How divided are Germany and Europe? A conversation about the fault lines of our present time

Whether climate change, migration or the war in Ukraine: concerns about societal division and polarization are immediately raised in the public debate almost irrespective of what the topic is. But is there really such a thing as a loss of social cohesion? Where do German and European societies actually stand? Dresden political scientist Prof. Hans Vorländer and Berlin sociologists Prof. Steffen Mau and Dr. Linus Westheuser will discuss this issue against the backdrop of their latest research findings on November 16 in Dresden.

In Germany, the societal consensus is broader than generally expected. However, there are certain issues that quickly ignite debate. That's the conclusion the sociologists Steffen Mau and Linus Westheuser of Humboldt University in Berlin draw in their new book Trigger Punkte: Konsens und Konflikt in der Gegenwartsgesellschaft (Trigger Points:Consensus and Conflict in Contemporary Society).

When it comes to polarization, emotions come into play. What we can observe in both Germany and Europe is the following: There are many topics, in particular "climate change" and "migration," where tempers heat up, and political camps get into fierce disputes. This can be dangerous for democracy. Political scientist Hans Vorländer will report on the potential for conflict caused by affective polarization, which the study of the Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy (MIDEM) reveals.

The public discussion about current societal conflict lines is organized in cooperation with the Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy (MIDEM) at TU Dresden and the European Center for the Arts – HELLERAU. The discussion will be moderated by Kathrin Müller-Lancé, editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Location: Event hall at the Institute for Wood Technology, Zellescher Weg 24
Date and time: November 16, 2023, 7:00 pm

Admission is free. Please register in advance if you would like to attend.

About MIDEM
The Mercator Forum for Migration and Democracy (MIDEM) is a research center at TUD Dresden University of Technology, funded by Stiftung Mercator. MIDEM analyzes how migration both shapes and is shaped by democratic policies, institutions and cultures. It investigates forms, instruments and processes of politically processing migration in democratic societies – in individual countries and in a comparative view of Europe.
More information about MIDEM: www.forum-midem.de

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