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Consensus or conflict – how polarized is our society?

Ninth event in the Wittenstein Foundation’s “enter the future” series


29.10.2024



Economic inequality, immigration, the recognition of sexual and ethnic diversity, climate policy – there is more and more talk of a “split” regarding many of society’s major issues. Yet is public opinion really so divergent? Or are conflicts merely sparked by certain trigger points, where otherwise peaceful consensus prevails? Professor Steffen Mau, arguably one of Germany’s most sought-after social commentators today, will address these and similar questions at the ninth “enter the future” event on November 6 at the TauberPhilharmonie in Weikersheim.


“When a discussion is no longer objective but driven by emotions and people suddenly attribute themselves contrary to expectations given their normal political preferences” – this is how Steffen Mau defines the breaking points in public debates and the trigger points of society that provided the title for his SPIEGEL bestseller published in fall 2023. Just one day on from the 2024 US presidential election, this issue could scarcely be more relevant and it is well worth taking a closer look at whether divisions can literally be talked into existence – in short, intentionally invoked.


Old and new inequalities


Steffen Mau, Professor of Macrosociology at the Humboldt University of Berlin since 2015 and author of numerous books, conducts research into migration, borders and inequality, to name but a few. His analyses are often based on seemingly disparate societal issues: Are you fed up with dancing on eggshells just to avoid saying the wrong thing when it comes to gender or racism? Is it discriminatory to mention immigration and crime in the same breath? Or should our society instead devote far more thought to how everyday forms of speech promote inequality? Is it our duty to make sustainability a top priority in our everyday lives, or are we Germans already doing more than the rest of the world anyway?


These questions all have one thing in common: they take inequality-related issues to extremes in a way that induces people to adopt very vehement, irreconcilable and often highly emotional positions. This is especially true when “push comes to shove”, for example because the consequences for their own lives are manifest. Equality yes, but no gender-sensitive language, please. Environmental protection yes, but who pays for the costs? In his keynote, Steffen Mau will undertake a 360-degree survey of the conflicts surrounding old and new inequalities and in doing so debunk many myths.


The event will wind up with a discussion, facilitated by Benedikt Hofmann (Editor-in-Chief of MM Maschinenmarkt), in which all those attending – whether connected in a video conference or there in person – are invited to enrich the evening with their questions, their ideas, their thoughts and their contributions.


Free registration up until November 4


As always, the ninth event in the “enter the future” series is open to the public at no cost. Bad Mergentheim bookshop Moritz & Lux will be there too with a book table, where Steffen Mau will be available for a signing after the event.


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© Gesine Born / Association of Donors     



The speaker: Professor Steffen Mau, Professor of Macrosociology at the Humboldt University of Berlin and SPIEGEL bestselling author.







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