Democracies in crisis - winter semester 2025/26

The interdisciplinary lecture series addresses the question of how stable and sustainable democratic systems are in light of current challenges and stresses. The erosion of constitutional institutions, declining trust in political representation, political polarization, the spread of authoritarian discourse, and the deliberate dissemination of disinformation are just as much symptoms of the crisis as the question of how democracies can deal with global problems such as climate change, migration, and social inequality. Another focus of the lecture series may—but does not necessarily have to—be on the region of eastern Germany, e.g., experiences of transformation, regional identity formation processes, and the political culture of eastern Germany.

Date: Every Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location: University of Potsdam, Griebnitzsee Campus, Building 6, Lecture Hall H05

Start: An organizational introductory event will take place on October 14, 2025.

The first lecture will take place on October 21. 

Contact: Janina Walkenhorst (janina.walkenhorstuuni-potsdampde) 

The detailed program will follow shortly...