Topic 1 – “Who Accepts the Invitation?”

“Who Accepts the Invitation?”

This assignment explores how democratic participation depends not only on formal rights, but on whether people feel invited, represented, and respected. Using a simple participation scenario, you will reflect on how democratic ideals interact with social inequality, narratives, and trust, drawing on concepts from Modules 1 and 2.

Imagine that a public authority is organizing an online public forum on a controversial policy issue (e.g. climate policy, migration, urban development, public safety). Participation is voluntary. You are not asked to design a policy solution, but to analyze who is likely to feel included — and who may feel excluded — from such a democratic invitation. The assignment is meant for an individual or a small group of 2-4 people and text shouldn’t exceed 400 words.

Step 1: Choose a Target Group

Select one of the following groups (or one assigned to you):

• University-educated professionals
• Blue-collar workers
• Migrants with limited language proficiency
• Parents with small children
• Rural seniors
• Church-goers
• Military veterans
• Small business owners

Briefly describe (2–3 sentences):

• why this group might feel motivated to participate
• why this group might feel reluctant or excluded

Step 2: Draft the Invitation

Write a two-sentence invitation message aimed specifically at your chosen group.

Consider:

• tone (formal, informal, reassuring, empowering)
• framing of purpose (why participate?)
• accessibility (language, time, format)
• trust and legitimacy

There is no “correct” message — the goal is to make assumptions visible.

Step 3: Reflect on Democratic Assumptions

Answer briefly:

• What assumptions about democracy and participation are built into your invitation?
• Which elements of liberal democracy (e.g. equality, pluralism, inclusion) does it rely on?

Use at least one concept from Module 1 (democracy, liberal democracy, illiberal risk).

Step 4: Inclusion, Exclusion, and Illiberal Risk

Reflect on the limits of your invitation:

• Who might still feel excluded, mistrustful, or indifferent?
• What kind of democratic vulnerability does this reveal?
  (e.g. democratic dissatisfaction, narrative exclusion, polarization)

Explain why this matters for understanding illiberal dynamics, even in democratic systems.

Optional Reflection:

What did this exercise help you understand more clearly about:

• democracy as an ideal vs democracy as lived experience?
• the difference between formal inclusion and perceived inclusion?