Democracy for all: Is the ’68 awakening in danger?

Frankfurt Citizens’ University event “50 years in motion – 1968 and the consequences” in summer semester 2018 and winter semester 2018/19

In his 1969 government declaration, Willy Brandt coined the formula: “Daring more democracy”. The opening evening will first examine the background to this democratic deficit (perceived and real) and discuss the extent to which 1968 and the subsequent socio-political reforms have actually succeeded in reducing such a deficit. After all, Jürgen Habermas spoke of a “fundamental liberalization” in the 1980s. However, observers now note a “backlash”. The rise of right-wing populist parties and authoritarian regimes, which are constitutionally pluralistic democracies, are seen as signs of a countermovement. Is the era of emancipatory optimism coming to an end?

These and other questions will be discussed by: Jürgen Kaube, editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Prof. Rainer Forst, political philosopher, spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence Normative Orders; Jutta Ditfurth, author, sociologist, Frankfurt city councillor; Albrecht von Lucke, legal and political scientist, publicist, editor of Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik. Prof. Nicole Deitelhoff, political scientist, member of the Cluster of Excellence and Managing Director of the Leibniz Institute Hessian Foundation for Peace and Conflict Research (HSFK), will moderate the event.