See the Conference Programme HERE

The German Politics Specialist Group (GPSG) of the UK Political Studies Association (PSA) is inviting abstract submissions for a two-day, in-person conference with a key focus on Germany’s “militant democracy” (wehrhafte Demokratie). Papers on German politics more broadly are also welcome. The conference will be held on 19 and 20 September (Thursday and Friday) at the University of the West of Scotland, Paisley.

The conference aims to look back at 75 years of wehrhafte Demokratie and examine past and contemporary challenges and innovations to Germany’s democracy more broadly. Amidst increasing challenges from radical and extremist parties, investigating the institutional and societal mechanisms to protect and innovate democracy is maybe more important than ever. Germany’s “militant democracy” provides a fruitful background for doing so. As a response to the collapse of Weimar democracy and the Nazi dictatorship, militant democracy has been largely successful whilst not without political controversies. Aiming to examine its origins, development, and consequences, relevant topics include but are not limited to:

• the historical origins and development of the concept of “militant democracy”,
• the legal and political manifestations of militant democracy, including past and contemporary debates around bans on political parties,
• the economic, social, and political consequences of militant democracy,
• the impact of militant democracy on the development of Germany’s civil society,
• the efficacy of militant democracy for inter- and transnational challenges such as war and climate change,
• militant democracy in comparative perspective and alternative paths to strong and sustainable liberal democracies,
• the place of militant democracy in Germany’s collective memory, and
• the role of militant democracy in political contestation and social movement politics.