Conference “Democratic Cohesion” discusses challenges for democracy between research, politics and practice

In current political discussions, diagnoses of a crisis of democracy are often linked to the statement that social cohesion is at risk and needs to be strengthened. The answers to the question of which form of cohesion is best for a democracy are diverse and range from nationalist to cosmopolitan perspectives that place different emphases on cultural equality, social diversity or social and economic equality.

On February 11 and 12, 2025, the conference “Democratic Cohesion” will be dedicated to these questions. It is being organized by the PRIF – Leibniz Institute for Peace and Conflict Research and the “Normative Orders” research center at Goethe University. The event will begin on February 11 with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Jan-Werner Müller (Princeton University) in the Paulskirche. This will be followed by a prominent panel discussion with the Hessian Minister of Science Timon Gremmels, Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff, Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst and Prof. Dr. Jan-Werner Müller, who will discuss challenges and forms of democratic cohesion in times of political polarization. The specialist conference at Goethe University will follow on 12 February, where a “Market of Opportunities” will provide insights into the practice of democracy work in Hesse.
The event is funded by the “Strengthening Democracy Research Hesse” program, with which the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture supports various formats of democracy research and promotion.