Democratic cohesion
In contemporary 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. However, the answers to the question of what form of cohesion is characteristic and desirable for a democracy are diverse. They range from nationalist to cosmopolitan positions, from those that emphasize the importance of cultural equality, to those that emphasize social diversity and conflict, to those that see social and economic equality as indispensable. So it’s time to take stock and reflect on the current situation: what does “democratic cohesion” mean?
From February 11 to 12, 2025 – and thus immediately before the new Bundestag elections – the conference Democratic Cohesion will take place in Frankfurt. The conference will kick off with an evening debate on February 11 in Frankfurt’s Paulskirche, a central venue in the history of German democracy. On 12 February, all conference participants will discuss key areas of tension in current democracy research, including increasing radicalization, the constitution of democratic institutions and drivers of polarization and populism. The Market of Opportunities with actors and initiatives from all over Hesse will offer very practical insights into concrete democracy work and basic research.
Project goals
The event is part of the immediate program 11+1 for Hesse and the resulting funding line Strengthening Democracy Research Hesse of the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts (HMWK). Our conference in February is explicitly aimed at the interested public, particularly in view of the debate in St. Paul’s Church on Tuesday evening. The second day offers the specialist public from research, politics, administration and civil society the opportunity for mutual exchange and networking. The Market of Opportunities, which is also open to the public also signals the strong integration of concrete democracy work and application-oriented basic research into the overall picture of the new democracy format.
The conference is fully booked. You can find the link to the livestreams below.
Further information: Here…
Program
Kick-off event: 11 February 2025
Venue: Frankfurt Paulskirche (Paulsplatz 11, 60311 Frankfurt a. M.)
To the livestream of the kick-off event: Here…
from 17:30
Admission
6:00 pm
Greetings
18:30
Keynote: Prof. Dr. Jan-Werner Müller (Princeton University)
19:00
Panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Jan-Werner Müller, Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff (PRIF), Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst (Normative Orders) and the Hessian Minister of Science Timon Gremmels
20:00
Reception
The launch event can be followed via our livestream if you can no longer find a seat in St. Paul’s Church or can only attend the event online.
Conference and market of opportunities: February 12, 2025
Location: Casino building of the Goethe University Frankfurt (Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 2, 60323 Frankfurt a. M.)
To the livestream of the conference: Here…
Opening and welcome (9:00 – 9:15 a.m.)
Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff (President of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main)
Panel 1: Radicalization and resilience (9:15-10:45 a.m.)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick (Bielefeld University)
Prof. Dr. Johanna Sigl (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences)
Dr. Reiner Becker (Philipps University Marburg)
Panel 2: Institutions and innovations (11:15-12:45)
Prof. Dr. Claudia Landwehr (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schröder (University of Kassel)
Prof. Dr. Brigitte Geißel (Goethe University Frankfurt)
Lunch break: Market of opportunities (12:45-14:45)
Presentation and exchange of initiatives and democracy projects from universities, colleges, foundations and civil society organizations from all over Hesse
Panel 3: Populism and polarization (14:45-16:15)
Prof. Dr. Regina Kreide (Justus Liebig University Giessen)
Prof. Dr. Dirk Jörke (TU Darmstadt)
Prof. Dr. Oliver Decker (University of Leipzig)
Conclusion and outlook (16:15-16:45)
Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff (PRIF)
Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst (Normative Orders)
Prof. Dr. Julian Junk (HöMS)
Organizers:
Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), Research Center “Normative Orders”, Goethe University Frankfurt, Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC), Frankfurt am Main location, Hessian Ministry of Science and Art, Hessian University of Applied Sciences for Public Management and Security (HöMS)
