Topic 7 — Case Study: Liberec — Depolarizing Through Deliberation
In September 2025, political scientists from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, in collaboration with Participation Factory and the Center for Public Opinion Research (CVVM), organized Liberec’s first forum of ideological opponents. This event was conducted under the auspices of the City of Liberec and as part of the European Commission–funded HORIZON project “Neo-Authoritarianisms in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response” (AuthLIB), which investigates populism, illiberalism, and political polarization in Europe.
The forum aimed to test whether citizens could shift their attitudes on pressing social issues through structured deliberation, balanced information, and facilitated dialogue with ideological opponents.
1. Participants and Recruitment
Approximately 40 citizens gathered at the Barvířská Elementary School in central Liberec. Recruitment was handled by CVVM to ensure a diverse set of participants with strong opinions on two topics:
- Traffic calming and transport in Liberec (a locally charged issue)
- Migration (a complex national and global issue)
The aim was to compare opinion-shifting potential on local versus broader societal topics.
2. Deliberation Process
The forum was structured in two thematic sessions:
Morning: Transport
- Citizens received a short expert lecture on traffic calming measures.
- Facilitators from Participation Factory guided small-group discussions, where participants shared opinions and personal experiences.
- The process encouraged participants to listen actively, understand opposing views, and test their own positions.
Afternoon: Migration
- Discussions expanded to consider local, national, and global dimensions.
- Facilitators maintained an inclusive, respectful dialogue, even as polarization naturally emerged around the topic.
- Participants were encouraged to reflect critically, engage constructively, and consider the evidence presented.
3. Key Findings: Depolarization and Trust-Building
1. Opinion Shifts Occurred
- Preliminary results show that participants adjusted their attitudes on both topics, even if shifts were small.
- Some participants were exposed to new perspectives and demonstrated greater openness toward opposing views.
2. Depolarization Through Dialogue
- Structured deliberation allowed citizens to step outside entrenched positions.
- Small-group discussions and the careful facilitation fostered respectful debate and mutual understanding.
- Even contentious topics like migration were discussed in a cultured, non-confrontational way.
3. Trust in the Process
- The combination of balanced information, expert input, and transparent facilitation contributed to participants’ trust in the forum.
- Informal breaks and personal interactions also helped build social cohesion and comfort in expressing views.
4. Willingness to Engage Further
- Many participants expressed interest in participating in future deliberative events, signaling that trust and motivation to engage had been restored or strengthened.
- This willingness is a key indicator of trust and democratic resilience, showing that participatory processes can counteract the isolation and distrust illiberal actors seek to exploit.
4. Why Liberec Matters
Liberec demonstrates that authentic participation can act as a tool against polarization and illiberal tactics:
- Illiberal actors thrive on distrust and division; the forum’s depolarizing effects help reduce the effectiveness of such strategies.
- Opinion shifts, active listening, and continued engagement show that citizens are capable of reconsidering rigid positions when given safe, well-structured deliberative spaces.
- The case highlights that even small-scale local forums can have wider significance for strengthening civic culture and trust in democratic institutions.
Liberec also fits into a broader European trend: participatory forums have successfully influenced national policy in countries such as Ireland (citizens’ assemblies on abortion legalization). In the Czech context, Liberec is one of the few cities experimenting with citizen-driven deliberation, building on existing participatory budgeting and citizen consultation frameworks.
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