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