REDIRECT had the opportunity to present a paper at the CIAS 16th International Workshop in Budapest, focusing on how citizens evaluate crisis governance when democratic norms and effective decision-making appear to be in tension. The paper by Zsófia Papp, titled The Efficiency–Democracy Paradox: Public Tolerance for Emergency Measures in Hungary, Italy, and Norway, explored public attitudes towards emergency measures and the extent to which democratic concerns persist under conditions of crisis.
The presentation highlighted several important findings. Institutional safeguards—such as elections and parliamentary oversight—remain highly valued even during emergencies. Limiting democratic procedures did not translate into greater perceived efficiency gains, while lockdown-type measures were often interpreted less as signs of democratic backsliding and more as indicators of state capacity. Strikingly, the study also found a high degree of normative consensus across the political spectrum, and economic compensation did not offset citizens’ concerns about democratic norm violations.
Overall, the discussion offered an important opportunity to reflect on a central issue for contemporary democracies: whether citizens are willing to trade democracy for efficiency in times of crisis. The findings suggest that, even under pressure, democratic norms retain strong public value and are not easily set aside in exchange for more effective governance.
Date: 06/05/2026
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Event: CIAS 16th International Workshop
#Democracy #CrisisGovernance #EmergencyPolitics #PoliticalRepresentation #DemocraticNorms #REDIRECT