A great review of this subject comes from a really interesting article at Swissinfo, produced by the Swiss public broadcasting association. Take a look at this excerpt:

Traditional diplomats also believe in the cities’ potential to save democracies. “I am more and more convinced that cities are not just the cradles of democracy, they have the power to protect and strengthen them,” says the former Austrian ambassador to Slovakia, Helfried Carl.

“Cities display today what democracies could look like tomorrow: more inclusive, more participatory, more accessible and more gender-balanced,” he adds. The 53-year-old is at the helm of the non-governmental “European Capital of Democracy” project. This initiative is coordinated by the “Innovation in Politics” institute in Vienna.

“Cities with a good democratic track record that invest in participation infrastructure can apply for this title,” Carl explains. He says Amsterdam, Helsinki, Mexico City and Switzerland’s fourth biggest city, Lausanne, are good examples that demonstrate the potential of capitals and major cities for promoting democracy.

See the full article at Swissinfo.