Andreas Nitsche is a German Computer Scientist with research interest in democratic self organization. His multidisciplinary work focuses on the chances and risks of technology for democracy, social cohesion, inclusion and conflict management. In international events, he delivered talks and conducted workshops on the philosophical, political and technological aspects of deliberation and credible decision making. He is a board member of the Berlin based Association for Interactive Democracy and co-founder of the LiquidFeedback project.

Publications (Selection)

2018 | “Roadmap to a Decentralized LiquidFeedback”. In: “The Liquid Democracy Journal on electronic participation, collective moderation, and voting systems”, Issue 6, ISSN 2198-9532.

2017 | “Warum Liquid Democracy keine Alternative zur parlamentarischen Republik ist”. Vorwaerts.de

2014 | “Liquid Democracy Provides No Alternative to the Republic”. In: “The Liquid Democracy Journal on electronic participation, collective moderation, and voting systems”, Issue 2, ISSN 2198-9532.

2014 | “Liquid Democracy - what all the noise is about”. In: “The Liquid Democracy Journal on electronic participation, collective moderation, and voting systems”, Issue 1, ISSN 2198-9532.

2014 | Behrens, Kistner, Nitsche, Swierczek: “The Principles of LiquidFeedback”. ISBN 978-3-00-044795-2.

Events (Selection)

2020 | “Implementing online deliberative methods of engagement”, International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN) / UK House of Commons, London, UK

2019 | “Mathematics for Social Activism” at University of Leeds, UK

2017 and 2019 | “Internet Deliberation and Voting” at Hertie School of Governance, Berlin

2017 | “Digital Democracy” at King's College London, UK

2016 | “The Future of Democracy” at University of Bologna, Italy

2016 | “A fair process of decision making” at University of Toulouse, France

2015 | “Conectados por la Paz” in Bogotá, Colombia with the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace (OACP) to the Government of Colombia

2014 | “Technology & Strengthening Democracy” in Islamabad, Pakistan with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York

2013 | “Political Parties and the Citizens” in Yangon, Myanmar with International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in Stockholm

Project Description

Alongside his American colleagues from academia and civil society, Andreas Nitsche will engage in an exchange on internet deliberation and decision making. The main focus will be on challenges for a fair, transparent and inclusive opinion formation: Polarization, populism, dominance of noisy minorities, hate speech, and trolling. In a polarized society, an important question is what is necessary to allow the merit of an argument to reach across the aisle. By no means is this only about algorithms; it is also about the design of a communication process, the proper embedding into administrative processes and the interrelation with traditional forms of participation. In this context, the vibrant culture of town hall meetings in the United States is of particular interest. In addition, he intends to take a critical look at the possibilities and limitations of new technologies and to pick up democratic ideas and traditions from the United States.