Strengthening democracy in rural areas? | U!REKA online-lecture series: Democracy under threat
Democracy is one of the ‘core values’ of the European Union. Together with the rule of law and human rights, it forms the normative basis for open, inclusive and just societies committed to tolerance, solidarity and non-discrimination. However, scholars and commentators have been speaking about a ‘crisis of democracy’ for decades, and it appears that this crisis has magnified in the last years.
In our online lecture series, we analyse the present moment and discuss what conditions it – in economic, political, socio-cultural, technological and ecological terms. And in so doing, we explore what democracy is, and what it could be, how it is threatened and why and what can be done to defend and extend it in a sustainable way.
09/02/2027, 12:00-13:00 (CET)
Strengthening democracy in rural areas? (Micro-)historical path dependencies
In our current research project, we examine how democratic and anti-democratic attitudes emerge, persist and evolve within rural communities over time. From a micro-historical perspective, we investigate the historical formation and intergenerational transmission of political experiences, interpretations, and practices. Drawing on our experiences with local history workshops, our talk critically reflects on how local histories, family narratives, institutional traditions and practices of remembering and silencing shape contemporary understandings of democracy and democratic dialogue in rural communities.
Speakers: Michaela Köttig, Viktoria Rösch and Paula Matthies (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)
Chair: Stephanie Mehl (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)
Target Group
Lectures are open to everyone interested in questions of democracy and especially to all members of U!REKA universities including students and life-long learners.
Registration
is required – please click here. The online links will be provided by email together with the confirmation of the registration.