Workshop "Democracy in times of globalization"

Workshop in cooperation with the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Kassel

Globalization in its current form poses multiple challenges to democracies and indeed to democratic models of legitimacy as a whole. In Western democracies, openly anti-democratic forces are celebrating considerable electoral successes as a reaction to globalization processes. Autocratic regimes are having an ever greater influence on the global political situation. Large corporations have a decisive influence on the global economy and often use opportunities to evade national legislation. The digital revolution is determined by a small number of these companies, whereby the digital world as a whole is largely beyond political control. In addition, major migration movements in some countries are leading to significant changes in population figures and cultural shifts.

Local and national democracies seem helpless in the face of these developments. Democratic processes are often lengthy, and the influence of democratically legitimized representatives on the world order is dwindling. There is also little indication that the existing inter- and transnational political institutions are (further) democratizing.

The workshop will discuss what democratic legitimacy can look like under the conditions of increasing supranational interdependencies. What structural changes are necessary for democracy to have a future as a model of political self-determination at national and supranational level?

Participation is free of charge. Registration is requested at jens.schnitker@uni-kassel.de