"European bailouts and democracy - parliaments without power?" - This question will be the subject of a lecture by Prof. Dr Johann Kannankulam, Professor of Political Economy and European Integration at the University of Marburg, on Wednesday 24 October at 6.30 pm at the university.
Kannankulam's lecture marks the start of the "Democracy in Crisis" series, which will focus on the so-called rescue measures for the financial crisis in Europe. It is aimed at teachers, academics and those interested in politics. The individual events can be recognised as teacher training.
Statehood and democracy have changed noticeably: Transnational governance in expert bodies beyond parliaments and the public sphere is calling into question the traditional ways of democratic decision-making. At the same time, the opportunities for political participation are limited for many people. Social closures are increasing and opportunities for participation are more and more unequally distributed. The European crisis policy is not least reinforcing these trends of alienation from democracy and political distance.
Sociologists, political scientists and social scientists examine these developments in the lecture series and discuss questions such as: What are the implications of the recent decisions to "save the euro" for the people of Europe? How is democratic governance changing in the crisis? What effects do protest movements have? And how much social security does democracy need in a united Europe?
Following the specialist lectures, there will be an opportunity to discuss current developments with regard to their significance for the development of democracy, for the tasks of political education and for co-determination in the workplace.
The lecture series is organised by the Professorship for Political Education, the Department of Social Structure Analysis and European Research, the Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation - all three at the University of Oldenburg - the educational association Arbeit und Leben Nordwest and the German Association for Political Education, Lower Saxony Regional Association.
Further dates in the series "Democracy in crisis?", Wednesdays, 6.30 pm, Building A 1 Room 0-008:
14 November: "Europe without youth (perspective) - conquering or turning away from democracy", David Bednowski (Göttingen Institute for Democracy Research)
5. December: "Protest is booming - with what effect / consequence", Prof. Dr Andreas Eis (University of Oldenburg)
23 January: "Wie viel soziale Sicherung braucht die Demokratie", Anke Prochnau (University of Frankfurt)
30 January: "Demokratie wenn es ruhig ist - in der Krise muss entschieden werden! When can we afford democracy?", Dr David Salomon (University of Siegen)
