‘Appealing to voters’ better natures; is it feasible?’ Flickr album

Photo album of the ‘Next Left – Appealing to voters’ better natures; is it feasible?‘ event in the European Parliament.

FEPS and Karl–Renner-Institut organised the sixth iteration of the Next Left Lecture. Hosted by Andreas Schieder MEP, the lecture ‘’Appealing to voters’ better natures; is it feasible?” was presented by sociologist and political scientist Colin Crouch, Prof. Emeritus at the University of Warwick and External Scientific Member of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.

This Lecture explored whether progressive parties can realistically appeal to voters’ “better natures” in an era increasingly shaped by populist cynicism. Crouch argued that competing with the far right on fear or self-interest ultimately reinforces those narratives, and instead proposed a balanced approach that recognises both people’s willingness to do good and the limits of what they are prepared to sacrifice. Through examples such as climate policy, migration and social mobility, Prof. Colin Crouch examined how citizens are more likely to support inclusive and forward-looking policies when these do not impose disproportionate burdens or threaten their quality of life.