The State of the European Union. The European Parliament faces its most important elections yet

PORTUGAL. UNCERTAINTY AND DIVERSITY 43 no value if not part of an overarching whole. Democracy and freedom have therefore re- turned to the top of the agenda as items requir- ing urgent attention. Our fundamental rights – including subjective and social rights – are the cornerstone of this democracy and freedom, and we are now progressing towards a new generation of rights that link personal dignity to the safeguarding of cohesive and sustainable human development. Democracy must be based on inclusive citizenship, respect for hu- man dignity, individuality and community open- ness, and must aim at fostering a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence as well as a per- manent capacity for conflict resolution. Political and legal thought converge and complement one another on this point. The risks we now face are the weakening of the rule of law and the consequent fragmentation of society. If power is not limited and controlled by the law, society is at risk of ineffectiveness and centrali- sation. Voting is not enough, and neither are formal demonstrations of will. Participation is vital, but not sufficient. We need effective, le- gitimate mediating institutions that respect equal freedom and free equality. While we can create mechanisms to allow consultation with citizens in an instant through social networks and digital solutions, this still is not democracy. Democracy demands time and reflection if it is to evade the tyranny of the immediate and the majority that arises from manipulation and demagoguery. In our increasingly complex world, the smokescreen cast by reductive opin- ions allows manipulative forces to thrive and threatens individual freedom, as evidenced through the surge in post-truth ideas and the fake news phenomenon. The figure of the “si- lent majority” is invoked to conceal the need for our democracy to promote informed, carefully considered decisions. The Brexit narrative is a prime example of the effect that a lack of po- litical guidance and democratic mediation can have, and shows how these factors can lead us down dangerous paths. Inclusion, legitimacy and responsibility Is there an acceptable alternative for representa- tive democracy? Time and reflection necessitate diversity and dialogue across opposing factions. Individual freedom, mutual respect and social cohesion must be strengthened and implement- ed in line with the rule of law and democracy. As we discuss the collapse of models, notably the social contract that has persisted since the end of the Second World War, we should recall the importance attributed by Italian philosopher Norberto Bobbio to the need to understand what must changes and what must be pre- served. We must work towards freedom with a social conscience, active citizenship and a cul- ture of peace. Our common memory is the source of our teachings and wisdom. What can we do in this world fraught with danger? We must remain steadfast in our defence of diver- sity, pluralism and the separation and limitation of powers. Citizen representation and participa- tion – suffrage and the right to exercise that suffrage – are therefore two sides of the same coin. Pierre Rosanvallon once said that populism thrives when actions are guided by feelings of rejection rather than of belonging. The power of a mediation system in which everyone has a place must be acknowledged – a point raised by those who feel capable of participating but have no voice. In addition to representation, there is an immutable responsibility to uphold accountability and the legitimacy of suffrage. Only the legitimacy of suffrage can ensure syn- ergy between representation and participation,