The Future of Democracy? – A Review of the 1st Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference
More than 100 international researchers exchanged views on one of the most pressing issues of our time at the 1st Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference “The Future of Democracy?”. The discussion focused on democratic regression, authoritarian populism, social polarization, disinformation—and the crucial role of institutions, civil society, and international cooperation in stabilizing democracy. The exchange was initiated by WZB President Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, and co-organized by Daniel Ziblatt and Michael Zürn.
Interdisciplinary conferences are still rare in the social sciences, Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln emphasized in her opening remarks. However, in order to effectively address the challenges facing modern societies, it is crucial to “combine insights from multiple disciplines, rather than relying on a single perspective.” In several keynotes, panels, and sessions on October 9 and 10, scholars from various disciplines, such as political science, economics, sociology, communication science, psychology, and law, presented their current research.
Public service infrastructure is the central field of encounter between citizens and the state, explained researcher Catherine de Vries at the start of the conference. When things don't work here—when, for example, doctors' offices close or schools fall into disrepair—it directly impacts voting decisions. The political scientist from Bocconi University in Milan and chair of the WZB's Advisory Board, gave the first keynote address at the interdisciplinary annual conference. De Vries illustrated the connection between the decline of public services and the rise of right-wing populism with examples from Italy and the United Kingdom. She strongly recommended strategic investments and the reduction of bureaucracy. After all, the funds available to the public sector do not depend solely on economic developments; ultimately, the decision is made at the political level.
Panel “State of US Democracy” and the Work of the Polarization Lab
A “sea change” has taken place in American political life—nothing is the same as it was before. The drama of this assessment by Jacob S. Hacker, professor of political science at Yale University, shaped the entire panel. Four Americans attempted to grasp what is happening in their homeland and where the political changes might lead. “What worries you most?” asked moderator Daniel Benjamin, director of the American Academy in Berlin. Their answers were a kaleidoscope of nightmares: Chloe Thurston, from the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University, is worried about the use of military force in American cities; Paul Pierson, who teaches political science at Berkeley, is concerned about the “total collapse of formal institutional protection,” i.e., the end of checks and balances. Jacob S. Hacker lamented the widespread lack of collective resistance. It was a thought-provoking exchange of perspectives on the current state of American democracy, offering only tentative glimpses of possible ways out.
Christopher Andrew Bail said he wanted to bring optimism to the conference at the start of his keynote speech. The professor of sociology, computer science, and political science at Duke University reported on the work of the Polarization Lab: Interventions using artificial intelligence aim to bring people together and make their exchanges more constructive. One experiment targeted users of the “nextdoor” platform, which is comparable to “nebenan.de” in Germany. A “kindness intervention” suggested phrases to posters that were more polite and appreciative than the original text. Even if such interventions do not change political attitudes, they can reduce stress in interpersonal interactions.
Tim Besley, from the London School of Economics and Political Science, examined the complex interplay between political instability and economic performance in his keynote speech “Political Stability and Economic Performance.” He emphasized the importance of integrating political and economic analyses to understand current global challenges, such as stagnant growth, rising populism, and the climate crisis.
A Format with a Future
“It is important for people to talk to each other.” This may seem like a platitude, but it is not in this situation. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, an Indian-American public intellectual visiting from Princeton University, concluded the annual conference by stating that politics is made through exchange and negotiation. Co-organizer Michael Zürn emphasized the central role of communication during the closing panel, while his colleague Daniel Ziblatt praised Germany, with an American perspective, for its public broadcasting and stable culture of remembrance. WZB President Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln made it clear how important it is for scientists to also develop solutions. The intensive interdisciplinary exchange is to be continued in October 2026 at the 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference.
14.10.25, GaK, kes