The Future of Democracy: A Struggle for Freedom and the Authority of Diversity 

 

Professor of Communication and member of the Lassalle Institute management Peter Stücheli-Herlach emphasizes that the future of democracy remains promising as long as humanity persists, because democracy is fundamentally tied to human coexistence. However, this future is not guaranteed, especially given the rise of autocratic powers, which challenge the very essence of democratic systems. Democracy thrives when people resist domination and seek to make their own decisions, even when their preferences differ from others. Thus, democracy is challenging and requires the development of appropriate communication skills.  

 

What future does democracy have considering the rise of authoritarian powers? 

Democracy has a great future as long as mankind will exist. Because democracy is the genuine way of human cohabitation. Having said this, it is obvious that this future will not be an easy one, simply because human cohabitation isn’t easy at all. For instance, democracy evolves to the extent that people want to resist the will and the strategies of individuals who try to dominate all the others. Humans are capable to reflect and decide on their own preferences and opinions. But simultaneously, they are dependent on whether others share their preferences or at least consider and respect the obvious diversity of preferences in a given social plenum.  

 

The possibility to elect or replace authorities 

Thus, democracy isn’t the total renouncement of authority at all. It means rather the possibility of choosing and, if needed, of replacing an authority. Thus, democracy means the permanent and unconditional negotiation of the common good as well as the active protection of it against all hazards. Accordingly, democracy is the opposite of autocracy, but not of authority. It could be said that democracy is the authority of diversity. Therefore, it cannot flourish without a constitutional state and its rule of law. 

 

Based on your experience, what promotes and what hinders democratic decision-making? 

First and foremost, the fundamental freedoms are crucial, of course. But people should be capable of handling this freedom and pursue their common happiness. This requires basic knowledge about society, competencies in communication as well as a sense of responsibility. Just currently, we realize that scientific knowledge is rapidly developing, and that means, media and culture of communication are revolutionized. Furthermore, moral values are challenged.  

 

Democratic education and improved communication skills 

Thus, to promote democratic decision-making and to make it possible in the future, major efforts for democratic education and for the development of communication skills are needed. This does not apply only for mass education, but especially also for professional development in all public sectors. 

 

Are democratic decisions always truly good decisions? 

Now, not at all. But they are negotiable and correctable, those are their main features. As you can see in Switzerland, in one of the most highly developed semi-direct democracies in the world, voters not always support the parties they have elected if they have to decide on issues in referendums. 

How does decision-making practice in business differ from that in politics? What can and should both sides learn from each other? 

The two practices can and should complement each other. Decision-making in complex company structures requires the practices of governance, bargaining, lobbying and alliancing, while democratically governed organizations such as public-owned companies or public administration also must be managed like a “business” to some extent. Thus, decision-makers should be aware of their different roles and should be able to change perspectives. Governance usually focuses on longer periods of time than organizational management. But both is needed, as the history of so far successful democracies such as the US or Switzerland shows. 

 

 

Peter Stücheli-Herlach is professor for political and organizational communication at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and member of the Lassalle-Institute. Recently, he published a book on the professionalization of political communication in Switzerland, together with colleagues (Stücheli-Herlach, P., Rösli, St., Novak, M., 2024, Praxis politischer Kommunikation: Wege der Professionalisierung in der Schweiz, Nomos, eBook, open access). He can be reached via peter.stuecheli@lassalle-institut.org or his website, where you take a better look at his work.  

 

 

Interview: Theo Haas