Democracy beyond borders: representation, legitimacy, norms and regimes

Abstract

This panel examines how democracy is reshaped when political authority, societal expectations, and normative standards extend beyond the confines of the nation‑state. In a context marked by multilevel governance, geopolitical uncertainty, and growing norm contestation, democratic practice no longer hinges solely on national institutions but on the complex interplay between domestic actors, supranational bodies, and external influences. The panel explores how representation is refracted across overlapping political arenas, how legitimacy must be renegotiated in an increasingly multipolar order, and how democratic norms and regime classifications evolve amid intensified cross‑border pressures. Together, the contributions illuminate the challenges and opportunities of practising democracy “beyond borders,” highlighting emerging tensions between citizens, elites, and external actors as they shape the future of democratic governance in Europe and beyond.

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