Ben Crum

Ben Crum

@bencrum.nl

Political Scientist @vuamsterdam.bsky.social Democracy, European Union politics, Social justice, Digital governance, Political theory

3.7K followers160 following323 posts

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Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

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...

policyreview.infoBrussels effect or experimentalism? The EU AI Act and global standard-settingLooking 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...
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Very true 👇 The biggest harms that digital technology produces are at the collective level. These will not be adequately addressed by policies that are only framed in terms of consumer concerns or basic rights

Ethan Zuckerman@ethanz.bsky.social

(A meta-observation from #attention2026 - the frame of product liability, as used in recent successful suits against Meta and others, has become the default for talking about tech and child safety. It's a super useful framing, but ignores the digital public sphere aspect of these tools.)

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

MEP Brando Benifei: "Europe should lead with new [AI] liability rules, 'or we will need to wait for the next blogpost of a CEO to know what is happening.'"

POLITICO Europe@politico.eu

Centrist parties backing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clashed at today's European Parliament plenary over whether to hold artificial intelligence firms accountable for harm.

politico.euVon der Leyen’s coalition fractures over need for AI liability rulesThe European Parliament held a heated debate over how to handle AI, with the center-right doubling down on simplification to boost European business.

Ben Crum reposted

Catarina Dutilh Novaes 🟥
@cdutilhnovaes.bsky.social

My department is hiring! The position is for an assistant professorship of Ethics and Political Philosophy. We're a great department with a very collegial atmosphere 😊 (Fyi I am not involved in this search procedure, just advertising it.) werkenbij.vu.nl/vacatures/as...

werkenbij.vu.nlVacature — Assistant Professor of Ethics and Political PhilosophyThe Department of Philosophy at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking an Assistant Professor of Ethics and Political Philosophy.

Ben Crum reposted

Tarik Abou-Chadi
@tabouchadi.bsky.social

For my new research unit Politics of Democracy at the Berlin Social Science Center @wzb.bsky.social, we have 3 open research positions. 2 postdocs: 4 + 2 years (100%) 1 doc: 2 years (75%) Starting date: 1 March 2027 (negotiable) Application deadline: 1 November

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Interesting as usual by @nvondarza.bsky.social 👇 This made me think: “this month saw three votes with an “everyone but the EPP” majority. […] If the left opens up to some targeted majorities with the far-right, some day the EPP could be on the losing side of more polarised European politics”

Der (europäische) Föderalist@foederalist.eu

In September, Ursula von der Leyen and many MEPs called for unity in the EP – but in practice, its internal fractures were as visible as ever. A vote on #Ceuta, in particular, revealed familiar divisions, and also some new ones. The monthly #EUAnalytics review by NICOLAI VON ONDARZA

foederalist.euEU Analytics – September 2026 review: The fractures of EU politics laid bare despite calls for unityEin Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Such a development would turn EP coalition-making into a truly multi-dimensional game. It also presents the left with a moral dilemma: does it want to rely on the extreme right (if only implicitly)?

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

I very much hope European policy makers will read this report👇: the EU’s digital economy can be simplified, but not just by erasing rules (certainly not for AI appropriation) but by putting them on a more systematic basis

Robin Berjon@robin.berjon.com

We all know that the GDPR et al. aren't working great. Alas, the current proposals to fix that — in what EU jargon calls an "omnibus" — make it way worse. This counter-proposal is: better for people, simpler for businesses, *much* stronger on security, competition, sovereignty, and online safety. 🧵

berjon.comA Real Digital Omnibus for European Competitiveness and SecurityThis document is offered as an expert contribution to ongoing discussions about the data aspects of the Digital Omnibus. Drawn from my experience in digital policy, technology strategy, and digital business, I find that the Commission's current Omnibus proposal contains a small number of provisions that achieve genuine simplification and strengthen the reliability of the regulatory environment, alongside a larger number of provisions that, however well-intentioned, would produce outcomes contrary to the legislative aims set out in the Commission's own framing. My purpose is to provide the framework and background information necessary for trilogue interlocutors to identify which provisions can be retained, which can be improved, and which should be reconsidered, so that the final Omnibus achieves the impact that its proponents seek.
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

I particularly like the proposal to establish a category of “Very Large Data Controllers” (VLDC). As VLDCs would face enhanced obligations, this would offload many obligations on smaller controllers and users

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Compelling and authoritative overview of where US democracy stands by @stevelevitsky.bsky.social & Lucas Way: “The U.S. case is thus broadly comparable to Hungary under Orbán, albeit with greater civil violations and a less tilted [electoral] playing field”

stevelevitsky.bsky.social@stevelevitsky.bsky.social

Lucan Way and I have been writing about competitive authoritarianism for more than 25 years. We never thought we'd write this piece. www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...

journalofdemocracy.orgCompetitive Authoritarianism in America | Journal of DemocracyThe United States has slid into competitive authoritarianism. The slide has been modest and remains reversible—but it is real. Even after Donald Trump, American democracy will remain fragile.

Ben Crum reposted

Frank Elbers
@franckelbers.bsky.social

The proposed cabinet of prime minister-designate Siegfried Mureșan is taking shape after PNL, USR and UDMR leaders agreed on distribution of ministerial portfolios, while formation of a parliamentary majority remains unresolved. #romania #politics www.romaniajournal.ro/politics/mur...

romaniajournal.roMuresan Cabinet takes shape, vote still uncertainThe proposed cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Siegfried Mure?an is taking shape after PNL, USR and UDMR leaders met

Ben Crum reposted

Journal of Common Market Studies (JCMS)
@jcms-eu.bsky.social

JCMS is seeking a new Editorial Team to lead the journal from 2027. We welcome multidisciplinary teams with a clear vision for development. Apply by 25th Sept. Applications to admin@uaces.org with the subject line 'JCMS Editors Application'. #JCMS #Wiley #UACES #AcademicPublishing #EuropeanStudies

Ben Crum reposted

Iva Vukušić
@vukusiciva.bsky.social

This ridiculous number of applications is, in my view, the result of 2 nightmare developments happening concurrently 1.the precariousness of the job market for young PhD graduates which then fuels further: 2.the AI tools enabling overproduction of proposals. #Research #ERC #ResearchFunding #Academia

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

"Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s letter calling for an industry “pause” [and any such calls, for that matter, BC] is best read as an effort to socialise, rather than accept, accountability for product safety at his company" 👇

Robert Armstrong@robarmstrong.bsky.social

High valuations are sustained by trust; trust is built on accountabulity; but AI companies won't hold themselves accountable as.ft.com/r/b63376a8-1...

Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Useful rundown👇 of what we can expect so far of THE European election if 2027 (also underlining how deeply broken the French party system is)

Mujtaba Rahman@mijrahman.bsky.social

As the April-May French presidential campaign enters a critical phase, the numbers look good for Marine Le Pen but France may still avoid its first Far Right government since 1944. Here are the three most recent polls - and some history. 1/

Ben Crum reposted

Roland Pierik
@roleo.eurosky.social

Mooi dat vanuit de academische gemeenschap de weerstand tegen A.I. misbruik steeds luider wordt. Als je wilt leren denken, moet je A.I. leren negeren. www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opin...

volkskrant.nlOpinie: Schrijven is denken, daarom moet je het zelf blijven doenOver een week begint het nieuwe academische jaar. Daarom een algemene oproep aan studenten: stop met schrijven met AI. Niet omdat AI niet werkt, maar omdat schrijven een vorm van denken is.

Ben Crum reposted

Sara Hobolt
@sarahobolt.bsky.social

📢 LSE Political Theory job opening We’re looking for a political theorist to join us at @lsegovernment.bsky.social - it is an open rank search, so we welcome applications at Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level Reach out with questions & please share widely! jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/I/...

jobs.lse.ac.ukAssistant/Associate/Professor in Political TheoryAssistant/Associate/Professor in Political Theory, , <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">LSE is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive university</p> <p style="margin:...
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Wonderful to find our article with @lutzphilipp.bsky.social published in @ejprjournal.bsky.social over the holidays 👇 We explore public opinion on which principles should guide refugee distribution across EU member states Little support for current principles, but also no agreement on an alternative

Philipp Lutz@lutzphilipp.bsky.social

Europeans want fairer responsibility-sharing in refugee protection among member states, but disagree on which principles should guide such a fair distribution — partly due to national self-interest. New article out in @ejprjournal.bsky.social with @bencrum.nl doi.org/10.1017/S147...

cambridge.orgFair enough? Citizens’ preferences on refugee distribution in the EU | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge CoreFair enough? Citizens’ preferences on refugee distribution in the EU
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

One quote stands out in the EU AI office’s expert report on frontier AI: “revenue at the frontier has so far been accompanied by large capital raises and sustained operating losses, and experts cautioned that a durable business model at the frontier has yet to be demonstrated” (p.13)

Yoshua Bengio@yoshuabengio.bsky.social

The EU AI Office has put out a new report, with input from 100 experts, outlining how the European Union can enhance its competitiveness, sovereignty and security in frontier AI. digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/a...

digital-strategy.ec.europa.euAI Office publishes frontier AI expert findings on EU competitiveness, sovereignty and securityThe AI Office has published a report that summarises findings from over 100 experts on how the European Union can enhance its competitiveness, sovereignty and security in frontier AI.
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Come work with us (specifically, my great colleague @lutzphilipp.bsky.social) on public opinion on migration 👇

Philipp Lutz@lutzphilipp.bsky.social

📢 Hiring a postdoc at @VU Amsterdam! Join my NWO project on the social norms of immigrant integration. Duration of 6 months, flexible start. Deadline 15 July 👇 workingat.vu.nl/vacancies/po... #AcademicJobs #MigrationResearch #PoliticalScience

workingat.vu.nlVacancy — Postdoctoral Position (0.8 FTE): Social Norms of Immigrant IntegrationDo you have an interest in public opinion on migration, and have you recently attained your PhD (or will you soon attain it)? Then please apply for this postdoctoral position on integration norms in i...

Ben Crum reposted

Odd This Day
@oddthisday.bsky.social

If it’s 6 June, it must be 194 years to the day since Jeremy Bentham died, stipulating in his will that his body should be preserved at University College London so he could be wheeled in to attend every council meeting. Except most of the stories about his remains aren’t true 🧵

Ben Crum reposted

Johnny Ryan
@johnnyryan.bsky.social

I spoke to @alejandrotauber.bsky.social of @euobserver.com about how Europe's "Ireland problem" could lead to tech disaster for our children, industry, and politics euobserver.com/218368/dubli...

euobserver.comDublin ‘can’t trust itself to do the right thing’: Why Irish EU presidency should recuse itself from regulating Big TechOn 1 July this year, Ireland takes the rotating EU presidency and agenda powers on the crown jewels of EU tech laws: "That should make you worried," says activist Johnny Ryan.
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Some of the conflict does follow Left-Right divisions (more so than e.g. divisions of ctizens rights vs. authority or pro- and anti-EU) New is that we find progressives aligning with the far right to counter the technological optimism of the centre right: 'technosolutionism' vs. 'technopluralism'

Ben Crum reposted

Sonny Rollins
@thesonnyrollins.bsky.social

It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins. The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY at the age of 95. 1/2

Ben Crum reposted

Philipp Lutz
@lutzphilipp.bsky.social

New article out: How Dublin transfers redistribute asylum responsibility. We show that Dublin transfers modestly reduced inequitable distributions of asylum responsibilities across member states, challenging common perceptions in the debate. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

journals.sagepub.comSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

👇 Highly recommended post-doc position in Political Theory

Markus Patberg@mpatberg.bsky.social

🚨Job alert🚨 Postdoc position: Political Theory and History of Ideas (100%, 3+2 years) @unigreifswald.bsky.social Deadline: 24.06.26 Happy to answer questions via email. Please share widely! www.uni-greifswald.de/en/universit...

uni-greifswald.dePostdoctoral Teaching and Research Associate - Professorship for Political Theory and History of Ideas 26/ES02Stellenausschreibung Institut für Politik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft

Ben Crum reposted

Katjana Gattermann
@kgattermann.bsky.social

🚨New PolCom Postdoc Vacancy🚨@kathleenbeckers.bsky.social & I are hiring on project "Media, Inequality, and Democratic Support" as part of the Horizon Europe project EDGE ⬇️ Start: 1 Oct 2026, length: 30 months, location: @ascor.bsky.social 🤩, DL: 7 June 2026! More info & apply: tinyurl.com/23zdmjhe

tinyurl.comVacancy — Postdoc Position "Media, Inequality, and Democratic Support"<p><span>Are you looking for a postdoctoral position in political communication research? Are you interested in media, inequality, and democratic attitudes, and would like to become an expert on the t...

Ben Crum reposted

Luise Quaritsch
@luisequaritsch.eurosky.social

The Council and European Parliament have agreed on the AI Omnibus last night. That negotiations concluded so quickly shows the immense political pressure to act, but it remains questionable whether the AI Omnibus can really fulfil the expectations of fostering growth and innovation pinned on it 1/

Ben Crum reposted

Tom Theuns
@tomtheuns.bsky.social

Happy to share a new publication: 'The Promises and Pitfalls of EU ‘Democracy Promotion’ in the International Arena: A Decolonial Perspective', co-authored with @alvarooleart.bsky.social academic.oup.com/book/62519/c... It’s part of an OUP book edited by Wouters, Smith, Raube and @bencrum.nl

academic.oup.comThe Promises and Pitfalls of EU ‘Democracy Promotion’ in the International Arena: A Decolonial PerspectiveAbstract. The European Union has the ambition—and the promise—of being a powerful actor for the promotion of democracy in the international arena, as Europ
Ben Crum
@bencrum.nl

Fascinating Use of EU Directives instead of Regulations is under attack from 2 sides: "A sudden thirst for deregulation from leaders like Friedrich Merz is converging with a fresh sense of urgency to deepen the single market" Weren't Directives to embody complementarity betwn EU and national policy?

Eddy Wax **@eddywax.bsky.social

My first stab at this is here, though of course Rapporteur subscribers will already know this www.euractiv.com/news/rapport...

euractiv.comWho killed the directive? | EuractivAlso, in Tuesday’s edition: budget vote, fertilisers, Greek web, AI Act