Publications

Overview Publications of Social Science Works

Since 2016, those affiliated with Social Science Works have published a large number of articles and reports. Long and short articles, detached or polemical, very thorough or more associative, but always written in a way that can be understood by a wider audience. Some articles have appeared only in English, or only in German, some in both languages. The German articles can be found on the German pages of this website. The topics cover the themes central to Social Science Works’ activities: democracy, deliberation, populism, social cohesion, migration and integration, social criticism, science criticism and Usable Knowledge. To make the articles easier to find, they have been divided into categories. Since the categories naturally overlap, some articles can be found in multiple places. The following categories have been created.

  • Democratic Theory: empirically based theoretical articles on democracy, deliberation, pluralism, radicalization, extremism.
  • Project and Research Reports: articles about the projects and research we have carried out. Each project always has a research component as well, and also aims to generate general insights into the theme in question. Articles on all other themes can therefore also be found here.
  • Articles on populism: the overlap with democratic theory, among others, is obvious. Nevertheless, a separate category has been created because the articles in question explicitly address the populist movements that can be observed over the past decade in almost the entire Western world.
  • Science Criticism: articles that critically examine existing practices in academia and science.
  • Social Criticism: explicitly socially critical articles, a category with considerable overlap with populism.
  • Refugees and integration: articles that are often unrelated to the projects we have implemented in this field.
  • Urban Sociology and Tourism: integration, social cohesion and development, as well as socially and ethically responsible tourism are close to our hearts.
  • Finally, in order not to miss a single article by your favorite author, the articles are also listed by author.

In addition to these articles, a large number of interviews with refugees have been published. These can be found here. The interviews are a part of a larger project in which we researched the backgrounds, living conditions and prospects of refugees staying in a district of Brandenburg. This research brought forward the book Migration Politics on the Run, published in German in November 2023 by Transcript Publishers. Information about the book and the research can be found here.

Last but not least, we are creating podcasts. A series of podcasts with Zak Reimer and Hans Blokland on the central themes in the work of Social Science Works is here. In addition, a series of Podcasts created by Zak Reimer with representatives of organizations working to integrate refugees is here.

All English Blog articles in chronological order

Populism: Analysis, Diagnosis, and Democratic Remedies

Introduction Populism appears to be sweeping across the world. In a wide variety of countries, it is primarily right-wing populist parties that are winning elections. Once in power, they proceed—with greater or lesser success—to erode...

Populism, Identity and Political Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of Germany and Spain

For the spanish version of this article, click here. In recent years, parties such as Vox in Spain and Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany have entered the national political arena, achieving a level of...

Populism in Spain: Concepts, Trajectories, and Political Effects

For the Spanish version of this article, click here. Populism has become one of the major challenges facing contemporary Western democracies, reshaping political competition, public discourse, and citizen engagement (Kriesi et al., 2008; Müller, 2014)...

Democracy Under Pressure: Political Radicalization and Citizen Discontent in East Germany

Just like in numerous other Western countries, democracy in Germany is coming under increasing pressure. In 2026, legally mandated elections are scheduled in two western and three eastern federal states, and elections are looming in...

The Fragility of Dutch Democracy: Populism, Fragmentation, and Voter Volatility

Right-wing populism has also become a dominant political factor in the Netherlands. The parliamentary elections of October 2025, however, were frequently portrayed in the international press as a defeat for this populism—a defeat that would...

The Loneliness of Germans and their Refugees

For several years now, Social Science Works has been conducting in-depth interviews with refugees, asking them about their backgrounds, future plans, and problems. Their lives in temporary refugee shelters (Übergangswohnheime”), where they often stay for...

German bureaucracy in the integration of newcomers and how it can be reduced.

By international standards, Germany is a highly bureaucratized country. Even German-speaking natives regularly get lost in a forest of laws, regulations, and responsible administrative bodies. German civil servants are also known to be prone to...

The failing integration of newcomers in Germany: can Artificial Intelligence help?

Since 2016, Social Science Works has carried out dozens of integration projects with and for refugees for a wide range of clients. In addition, we have conducted extensive quantitative and qualitative research, particularly in Brandenburg...

Reform of the refugee shelter market: competition based on actual success indicators

At the end of 2024, there were approximately 3.5 million refugees living in Germany, including 1.2 million people from Ukraine. Around 20% of these people, or roughly 700,000 individuals, were housed in so-called Gemeinschaftsunterkünften (shared...

New book published: Talking Politics and Society Again: Reengaging with Fellow Citizens.

Talking Politics and Society Again: Reengaging with Fellow Citizens is the title of the new book of Hans Blokland. It will be published by Transcript Verlag in Bielefeld and will be available from March 27...

Populism in Algeria: Negation of Politics

If one term can describe Algeria’s political system from its inception to today, it is populism. For social, cultural, and historical reasons, populism served as the ideological foundation for the national liberation movement and, later...

Populism in France: An overview of its history, narratives, and relationship with the media

 The last elections (legislative and European) in France have highlighted more than ever the success of populist parties and strategies in French politics, on the left as well as on the right. The aim of...