actor, not a puppet!
30 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Portugal
Populism is just a fairy tale
1'00"Watch now
Not even a knight in shining armour can save you!
4 June 2018
Universidade Lusófona Lisbon, Strasbourg
Separation of Powers
2'09"Watch now
Why they are a key feature of any democracy
21 August 2017
Explainity Hamburg
Populism
3'31"Watch now
What does it mean and why it is dangerous for democracy?
22 August 2017
Explainity Hamburg
What is a constitution?
6'26"Watch now
How constitutions work
10 September 2014
International IDEA Stockholm
Why do consitutions matter?
6'28"Watch now
What do constitutions do?
18 September 2014
International IDEA Stockholm
Human Rights
8'40"Watch now
Know your human rights
22 January 2011
WissensWerte Berlin
What do we really know about them?
3'35"Watch now
Transparency in multinational corporations
22 March 2015
Transparency International Berlin
When I grow up...
0'39"Watch now
Threats faced by journalists worldwide
26 February 2017
Reporters Sans Frontières Paris
Fighting corruption, easily explained
2'09"Watch now
What is corruption and what are its consequences?
1 September 2010
Explainity Hamburg
Freedom of Expression easily explained
2'54"Watch now
What is freedom of expcession and why does it matter?
3 September 2014
Explainity Hamburg

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