Introduction:
What once formed the backbone of political parties – ideals of civic empowerment, responsibility, and Enlightenment – is increasingly replaced by marketing, technocracy, and short-term gains. This erosion is especially visible in the energy transition. When measures are introduced top-down without proper public participation, resistance grows and populism gains ground. But there is another way: a return to Enlightenment thinking and democratic fundamentals.
From Kant to the Ballot Box: What Does Enlightenment Mean?
Immanuel Kant famously defined Enlightenment as mankind’s emergence from self-imposed immaturity:
“Immaturity is the inability to use one’s understanding without guidance from another. […] Sapere aude! Have the courage to use your own understanding!”
Today, many political parties pay lip service to this ideal but fail to act on it. Instead of empowering citizens, governments often offer tools that package knowledge into consumable products. This reinforces a logic of consumerism, not civic enlightenment.
The Energy Transition as a Mirror of Democratic Deficit
The energy transition affects everyone but is often left to policymakers and technocrats. Well-meaning campaigns mainly, including well-intentioned volunteer action, those who were already engaged, while the silent majority feels ignored or threatened. The result? Frustration, distrust, and support for parties that block sustainability efforts altogether.
Examples abound:
- Negative, often sensationalist media coverage about heat pumps or district heating
- Top-down promotion without meaningful involvement
- Libertarian think tanks like the Cato Institute – with millions in funding – spreading climate skepticism
These dynamics strengthen populist narratives and erode public trust, especially when mainstream political parties fail to counterbalance them with transparency and inclusion.
Why Deliberative Democracy Matters
This is precisely where deliberative democracy offers a way forward. Tools like citizens’ assemblies bring together randomly selected citizens to reflect, deliberate, and advise on complex issues such as energy policy. When done properly, these processes build trust, reduce resistance, and include the often-overlooked “silent middle”.
Crucially, participation must be purpose-driven. Before choosing a method, policymakers must be clear about what kind of engagement they seek—information sharing, co-decision, or co-creation.
The Forgotten Roots of Dutch Political Ideologies
The notion of upliftment – or Verheffing in Dutch – is present in all major political traditions:
- Labour Party (PvdA): “Responsibility for the community must not rest with the state alone, but also with the citizens themselves (enlightenment of people in Kant’s sense, elevation, Bildung. ”
- Christian Democrats (CDA): Emphasize subsidiarity and sovereignty in one’s own circle, placing responsibility where it can best be carried.
- Liberals (VVD): Promote individual freedom, constrained only when it harms others or future generations. (free market, not governed by market leaders for products or internet like facebook).
And yet, in practice, these principles are often sidelined. Policies are designed for passive recipients rather than informed participants. Citizens are treated as clients, not co-owners of the transition.
From Selling to Trust-Building: A Better Path Forward
If we truly want a successful energy transition, we must abandon the logic of marketing and embrace the logic of empowerment. No more “selling” measures like heat scans through disguised campaigns—but rather engaging people in honest, open, and democratic processes.
That requires political courage and a return to foundational values—not just in party manifestos but in everyday governance.
Conclusion:
Enlightenment is not dead—it is waiting to be rediscovered. Political parties still carry its promise in their founding principles, but too often fail to live up to it. Volunteer organizations also do not look at the broader perspective and follow this consumption paradigm. The energy transition offers a unique opportunity to revive that promise: not just through policies, but through a new democratic culture of participation, responsibility, and courage.
