Workshop series: “Vulnerable Democracy(ies)?”

The planned series of workshops with invited participants responds to the current crisis of liberal democracy, which has come under pressure due to the rise of right-wing populism, illiberal social models and global challenges such as climate change, digitalisation and social inequality. The aim of the workshop series is to go beyond a mere description of the crisis and to understand democratic uncertainty as an ongoing process of mutual understanding. In this context, an examination of current analyses of the crisis in democratic theory, democratic institutions and democratic practice appears particularly helpful, as does an analysis of their differences and overlaps. Our approach is based on three levels of analysis:

1. Conceptual work: A critical reflection on what democracy means today, beyond the certainties of the philosophy of history.
2. Institutional order: An examination of functional deficits arising from transnationalisation, digitalisation and bureaucratisation.
3. Lifeworld and practice: The focus is on the citizens’ perspective. Here, democracy is understood as an ensemble of concrete actions and as a way of life.