Democracy depends on the relevant actors' ability to compromise, i.e. on their enlightened self-interest in cooperation and bargaining. For decades democratic politics have been accompanied by background music: chiefly, the lament that it is hardly possible to implement »ambitious« policies within the existing structures of federal, parliamentary democracy. » Read

It is for Ukraine alone to decide whether – and if so to what extent – it is willing to make territorial concessions to achieve an armistice, peace negotiations, and hopefully a stable peace following this dreadful war. In a communique issued on March 29, 2022, Ukraine already has taken a position on that question, declaring itself willing to guarantee its permanent neutrality, meaning that it would not join NATO. » Read

The world of financial policymaking has changed a lot since November, 2023. On that date the Federal Constitutional Court declared that it was unconstitutional for the government to take money from the Climate and Transformation Fund (CTF) and apply it ex post facto to a different purpose. Their ruling also had retroactive force, making previous repurposing of such funds null and void. As a result of this harsh verdict, the financial strategy of the Federal Government for the coming year has collapsed under its own weight. So far it has not recovered from the blow and at this point it is hard to foresee how and when it might. » Read

The year 2024 began with a bombshell dropped on society that overwhelmed CORRECTIV’S investigations team, but did much more than that. For months, millions of people in Germany took a stand in favor of democracy and against right-wing extremism. The occasion for this movement was the publication of a document entitled Secret Plan against Germany, an investigative report on the meeting near Potsdam that brought together far-right radicals, high-ranking AfD politicians, and the donors who sustain them. » Read

The rise of far-right populism and the democratic mobilization of the socio-political center – are outcomes of a German-German history of democracy, one shared in a dual sense. It began far earlier than 1990; in fact, it dates back to 1949 and even beyond. The two developments are better understood and categorized more intelligently in political terms if one takes fuller account of – indeed even begins to conceptualize – this divided democratic history of the longue durée. » Read

Masculinity has become a target of critique. At least since the ongoing #MeToo movement got underway, the concept of »toxic masculinity« has become firmly embedded in our vocabulary. Discarding old images of masculinity has the potential to empower men, too. Transformation is not easy, but there is hope for the future. The most powerful leverage that these pioneers of new masculinity have is the role they play as fathers of the next generation. Fathers who are emotionally accessible, communicative, and caring will raise a new generation of men (and women). . » Read

Many people consider the rise of right-wing extremism within the party to be less and less problematic.  They regard the AfD as a party like any other despite its drift toward extremism. Such research results make clear that two parallel trends have been taking place. On one hand, the party has been radicalized from within – a tendency apparent in the classification of several state-level parties as »definitely right-wing extremist«; on the other hand, the party has been »normalized« for the general public. What has to be done. » Read

Concern is rising, particularly in scientific, creative, and artistic circles, that human labor power might become redundant or even be replaced entirely. But at the same time the technology behind AI is the outcome of innovative scientific procedures. So how should the relationship between AI and science be conceived? Will the »parents« soon fall victim to their own »child«? » Read

Towards the end of the previous century, social democracy was a powerful force. Within the time span of just one generation, its standing seems to have crumbled. Center-left parties struggle to convince the electorate. » Read

Despite the ideological claims of neoclassical economists, the capitalist system is not neutral, but perpetuates systemic bias against women. » Read

The history of capitalism is the story of its transformations. As Jürgen Kocka writes, capitalism emerged in merchant, finance, and agrarian forms long before it developed into industrial capitalism in the course of the eighteenth century. » Read

At least as a general rule, a ceasefire must be in place before peace can be concluded. The ceasefire must be accompanied by a preliminary consensus about how the outlines of a peace agreement should look. » Read

The traffic light coalition (SPD, Greens and FDP) has a lot on its plate. Its self-proclaimed goal is to put into effect an ambitious policy of progress following the stagnation of the Merkel years. » Read

Intergenerational solidarity could prove crucial in addressing such challenges. » Read

Democracy asks a lot of us. It is long-winded, often boring, and tedious. Decisions take a long time; compromises can be reached, but not easily; and often enough they fall short of what actually is necessary. Discontent with democracy runs deep, but is not just a recent phenomenon. » Read

The faculty of judgment combines the willingness to make judgments with the capacity to do so. Both factors must be present for the power of political judgment to deserve the name. For that reason, we should not take it for granted that the faculty of judgment is actually present in any given citizen body. » Read

Access to resources and energy are indispensable to any sort of civilized intervention and are of elementary importance for social inclusion as well. If access becomes a matter of affordability, society will soon face a stress test. » Read