Renewing democracy rather than abandoning it: An editorial

Democracy in Germany is facing one of its greatest tests since the founding of the Federal Republic. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that some voters today no longer vote for traditional left-wing or right-wing parties, but rather against the democratic system itself. This development should come as no surprise to anyone. It is a reflection of dwindling trust in political institutions and in democracy’s ability to bring about a tangible improvement in the lives of many people.

Yet it is often forgotten just how young democracy in Germany actually is. The Federal Republic was founded on 23 May 1949. For East Germany, however, the experience of a freely elected, pan-German democracy only began with the first pan-German federal election on 2 December 1990. This means that many East Germans can look back on less than four decades of democratic experience.

This stands in contrast to some forty years under the GDR, characterised by the dictatorship of the proletariat, or so-called ‘real existing socialism’. Even more than three decades after reunification, there are still considerable differences between East and West – economically, socially and in terms of trust in state institutions. As a result, many people are able to make a direct comparison of the systems based on their own life experiences.

Many people in the East have come to feel that the promises of reunification have only been partially fulfilled. Anyone who has experienced years of social decline, insecurity or the feeling of not being heard politically will eventually lose trust. Hopelessness is dangerous, because those who no longer have hope also lose their fear of radical change. This is precisely where we find ourselves, and this is why authoritarian and populist forces are gaining influence.

The challenge is renewal

The political debate is often reduced to a dichotomy: democracy or an authoritarian state. Yet this alternative falls short. The real challenge lies in renewing democracy. The political Left, in particular, has a duty here to credibly advocate for democratic socialism – not as an authoritarian alternative, but as a further development of parliamentary democracy, with greater social justice, economic co-determination and genuine citizen participation.

However, such a vision is largely absent. As a result, the left frequently leaves the protest against existing grievances to the AfD, which seeks a fundamental change to the system that could weaken democratic institutions. Those who are dissatisfied should therefore not be forced to choose solely between the status quo and authoritarian solutions.

Democracy thrives not solely on elections, but on trust between the state and its citizens. This trust is undermined when people gain the impression that political decisions are being taken against their will or that the state does not take its own obligations seriously. Legal certainty, social security and reliability are the foundations of a democratic society. If these foundations are perceived as fragile, democracy also loses credibility.

The problem with social media

At the same time, public debate is changing. Whilst social media enables everyone to express their opinion, it often gives the impression of ‘lots of opinion but little knowledge’. Complex problems are reduced to simplistic slogans.

Anyone who argues in a nuanced way quickly finds themselves caught between the fronts. Arthur Schopenhauer put it aptly: ‘What the herd hates most is the dissenter.’ Democracy, however, needs precisely those people who think for themselves, ask questions and also critically question majority opinions.

Compassion is equally important. The foundation of any civilised society lies not solely in technological progress or economic success, but in how we treat one another. ‘The beginning of civilisation is not a tool – but compassion.’ A democracy that merely manages poverty, homelessness or social decline, rather than combating them effectively, loses its moral foundation. It is no coincidence that it is said: ‘There is nothing to which people become accustomed more quickly than the misfortune of others.’ It is precisely this habituation that a democratic society must counteract.

It is about responsibility

Democracy also means responsibility. The true heroes and heroines of our time do not carry weapons, but take on responsibility – through voluntary work, in clubs, in the neighbourhood or through civic engagement. Political freedom can only be preserved if citizens are prepared to actively defend it.

Some examples of ways to help shape society can be found in the book *Weil Wegsehen keine Option ist* (*Because Looking Away Is Not an Option*), which sums it up as follows: the aim must be to transform frustration into democratic awareness and to show people that they are not alone in their concerns and that they can indeed help bring about change.

The cry of ‘We are the people’ from 1989 was more than just a slogan. It was an expression of the desire for freedom, participation and democracy. Today, the question arises once again: what remains of this aspiration? Are we a united people, or are we still shaped by the differences between East and West? Democracy must never be seen as a finished project. It must constantly renew itself, correct its mistakes and regain the trust of its citizens.

That is why the aim should not be to replace democracy with an authoritarian system, but to develop it further with courage. A good democrat pays attention not only to majorities but also to minorities. They protect human dignity, fundamental rights, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Politics is always the search for the right path – and sometimes that means abandoning a wrong path and starting afresh.

Fairer, more socially minded and closer to the people

Germany’s future will not be decided by whether we abandon democracy, but by whether we are prepared to make it fairer, more socially just and closer to the people. Only a renewed democracy can regain lost trust and restore hope to the people.

There is the world as it is, and there is the world as we would like it to be.

It is worth standing up every day to ensure that the world becomes the way we want it to be.

Richard Gauch is a recipient of the ‘Couragiert in Leipzig’ award (2013), a recipient of the ‘Active for Democracy and Tolerance’ (2012) from the Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance – Against Extremism and Violence at the Federal Agency for Civic Education, and a recipient of the ‘Civil Courage and Determined Commitment’ award from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Saxony (2017).