The Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP) was founded 75 years ago with the aim of strengthening democracy. During this time, it has made a significant contribution to political education in Bavaria. For a good ten years now, the HfP, with TUM as its host university, has been investigating the interactions between politics and technology, thereby enabling society to meet the challenges facing democracy today. The anniversary was celebrated in the Bavarian State Parliament.
Bildarchiv Bayerischer Landtag | Foto: Stefan Obermeier After the National Socialist dictatorship, it was by no means certain that a stable democracy would emerge in Germany. The founders of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP) were convinced that this would require people who were not only committed to community, discourse and compromise, but who also had a profound knowledge and deep understanding of how a democratic state functions. They had in mind not only future civil servants, but also citizens from all spheres of life who have an impact on society as a whole.
The university was founded in 1950 on the initiative of the USA. Financed by the Bavarian State Parliament, it later acquired the special institutional character of an independent institution connected with a host university. Initially, the HfP was connected with the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (LMU). Since 2014, TUM has been the host university.
Quantum technologies and the energy transition
At TUM, the HfP has been fundamentally modernized and geared toward the challenges facing democracy today. The basic idea is that societal change and political action are now more closely linked than ever to technological and scientific progress. In virtually no area of politics can decisions be made competently without an understanding of rapid technological development, the possibilities of data analysis and the impact on political decision-making.
How can the development of quantum technologies be steered in a responsible direction ? Under what circumstances do people trust health information during a pandemic? To what extent do disinformation campaigns on social media influence political convictions? How can the transition to a sustainable energy supply succeed despite an energy crisis?
Scientists at HfP have provided important answers to these and many other questions at the interface of politics and technology, natural sciences and medicine, both in research and in the lecture hall. As early as their bachelor's program in political science, students learn about topics from TUM's broad range of subjects. In the master's program in politics & technology , they then specialize in an interdisciplinary field such as Data & Society or Sustainability.
"A school for democracy"
Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament, emphasizes: "The Munich School of Politics and Public Policy is also a school for democracy! I am firmly convinced that explanation can prevent outrage. Here, the university asks questions and tries to provide answers through research and teaching. On behalf of the Bavarian State Parliament and also on a personal level, I would like to say thank you and congratulations!"
The Bavarian Minister of Science Markus Blume says: "Congratulations on 75 years of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy! The HfP can look back on a winding but undoubtedly unique success story. Founded in 1950 by the Bavarian State Parliament, it was both a response and a mission: to understand, live and teach democracy. It is a school, a forge, and a hinge between theory and practice - not an ivory tower, but a driving force of political reality. Since its reform and integration into TUM, it has been a think tank for the 21st century, a unique interlocking of society, politics, and technology. Especially in these challenging times, we need the HfP all the more. it inspires enthusiasm for political science as well as enthusiasm for our political system and educates people who want to shape and defend democracy. As was the case 75 years ago, the HfP remains a servant of democracy today. Many thanks, especially to the Bavarian State Parliament, which sees the HfP as the 'university of the State Parliament' and has supported it with maximum commitment for decades. Ad multos annos!"
"Democracy cannot be taken for granted," says Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM. "In changing times, it must be continually relearned, relived, further developed and defended. This makes it all the more important to shape the interwoven challenges of technology, governance, international relations and social needs. With this mandate, the HfP will become a reference point for strengthening democracy."
"At the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy, we offer a unique study profile that combines political science with the range of subjects offered at a technical university," says Prof. Urs Gasser, Rector of the HfP. "In this way, we enable young people not only to shape democracy and its institutions, but also the technologies that define our time. This allows today's generations of graduates to help secure the future viability of democracy in the spirit of the founders."
