Panel discussion: "The Broken Promise of the Internet: Democracy and Digital Power at a Critical Juncture?"

Panel discussants: 
Prof. Dr. Robin Mansell (Professor emerita, London School of Economics), 
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Thiel (Universität Erfurt) and 
Prof. Dr. Jamal Shahin (Brussels School of Governance / University of Amsterdam / United Nations University-CRIS)

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Jeanette Hofmann

In the last decade, digitalisation research has had to come to terms with many intellectual U-turns. This concerns, not least, the relationship between digitalisation and democracy. Whereas the Internet was once regarded as a resource for self‑determination, the power of a handful of tech monopolies is now seen as the greatest threat to democracy’s promise of freedom. As a consequence, the digital space is increasingly subject to regulation and control, often with the promise of protecting democratic rights and freedoms. Were our hopes at the time too high? Did we overlook important turning points and critical junctures? What lessons should we draw from these observations for our research, but also for our expectations about the development of democracy and its capacity for self‑repair?

The research group 'Politics of Digitalisation' has accompanied and commented on the emergence and transformation of digital policy for more than 10 years. We are taking the conclusion of the research group as an opportunity to take stock. With our panel on "Digital Power and Democratic Futures: Critical Perspectives on Governance in the Digital Age" we want to discuss the evaluation of and the lessons learned from digital development with three researchers who have made significant contributions to the European perspective on this process: 

Robin Mansell is one of the most important international experts in Media and Communications Regulation and Policy. The focus of her research is on digital platforms, data and information and economic impacts of digital technology innovation. In 2025, she was the scientific director of the international Observatory on Information and Democracy.

Thorsten Thiel's research links political theory to democratic change in the digital age. He has published on digital sovereignty, the transformation of the political public sphere and the digital constellation. His most recent article discusses AI and democratic participation.

Jamal Shahin specialises on political organisation and their influence on effectiveness and legitimacy in global and transnational governance. His interdisciplinary research agenda reaches from digital sovereignty and global internet governance to political participation in democratic systems and EU governance. 

Together with our panelists, we want to take a look back at the past few years of digital governance, but also speculate on possible future developments.  

The panel discussion will be followed by a reception in the WZB-Wintergarten, where we wish to raise a glass with friends and colleagues to celebrate the successful work of our research group, which is coming to an end after 13 years, as well as the retirement of Jeanette Hofmann at the end of May.

We warmly invite all interested participants to attend the panel discussion and join us afterwards for a reception and a farewell toast. Please register here.