Democracy is Dead. Long Live Democracy! Jon Alexander on the Citizen Age

In this powerful session from NEXT24 in Hamburg, Jon Alexander, author of CITIZENS: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us, advocates for a transformative shift from the consumer age to the citizen age. Alexander explores why the prevailing narrative of people as mere consumers limits true progress, and argues that only by embracing a participatory citizen mindset can we build a resilient and inclusive future. Alexander illustrates the potential of a “citizen story,” sharing examples from Ireland’s citizens’ assemblies to Nigeria’s crowdsourced infrastructure, each showing how empowering citizens to engage can restore trust and cooperation. He also warns of the dangers in neglecting this change, pointing to the divisive narratives that can arise when people feel excluded. With practical insights and real-world cases, Alexander reveals how organisations and leaders can foster environments for true participation, shifting from passive feedback to genuine engagement. Join us to discover how we can all play a part in shaping a revitalised, democratic society.

In addition to this talk, there is also an article on our blog:

Jon Alexander: Democracy is dead, long live Democracy!


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