Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos, Professor of Political Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Research Associate, Hellenic Observatory, LSE
Ideally, in contemporary democracies, independent authorities that regulate policy fields and intervene with state authorities to protect citizens, associations and enterprises should contribute to the improvement of checks and balances against the substantive powers of elected governments and public administrations. However, in the real world, as the case of contemporary Greece shows, independent authorities may become arenas of political party competition or empty institutional shells rather the best possible shells for non-partisan policy making and/or human rights protection. In brief, independent authorities may become something completely different from what their original mission was.
Meet our speaker and chair
Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos is Professor of Political Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Research Associate at the LSE's Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory.
Professor Vassilis Monastiriotis is Director of the LSE Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory, Professor in Political Economy and Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies at the European Institute, LSE.
The Hellenic Observatory (@HO_LSE) is internationally recognised as a leading research centre on contemporary Greece and Cyprus. In 2024, it became the LSE Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus with a strategy to expand its research base within LSE and beyond. The Centre produces world-leading, non-partisan research, critically engaging with key issues and fostering debate among academics, policymakers, and the public. Its work spans academic research, knowledge exchange, and policy impact.
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