Research at the Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Thought

The Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy (MIDEM)
MIDEM is a scientific institution at the professorship under the direction of Professor Dr. Hans Vorländer, funded by the Mercator Foundation.

Especially in recent years, the topic of migration has led to new polarizations in European societies. The political and social challenges of this development are not yet foreseeable. Studies are needed that explore the relationship between migration and democracy.

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A look at our fields of research

Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy

Over the last several decades, migration has brought a clear change in the demographic makeup of European societies. The number of migrants in Europe has risen noticeably, and the topic of migration has led to new political polarisations within European societies over the last three years. The social and political challenges of this development are not yet clear. Studies are needed to examine the relationship between migration and democracy.

Our research fields

The range of research undertaken by the Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Thought deal with both the fundamental problems of modern political order as well as with specific historical issues and conflict constellations. Issues in political science are examined using a historical, systematic and normative approach and an interdisciplinary dialogue created.

Current projects

The research projects undertaken by the Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Thought deal with fundamental problems of modern political orders as well as specific issues and challenges. All projects aim to link theoretical discussion with the analysis of institutional practices. With a view to current problems, consideration is given to political issues from historical, systematic and normative perspectives.

Research at the Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Thought

The Mercator Forum for Migration and Democracy (MIDEM) asks how migration both shapes and is shaped by democratic policies, institutions and cultures. Forms, instruments and processes of political processing of migration in democratic societies are examined - in individual countries and in a comparative view of Europe. Central aspects of the research project are the perception of migration by democratic societies, the social fault lines that become visible as a result, and potential coping strategies. In doing so, the impact of migration on democratic discourses, actors and cultures could be analyzed and a European map of political and socio-cultural conflicts could be created. Subsequently, MIDEM has been focusing since 2021 on the democratic processing of migration, on institutional governance and interaction processes, and on the role of civil society actors.

Research Groups
The work at MIDEM is organized in four interdisciplinary research groups:

Zugehörigkeit, Identität und Zusammenhalt

Politische und gesellschaftliche Polarisierung

Nationale Governance von Migration

Lokale Governance von Migration

MIDEM has the task to

to promote national and international networking and interdisciplinary communication on migration.
to produce regular country reports and cross-sectional studies on key issues at the interface between migration and democracy.
to develop pan-European recommendations for action for the democratic handling of migration.
to advise European, national and local policy makers as well as civil society.

For more information and current event information, please visit the homepage and the MIDEM Twitter account. MIDEM publications can be found here.