Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl
Political Scientist @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
Democracy, European Union politics, Social justice, Digital governance, Political theory
Democracy, European Union politics, Social justice, Digital governance, Political theory
Pinned
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl
· Aug 27
Brussels effect or experimentalism? The EU AI Act and global standard-setting
Looking at the nature of AI technology and the contents of the EU AI Act, the external impact of the Act is better understood in terms of experimentalist governance than in terms of the much-cited ‘Br...
policyreview.info
New paper on a new topic in @policyr.bsky.social
I analyse the EU’s AI Act and its place in the global governance of the AI.
Examining the economy of AI + the contents of the Act, I conclude that expecting a ‘Brussels effect’ is neither apt nor useful.
….
policyreview.info/articles/ana...
I analyse the EU’s AI Act and its place in the global governance of the AI.
Examining the economy of AI + the contents of the Act, I conclude that expecting a ‘Brussels effect’ is neither apt nor useful.
….
policyreview.info/articles/ana...
Reposted by Ben Crum
🚨 Job Alert! Postdoc in POLITICAL TEXT ANALYSIS in the MULTIREP project
You do quant text analysis? You are interested in political representation? Enjoy working in teams? Would like to live in a great city? Consider joining us in Vienna!
⏱️ Apply by 15/12/2025
wratil.eu/files/MULTIR...
1/4 🧵
You do quant text analysis? You are interested in political representation? Enjoy working in teams? Would like to live in a great city? Consider joining us in Vienna!
⏱️ Apply by 15/12/2025
wratil.eu/files/MULTIR...
1/4 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 6:50 AM
🚨 Job Alert! Postdoc in POLITICAL TEXT ANALYSIS in the MULTIREP project
You do quant text analysis? You are interested in political representation? Enjoy working in teams? Would like to live in a great city? Consider joining us in Vienna!
⏱️ Apply by 15/12/2025
wratil.eu/files/MULTIR...
1/4 🧵
You do quant text analysis? You are interested in political representation? Enjoy working in teams? Would like to live in a great city? Consider joining us in Vienna!
⏱️ Apply by 15/12/2025
wratil.eu/files/MULTIR...
1/4 🧵
Read @robin.berjon.com on cloud infrastructure
Europe must embrace a “break-and-build” strategy:
“break” entrenched monopolies and
“build” its own digital infrastructure and addressing on a sector-by-sector basis
@projectsyndicate.bsky.social prosyn.org/5baiDt6?refe...
Europe must embrace a “break-and-build” strategy:
“break” entrenched monopolies and
“build” its own digital infrastructure and addressing on a sector-by-sector basis
@projectsyndicate.bsky.social prosyn.org/5baiDt6?refe...
How Many More Cloud Scares Does Europe Need?
Robin Berjon urges the EU to dismantle the entrenched US monopolies that are undermining the goal of tech sovereignty.
prosyn.org
November 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Read @robin.berjon.com on cloud infrastructure
Europe must embrace a “break-and-build” strategy:
“break” entrenched monopolies and
“build” its own digital infrastructure and addressing on a sector-by-sector basis
@projectsyndicate.bsky.social prosyn.org/5baiDt6?refe...
Europe must embrace a “break-and-build” strategy:
“break” entrenched monopolies and
“build” its own digital infrastructure and addressing on a sector-by-sector basis
@projectsyndicate.bsky.social prosyn.org/5baiDt6?refe...
Reposted by Ben Crum
How the Netherlands engineered its asylum crisis — and turned it into a business
How the Netherlands engineered its asylum crisis — and turned it into a business
The Dutch asylum system has been in crisis mode for years. An international investigation by Dutch investigative journalism collective Spit, together with Altreconomia in Italy, scrutinised the enormous amounts of public funds in Europe disappearing into asylum reception and detention. Who benefits from the cash flow generated by the asylum crisis?
euobserver.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
How the Netherlands engineered its asylum crisis — and turned it into a business
Reposted by Ben Crum
We're hiring a Lecturer in Political Science @vuamsterdam.bsky.social (deadline Nov 24): 👉 werkenbij.vu.nl/vacatures/le...
Vacature — Lecturer in Political Science – Comparative Politics
Do you have a PhD in Political Science and some teaching experience? Are you interested in teaching a diverse and international student community? The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) offers a positi...
werkenbij.vu.nl
October 31, 2025 at 1:15 PM
We're hiring a Lecturer in Political Science @vuamsterdam.bsky.social (deadline Nov 24): 👉 werkenbij.vu.nl/vacatures/le...
On the day of General Elections in the Netherlands, my article on last year's EP elections has found a home
"Party Dynamics in the 2024 European Parliament Elections" can be found in the Annual Review Issue (S1) of @jcms-eu.bsky.social, page 80-90
Also other great articles
doi.org/10.1111/jcms...
"Party Dynamics in the 2024 European Parliament Elections" can be found in the Annual Review Issue (S1) of @jcms-eu.bsky.social, page 80-90
Also other great articles
doi.org/10.1111/jcms...
October 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
On the day of General Elections in the Netherlands, my article on last year's EP elections has found a home
"Party Dynamics in the 2024 European Parliament Elections" can be found in the Annual Review Issue (S1) of @jcms-eu.bsky.social, page 80-90
Also other great articles
doi.org/10.1111/jcms...
"Party Dynamics in the 2024 European Parliament Elections" can be found in the Annual Review Issue (S1) of @jcms-eu.bsky.social, page 80-90
Also other great articles
doi.org/10.1111/jcms...
Reposted by Ben Crum
You think your elections are nail biters? In the last poll of the polls, the @peilingwijzer.bsky.social produced by @tomlouwerse.nl, before election day in the Netherlands tomorrow, three parties are tied for first place
peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl
peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl
Laatste Peilingwijzer – Peilingwijzer
De Peilingwijzer combineert de Tweede Kamerpeilingen van Ipsos I&O & Verian/EenVandaag
peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl
October 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
You think your elections are nail biters? In the last poll of the polls, the @peilingwijzer.bsky.social produced by @tomlouwerse.nl, before election day in the Netherlands tomorrow, three parties are tied for first place
peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl
peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl
Tomorrow general elections in The Netherlands!
I'm preparing a short talk 'what to watch'
A couple of 'records' (since 1956) may be challenged:
- Smallest biggest party: 31/150 seats for VVD in 2010
- Most parties under 5 seats in parliament: 8 parties in 1982
1/3
I'm preparing a short talk 'what to watch'
A couple of 'records' (since 1956) may be challenged:
- Smallest biggest party: 31/150 seats for VVD in 2010
- Most parties under 5 seats in parliament: 8 parties in 1982
1/3
October 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tomorrow general elections in The Netherlands!
I'm preparing a short talk 'what to watch'
A couple of 'records' (since 1956) may be challenged:
- Smallest biggest party: 31/150 seats for VVD in 2010
- Most parties under 5 seats in parliament: 8 parties in 1982
1/3
I'm preparing a short talk 'what to watch'
A couple of 'records' (since 1956) may be challenged:
- Smallest biggest party: 31/150 seats for VVD in 2010
- Most parties under 5 seats in parliament: 8 parties in 1982
1/3
Reposted by Ben Crum
In short, the problem here is not that Signal ‘chose’ to run on AWS. The problem is the concentration of power in the infrastructure space that means there isn’t really another choice: the entire stack, practically speaking, is owned by 3-4 players. 11/
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
In short, the problem here is not that Signal ‘chose’ to run on AWS. The problem is the concentration of power in the infrastructure space that means there isn’t really another choice: the entire stack, practically speaking, is owned by 3-4 players. 11/
Reposted by Ben Crum
OpenAI, xAI & Mistral may have just received their first EU AI Act warning shot. Dutch regulator AP found ChatGPT, Grok & le Chat gave biased voting advice ahead of elections — a potential breach of new GPAI rules.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
OpenAI, xAI, Mistral get a shot across the bows to beware EU AI Act enforcement | MLex | Specialist news and analysis on legal risk and regulation
OpenAI, xAI and Mistral could be open to legal risk after the findings of a Dutch privacy probe into election advice this week appeared to expose early violations of the EU AI Act’s rules for general-...
www.mlex.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
OpenAI, xAI & Mistral may have just received their first EU AI Act warning shot. Dutch regulator AP found ChatGPT, Grok & le Chat gave biased voting advice ahead of elections — a potential breach of new GPAI rules.
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
www.mlex.com/mlex/article...
Reposted by Ben Crum
Wilders, reus op lemen voeten.
Door het effect van imiteren & isoleren verliest hij.
VVD, JA21, FvD & BBB bieden de kiezer grosso modo dezelfde migratierestricties.
Tegelijk wijst iedereen erop dat Wilders buitenspel staat.
In de laatste peiling staat hij op 34, lijkt me sterk dat hij dat haalt.
Door het effect van imiteren & isoleren verliest hij.
VVD, JA21, FvD & BBB bieden de kiezer grosso modo dezelfde migratierestricties.
Tegelijk wijst iedereen erop dat Wilders buitenspel staat.
In de laatste peiling staat hij op 34, lijkt me sterk dat hij dat haalt.
October 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Wilders, reus op lemen voeten.
Door het effect van imiteren & isoleren verliest hij.
VVD, JA21, FvD & BBB bieden de kiezer grosso modo dezelfde migratierestricties.
Tegelijk wijst iedereen erop dat Wilders buitenspel staat.
In de laatste peiling staat hij op 34, lijkt me sterk dat hij dat haalt.
Door het effect van imiteren & isoleren verliest hij.
VVD, JA21, FvD & BBB bieden de kiezer grosso modo dezelfde migratierestricties.
Tegelijk wijst iedereen erop dat Wilders buitenspel staat.
In de laatste peiling staat hij op 34, lijkt me sterk dat hij dat haalt.
Reposted by Ben Crum
Dit is hét onderwerp van de 21e eeuw: digitale zaken. Verslavende algoritmes, de macht van techreuzen, de veiligheid van informatie bij de overheid 👇
Maar weinig aandacht voor digitalisering bij de verkiezingen. ‘Waar blijft de minister van Digitale Zaken?’
Maar weinig aandacht voor digitalisering bij de verkiezingen. ‘Waar blijft de minister van Digitale Zaken?’
Van alle thema’s die deze verkiezingscampagne voorbij komen is de digitalisering misschien wel de opvallendste afwezige. ‘Technologie is geen sexy onderwerp.’
www.trouw.nl
October 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Dit is hét onderwerp van de 21e eeuw: digitale zaken. Verslavende algoritmes, de macht van techreuzen, de veiligheid van informatie bij de overheid 👇
Reposted by Ben Crum
@ckreudersonnen.bsky.social and I are happy to announce two open research positions in our joint DFG-funded project VARICRIS (👉 bit.ly/varicris).
We are recruiting a #PostDoc and a #PhD candidate 🧵:
#PoliSky #PoliSkyJobs #polsci 🌐
We are recruiting a #PostDoc and a #PhD candidate 🧵:
#PoliSky #PoliSkyJobs #polsci 🌐
Welcome! – VARICRIS
VARICRIS research project
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
@ckreudersonnen.bsky.social and I are happy to announce two open research positions in our joint DFG-funded project VARICRIS (👉 bit.ly/varicris).
We are recruiting a #PostDoc and a #PhD candidate 🧵:
#PoliSky #PoliSkyJobs #polsci 🌐
We are recruiting a #PostDoc and a #PhD candidate 🧵:
#PoliSky #PoliSkyJobs #polsci 🌐
Reposted by Ben Crum
Applications for our flagship Visiting Scholars Program are now open and close Dec 14, 2025. Scholars who are European citizens can also apply for our 4 fellowships. Please share widely! @dziblatt.bsky.social
🔗https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/opportunities/visiting-scholars-overview/visiting-scholars
🔗https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/opportunities/visiting-scholars-overview/visiting-scholars
October 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Applications for our flagship Visiting Scholars Program are now open and close Dec 14, 2025. Scholars who are European citizens can also apply for our 4 fellowships. Please share widely! @dziblatt.bsky.social
🔗https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/opportunities/visiting-scholars-overview/visiting-scholars
🔗https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/opportunities/visiting-scholars-overview/visiting-scholars
Reposted by Ben Crum
Hier haben wir unsere Stellenausschreibung vielleicht noch nicht gepostet: Das @hiigberlin.bsky.social sucht eine*n interessierte*n und motivierte*n postdoc, die/der mit uns zusammen einen neuen Forschungsbereich zum Thema Demokratischer Wandel und Wissen aufbaut. www.hiig.de/stellenaussc...
Forschungsleiter*in (m/w/d): Demokratischer Wandel und Wissen
Das HIIG sucht eine*n Postdoktorand*in für den Aufbau des Forschungsschwerpunktes Demokratischer Wandel und Wissen.
www.hiig.de
October 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Hier haben wir unsere Stellenausschreibung vielleicht noch nicht gepostet: Das @hiigberlin.bsky.social sucht eine*n interessierte*n und motivierte*n postdoc, die/der mit uns zusammen einen neuen Forschungsbereich zum Thema Demokratischer Wandel und Wissen aufbaut. www.hiig.de/stellenaussc...
Striking that the figure below has provoked much less response than @simonhix.bsky.social's preceding call for an electoral threshold in NL
It raises the genuine question how much fragmentation a party system can afford
The response can't just be: this is how we do things in NL
a few more thoughts:
It raises the genuine question how much fragmentation a party system can afford
The response can't just be: this is how we do things in NL
a few more thoughts:
What better to way to spend a Friday PM than calculating ENPV in NL?
=>
1. Dutch voters have no problem coordinating in EP elections, where the effective threshold is 3.1% (100 / 31+1);
2. The party system would still be fragmented in the TK with a 4% threshold, but with fewer parties overall.
=>
1. Dutch voters have no problem coordinating in EP elections, where the effective threshold is 3.1% (100 / 31+1);
2. The party system would still be fragmented in the TK with a 4% threshold, but with fewer parties overall.
October 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Striking that the figure below has provoked much less response than @simonhix.bsky.social's preceding call for an electoral threshold in NL
It raises the genuine question how much fragmentation a party system can afford
The response can't just be: this is how we do things in NL
a few more thoughts:
It raises the genuine question how much fragmentation a party system can afford
The response can't just be: this is how we do things in NL
a few more thoughts:
Reposted by Ben Crum
At @foederalist.eu, I have a tradition of publishing a way-too-early piece about potential next EP lead candidates shortly after the mid-term reshuffle (www.foederalist.eu/2017/02/spit..., www.foederalist.eu/2022/02/euro...).
But this time, it seems I'll be a latecomer to the speculation party.
But this time, it seems I'll be a latecomer to the speculation party.
October 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
At @foederalist.eu, I have a tradition of publishing a way-too-early piece about potential next EP lead candidates shortly after the mid-term reshuffle (www.foederalist.eu/2017/02/spit..., www.foederalist.eu/2022/02/euro...).
But this time, it seems I'll be a latecomer to the speculation party.
But this time, it seems I'll be a latecomer to the speculation party.
Interesting exchange between the 2 Simons👇
I am torn on an electoral threshold in NL
I know very well why we don't have one, and why it would be v difficult to introduce
But I also feel that we are sometimes too wedded to the supposed 'integrity' of the system as it is
New equilibriums are possible
I am torn on an electoral threshold in NL
I know very well why we don't have one, and why it would be v difficult to introduce
But I also feel that we are sometimes too wedded to the supposed 'integrity' of the system as it is
New equilibriums are possible
NL needs an electoral threshold, eg. 4% (as in Sweden). It would encourage smaller parties to merge, voters to coordinate around medium and larger parties, and make coalition formation easier, governments more stable, and improve governability overall.
Come on guys, Europe needs you to do this!
Come on guys, Europe needs you to do this!
The Peilingwijzer poll of polls for the Netherlands has been updated to include the latest poll of Ipsos I&O.
📊 📈 All graphs & figures: https://peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl/
Source Ipsos I&O: https://is.gd/35hl01
📊 📈 All graphs & figures: https://peilingwijzer.tomlouwerse.nl/
Source Ipsos I&O: https://is.gd/35hl01
October 17, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Interesting exchange between the 2 Simons👇
I am torn on an electoral threshold in NL
I know very well why we don't have one, and why it would be v difficult to introduce
But I also feel that we are sometimes too wedded to the supposed 'integrity' of the system as it is
New equilibriums are possible
I am torn on an electoral threshold in NL
I know very well why we don't have one, and why it would be v difficult to introduce
But I also feel that we are sometimes too wedded to the supposed 'integrity' of the system as it is
New equilibriums are possible
Really big if confirmed:
@danielfreund.bsky.social suspects Hungarian government of undertaking spyware attacks on European parliamentarians
danielfreund.eu/after-spywar...
@danielfreund.bsky.social suspects Hungarian government of undertaking spyware attacks on European parliamentarians
danielfreund.eu/after-spywar...
After spyware attack: Daniel Freund files lawsuit against Viktor Orbán - Daniel Freund
danielfreund.eu
October 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Really big if confirmed:
@danielfreund.bsky.social suspects Hungarian government of undertaking spyware attacks on European parliamentarians
danielfreund.eu/after-spywar...
@danielfreund.bsky.social suspects Hungarian government of undertaking spyware attacks on European parliamentarians
danielfreund.eu/after-spywar...
Belangrijk onderzoek van @ipsosnl.bsky.social @maartjevdkoppel.bsky.social @sjoerdvanheck.bsky.social
Meerderheid rechts-conservatieve kiezers vindt: "besluiten die de meerderheid wil moeten worden uitgevoerd, zelfs als ze de rechtsstaat uitdagen of aanpassen”
www.ipsos-publiek.nl/actueel/link...
Meerderheid rechts-conservatieve kiezers vindt: "besluiten die de meerderheid wil moeten worden uitgevoerd, zelfs als ze de rechtsstaat uitdagen of aanpassen”
www.ipsos-publiek.nl/actueel/link...
Links-rechtspolarisatie verlamt de Nederlandse politiek - Ipsos I&O Publiek
teeds minder kiezers zijn tevreden over de manier waarop de democratie werkt in Nederland: ze geven de democratie nu een 5,2, waar dat in 2018 nog een 6,4 was. Waarom de democratie niet naar tevredenh...
www.ipsos-publiek.nl
October 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Belangrijk onderzoek van @ipsosnl.bsky.social @maartjevdkoppel.bsky.social @sjoerdvanheck.bsky.social
Meerderheid rechts-conservatieve kiezers vindt: "besluiten die de meerderheid wil moeten worden uitgevoerd, zelfs als ze de rechtsstaat uitdagen of aanpassen”
www.ipsos-publiek.nl/actueel/link...
Meerderheid rechts-conservatieve kiezers vindt: "besluiten die de meerderheid wil moeten worden uitgevoerd, zelfs als ze de rechtsstaat uitdagen of aanpassen”
www.ipsos-publiek.nl/actueel/link...
Reposted by Ben Crum
Oh wow! What a beautiful cover! So proud to be part of this forthcoming book! 🤩
This has taken some time, but the cover alone makes it worth the wait:
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
October 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Oh wow! What a beautiful cover! So proud to be part of this forthcoming book! 🤩
This has taken some time, but the cover alone makes it worth the wait:
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
October 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This has taken some time, but the cover alone makes it worth the wait:
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
'The Promise of EU Democracy' is due to come out at OUP this spring
It collects the very best on EU democracy - promises and disillusions - from the H2000 RECONNECT-project
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Ben Crum
Is het in overeenstemming met democratische waarden om van immigranten te eisen dat ze trouw beloven aan normen die niet van burgers worden verwacht en gehandhaafd? www.socialevraagstukken.nl/migratiesame... @s-manser-egli.bsky.social @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
Voor immigranten gelden strengere sociale normen
Immigranten krijgen vaak niet dezelfde sociale speelruimte als burgers zonder migratieachtergrond. Sociale wetenschappers Stefan Manser-Egli en Philipp Lutz vinden dat het streven naar vrijheid en gel...
www.socialevraagstukken.nl
October 14, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Is het in overeenstemming met democratische waarden om van immigranten te eisen dat ze trouw beloven aan normen die niet van burgers worden verwacht en gehandhaafd? www.socialevraagstukken.nl/migratiesame... @s-manser-egli.bsky.social @vuamsterdam.bsky.social
This is exciting: a new book coming out by Steven Lukes
I guess I'll be doing some close reading under the Christmas tree
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
I guess I'll be doing some close reading under the Christmas tree
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
The Diversity of Morals
How to make sense of the divergence between philosophers’ quest for a single morality and social scientists’ assumption that there are multiple moralities
press.princeton.edu
October 10, 2025 at 6:44 AM
This is exciting: a new book coming out by Steven Lukes
I guess I'll be doing some close reading under the Christmas tree
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
I guess I'll be doing some close reading under the Christmas tree
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Ben Crum
Many are concerned about the return of Babiš to the top of Czech politics. While the results of this weekend's Czech legislative election poses its concerns, I am an optimist. I think Babiš's victory is rather Pyrrhic. Here are some thoughts: blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
The 2025 Czech election – Andrej Babiš’s Pyrrhic victory
Andrej Babiš’s ANO won the 2025 Czech election on 3–4 October. Yet as Jan Rovny explains, Babiš will find it challenging to form a stable government.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Many are concerned about the return of Babiš to the top of Czech politics. While the results of this weekend's Czech legislative election poses its concerns, I am an optimist. I think Babiš's victory is rather Pyrrhic. Here are some thoughts: blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
“If negotiations between EU member states and MEPs don’t begin in the coming months, there will be no chance of having European lists in 2029. That would mean missing, once again, a historic opportunity to finally give European elections a truly European dimension”
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Time running out for transnational lists for 2029 Euro-elections
There is a systemic absence of a genuine European electoral space. As long as citizens are only allowed to vote for national parties, from national lists, presented by national actors, using national ...
euobserver.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
“If negotiations between EU member states and MEPs don’t begin in the coming months, there will be no chance of having European lists in 2029. That would mean missing, once again, a historic opportunity to finally give European elections a truly European dimension”
euobserver.com/eu-political...
euobserver.com/eu-political...