“Responsibility for liberal democracy” – Panel discussion with experts at the DNWE

On December 11 2025, the German Network for Business Ethics (DNWE) held an online event on the topic of “Responsibility for liberal democracy – do companies have a duty?”. The event took the form of an online panel discussion and focused on the role of companies as agents of social stability in times of political polarization.

Liberal democracy and the social market economy are closely linked in Germany. Against the backdrop of growing social tensions, the discussion asked what responsibility companies should and can bear for the democratic community – beyond classic ESG issues and compliance approaches.

The event brought together experts from academia, business, and civil society. In keynotes and a subsequent panel discussion, different perspectives on issues of responsibility were discussed, including the importance of corporate positioning for strengthening democratic values. Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz, Professor of Responsible Management at TU Dresden, contributed to the discussion and emphasized the need for companies to take on responsibility beyond traditional CSR roles and to actively engage in social debates.

The discussion made it clear that democratic engagement by companies can be seen not only as a risk, but also as an opportunity—for legitimacy, social stability, and long-term corporate success.

In his new book “Wirtschaft mit Werten” (Economy with Values), Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz takes up precisely this topic of discussion and examines the responsibility that companies bear in protecting liberal democracy.

If you would like to learn more about the German Network for Business Ethics, please visit their website here.

The book “Wirtschaft mit Werten” can be found here.