Report on the event StreitBar „Ihr da oben, wir da unten – ist Politik noch attraktiv für Bürger?"
On November 7, 2023, OvGU hosted a new edition of the StreitBar discussion format on the topic of „Ihr da oben, wir da unten – ist Politik noch attraktiv für Bürger?" ( in English: "You up there, we down there - is politics still attractive for citizens?"). The discussion centered on the question of what it means for democracy when acceptance of political decisions decreases, citizens withdraw into the private sphere and the general public no longer feels the desire to participate in politics.
(left to right) Bert Knoblauch, Tanja Gärber, Ulli Wittstock, Dr. Johannes Gerken, Prof. Dr. Thomas Kliche
In the course of the debate, different perspectives on the causes and consequences of citizens' growing alienation from politics were discussed. Dr. Johannes Gerken from the European Studies team was part of the panel. He discussed with Prof. Dr. Thomas Kliche, political psychologist at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Tanja Gärber, psychology student at OvGU, and the Mayor of Schönebeck/Elbe, Bert Knoblauch. The StreitBar was moderated by Ulli Wittstock from MDR.
A detailed MDR event report can be found here.