Paradoxes of Democracy

From a Jewish perspective, with the emergence of nation states in the 19th century, a democratically oriented constitution and a functioning constitutional state are fundamental to ensuring a secure existence and protection against discrimination. Equality before the law is only guaranteed in the context of a constitutional state.

However, in view of the high popularity that far-right and populist parties enjoy today, the question arises as to how much influence a populist party in government could exert on democratic structures.

The panel will focus on the constitution and the protection of the constitution: What role can and should the secret service play in the context of attacks on the rule of law?

On the other hand, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has to deal with questions and criticism of its working methods time and again: Is working with confidential informants a legitimate means of preventing criminal offenses? To what extent can minorities rely on the Office for the Protection of the Constitution? And is interference in the fundamental rights of individuals democratically justifiable if it can prevent crimes?

Panel: Stephan Jochim Kramer (President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution), Dr. Reut Yael Paz (legal historian and international law expert), among others

Moderated by: Henrike Roßbach (Süd­deutsche Zeitung)