Resisting democratic decline: deliberation and some lessons from Germany and beyond

Democracies around the world seem to lose appeal for growing numbers of citizens. Partly explaining this trend, citizens seem less … Continue ReadingResisting democratic decline: deliberation and some lessons from Germany and beyond

Politics is no Match for Business: Charles Lindblom, Elon Musk and the Privileged Position of Business

The interplay between Elon Musk and the social democratic government in Brandenburg, where Tesla recently opened a Giga factory, illustrates … Continue ReadingPolitics is no Match for Business: Charles Lindblom, Elon Musk and the Privileged Position of Business

Our Europe for All – Civic engagement among young European citizens in Berlin and Brandenburg

Democratic institutions around the world seem to be losing appeal for an increasing number of citizens. Many of the debates … Continue ReadingOur Europe for All – Civic engagement among young European citizens in Berlin and Brandenburg

Plattelandsjongeren, Politieke Participatie en Sociale Media: Ervaringen met een Project in Duitsland.

De politieke participatie van jongeren in het algemeen en die van jongeren op het platteland in het bijzonder is niet … Continue ReadingPlattelandsjongeren, Politieke Participatie en Sociale Media: Ervaringen met een Project in Duitsland.

Charles Lindblom on the Market, Elites, Inequality and our Inability to Think Clear

Charles Lindblom (1917 – 2017), one of the most important political scientists of the twentieth century, published in 2000 The … Continue ReadingCharles Lindblom on the Market, Elites, Inequality and our Inability to Think Clear

Planning a future together: Could Eisenhüttenstadt use some deliberative democracy?

Political communities occasionally come to crossroads where fundamental, far-reaching decisions must be made. At such times, it can enhance the … Continue ReadingPlanning a future together: Could Eisenhüttenstadt use some deliberative democracy?

Loneliness, unhappiness, consumerism and its political consequences: observations and predictions of Robert E. Lane

Twenty years ago, the American political psychologist Robert E. Lane (1917 – 2017) published The Loss of Happiness in Market … Continue ReadingLoneliness, unhappiness, consumerism and its political consequences: observations and predictions of Robert E. Lane

Opportunists in Political Education for Democracy, Freedom and Respect: The Long Road of Democratization.

In 2020, Germany has been celebrating 30 years of German unification and 30 years of democracy, pluralism and respect in … Continue ReadingOpportunists in Political Education for Democracy, Freedom and Respect: The Long Road of Democratization.

Deliberating Discrimination, Antisemitism, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia in Volatile Schools in Hamburg: Why was there a wall between East and West Germany and not one between the North and the South?

In 2019 Social Science Works enjoyed a close cooperation with a district-school in Hamburg.[1] We formed two groups of about … Continue ReadingDeliberating Discrimination, Antisemitism, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia in Volatile Schools in Hamburg: Why was there a wall between East and West Germany and not one between the North and the South?