Democracy and independent authorities in Greece: checks and imbalances

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, Research Associate at the LSE's Centre for Research on Contemporary Greece and Cyprus - Hellenic Observatory and senior research fellow, ELIAMEP, Athens.

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 one of the premier research centres on contemporary Greece and Cyprus. It engages in a range of activities, including developing and supporting academic and policy-related research; organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops; academic exchange through visiting fellowships and internships; as well as teaching at the graduate level through LSE's European Institute.

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LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.