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Democracy Under Pressure – Why Western Societies Are Becoming Increasingly Irritated

Name: Democracy Under Pressure – Why Western Societies Are Becoming Increasingly Irritated
Start: 2027-01-14T18:00:00+01:00
End: 2027-01-14T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Hauptbahnhofstrasse 8, 4500 Solothurn, Switzerland

Hauptbahnhofstrasse 8, 4500 Solothurn, Switzerland
Solothurn, Switzerland
Thu, January 14, 2027 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
Thu, January 21, 2027 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm)

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Description

Democratic societies today often appear exhausted, irritated, and polarized. Trust in politics, media, and institutions is declining, debates are becoming more aggressive, and social media amplify outrage and simplification. At the same time, many people feel that the societal center is becoming more fragile and shared truths are disappearing. The course examines the causes of this development and asks why Western democracies are currently under such strong pressure. What role do economic insecurity, digital media, identity politics, cultural conflicts, and the feeling of constant overwhelm play? Why are populist movements gaining influence worldwide? Why are political discussions increasingly emotional and uncompromising? The first evening focuses on loss of trust, social media, “anger politics,” and the mechanisms of modern polarization. The course also highlights changes in public discourse in the digital age and why outrage often attracts more attention than rationality. The second evening is dedicated to the future of democratic systems. Can liberal democracies remain stable in the long term? What historical parallels exist? How do crises, geopolitical tensions, and social fragmentation change our political systems? And what possibilities exist to strengthen democratic culture and social cohesion? Course leader: Dr. phil. Gunnar Henrich, M.A., political scientist, expert on the People's Republic of China

Highlights

Course leader: Dr. phil. Gunnar Henrich
Key topics: loss of trust, social media, anger politics
Two evenings with discussions on the future of democratic systems

General Information

The course examines the challenges facing Western democracies and explores the causes of social polarization. Over two evenings, topics such as the influence of social media and the stability of democratic systems are addressed.