Podcast Highlights: Companies for Democracy – A Conversation with Markus Scholz

In the latest episode of the Karl-Renner-Institute's podcast "Rotfunk" (#44), Professor Dr. Markus Scholz and Maria Maltschnig, Director of the Research Institute for Democracy, explore the crucial role that corporations can play in protecting and promoting democratic values.

As we approach the super election year of 2024, the central question is whether democracies can withstand the rising authoritarian forces. Comparisons with historical developments shed additional light on this issue.

Professor Dr. Scholz discusses how companies today can take an active stance against authoritarian tendencies. This perspective aligns with the views of prominent figures such as former Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser, who has emphasized that the economic and societal elite must not repeat the mistakes of 1933 and must unequivocally oppose right-wing currents.

The conversation delves into concrete strategies and the limits of corporate political engagement. Professor Dr. Scholz explains why it is increasingly important for companies to take political positions and provides insights into successful examples of such engagement.

This podcast offers intriguing perspectives on the responsibility of corporations in the current political landscape and provides ideas on how businesses can actively contribute to strengthening democracy. Tune in to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of corporate engagement in democratic values.

You can listen to the podcast here.