12. März 2026. Andreas Wirsching: Democracy and violence - a historical perspective

From a historical vantage point, democracy denotes a system of government founded on constitutional statutes and institutionalized frameworks of civic participation. Yet, beyond its formal structures, democracy has always been associated with movement, hope and promise — and all too often, disappointment. Consequently, a persistent tension has emerged between »formal democracy« and the ideals of democratic justice, equality and freedom. Violence, in this context, assumes a multifaceted role within modern democracies. It emerges during crises of democratic revolution or consolidation as well as periods of state repression. On the other hand, it stems from the democratic state itself—whether in the enforcement of law and order or the preservation of entrenched power hierarchies, which may entail systemic forms of coercion. This lecture will explore historical dimensions of the topic through concrete examples, examining the tension between democratic government and persistent ideals and promises of democratic equality. Andreas Wirsching, Historiker, Professor emeritus; von 2011 bis 2025 Direktor des Instituts für Zeitgeschichte München-Berlin und Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Neueste Geschichte der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Moderation: Dieter Gosewinkel, Historiker und Rechtswissenschaftler; Senior Research Fellow des Hamburger Instituts für Sozialforschung, Professor für Neuere Geschichte, FU Berlin