At the Max Planck Society's Annual Meeting, an expert panel engaged in a lively discussion on the historical and contemporary causes of the crises facing democracy, as well as potential strategies for overcoming them
In Germany, people are increasingly turning towards far-right or right-wing populist parties. Hedwig Richter, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the Bundeswehr University Munich, and Steffen Mau, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Sciences in Göttingen, discussed why this is happening and what can be done about it.
Democracy was the central theme of the Annual Meeting of the Max Planck Society (MPG). Max Planck President Patrick Cramer opened by establishing a historical framework, drawing a line from the first German parliament in Frankfurt's Paulskirche in 1848 to the birth of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) in 1948, when the Minister-Presidents of the western states received a mandate in Frankfurt from the Western Allies to convene a constituent assembly. Frankfurt was therefore a highly fitting location to discuss the future of democracy. In his welcoming address, Boris Rhein, the Minister-President of Hesse, emphasised the importance of science and the Max Planck Society to Hesse and Frankfurt: "The Max Planck Society stands for foundational and cutting-edge research at the highest level. By founding modern quantum physics, Max Planck laid the groundwork for technologies that have become indispensable today. His name stands for verification over assertion, and for freedom over prescription. Hesse and Max Planck are linked by a strong bond of scientific curiosity and excellent research. We have a wealth of bright minds in our state, and these are the minds we must invest in."
"That democracies are in crisis is not merely a perceived reality, but one backed by data: according to The Economist's Democracy Index, only 45 per cent of the global population now live in a democracy, and in the latest 2025 survey, a mere 25 per cent of all countries were classified as "full democracies". In his introductory keynote address, Patrick Cramer raised further aspects, emphasising: "Democracy is not a given. Yet, it often feels to us like a form of gravity - it is simply there. But as with gravity, the same applies to democracy: much of what is familiar to us only comes into existence because of it." The President went on to emphasise that science is a pillar of a resilient democracy, alongside an independent judiciary and free media, and is essential for the continued development of society. "However, to fulfil its role, science requires not only reliable public funding and increasing private engagement, but also freedom, openness, and diversity. That is why I say today, in no uncertain terms: we will oppose anti-science political actors who attack our civil liberties and autonomy with the utmost resolve."
Panel discussion - the future of democracy
In Germany, too, people are increasingly turning towards far-right or right-wing populist parties. Why this is happening and what can be done about it was discussed by Hedwig Richter, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the Bundeswehr University Munich, and Steffen Mau, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Sciences in Göttingen. The discussion was moderated by the journalist and television presenter Cécile Schortmann.
During the lively debate, the current crises facing democracy were addressed - crises which, according to Hedwig Richter, are inherent to democracy itself. However, although the history of democracy has always been accompanied by recurring predictions of its demise, the current situation is particularly serious. Steffen Mau provided more concrete analysis, identifying several internal and external pressures: declining participation, a loss of trust in politics and political parties, shifting structures of representation, a widening wealth gap, and the growing influence of authoritarian opponents of liberal democracies. These factors, he argued, mean that democratic cohesion no longer resonates with everyone; democracy is no longer universally perceived as inherently "superior".
Among the questions discussed were what politicians can reasonably expect from the public today, and the extent to which politics and society must abandon familiar and cherished patterns of behaviour in a rapidly changing world. The debate also explored why it is crucial for people to feel that engagement is shared and that burdens are distributed fairly. The panel participants highlighted the importance of more moments of collective reassurance - such as in early 2025, when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to demonstrate for freedom and diversity, showing that democracy has more supporters than opponents. The quiet majority must become more vocal, a point on which all participants agreed.
Note: A recording of the discussion will be published on the Max Planck YouTube channel early next week.
