Studium Generale: Workplace Democracy

Most people would agree that the only legitimate form of government is a democracy, and yet when most of us go to work we enter a world of hierarchies that is rather undemocratic. In many workplaces, bosses make the decisions and employees carry out their tasks, be it as office worker or bike courier. But why shouldn't the workplace also be a democracy? Together with Professor of Political Philosophy Lisa Herzog and member of Organize the RUG Manuel Reyes, Tuur Elzinga discusses the future of workplace democracy.

Tuur Elzinga, director of the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV) believes it's time we put real democracy into practice—both in society and in the workplace. In his recent book Democraten aller landen, verenigt u (2024), he argues that many of our current challenges, such as the rise of far-right populism, are rooted in the perception that our institutions no longer reflect the interest of ordinary people. His answer: unite for democracy!

Tuur Elzinga is a Dutch politician and trade unionist. Between 2007 and 2016 he served in the Senate of the Netherlands representing the Socialist Party. Since 2018, he is a vice-president of the trade union confederation FNV with responsibilities for pensions and international affairs.

Lisa Herzog works at the intersection of political philosophy and economic thought. Since 2019, she has been Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Groningen. She is the Director of the Center for Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy. Herzog has published on the philosophical dimensions of markets, liberalism and social justice, ethics in organizations and the future of work. The current focus of her work are workplace democracy, professional ethics, and the role of knowledge in democracies.

Manuel Reyes serves as a member of the University of Groningen's University Council and is a co-organizer of the local group Organize the RUG. They are the Assistant Programme manager for the University's Open Science Programme and the founder and president of Stichting Inclusive Action North. Passionate about fostering inclusive practices, Reyes is committed to advancing democratic and pluralistic participation across all levels of society.

In collaboration with Groninger Studentenbond.

After the lecture Tuur Elzinga his book Democraten aller landen verenigt u. Een manifest voor de 21e eeuw (september 2024) will be available in the book stand of Godert Walter (in Dutch).