Publications

The vast majority of people expect countries to work together to solve global problems. But they only reluctantly support the G20 and its role in this effort. People don’t know enough about it, and many haven’t formed an opinion of its work.

Brussels wants to improve the European citizens’ initiative. The Parliament, Commission and Council agree on many – but not all – points. Not lowering the age required to participate from 18 to 16 is would be a missed chance for the EU.

The European citizens’ initiative is being reformed – and that’s a good thing. To date, the media have hardly reported on this young participation instrument. But if the citizens’ initiative is to have any impact in Brussels, it needs more public awareness.

Ten things to know about the European citizens’ initiative. How it works, who is involved, media visibility, the view of organisers and much more.

Political parties and governments are better than their reputation. This also holds true for the previous German grand coalition composed of the CDU/CSU and SPD: Of the 188 total promises in the 2013 coalition agreement, almost 80 percent were either fully or partially...

Low and socially divided turnout harms Germany´s Democracy. To vote by mail - the only flexible way to cast one´s Ballot - citizens still have to apply before each election. If this hurdle were removed, voter turnout could go back up.

Voter turnout in Germany is decreasing and no longer socially representative. However, the majority of non-voters can still be approached and mobilized. There isn’t any simple, fail-safe solution for doing this. But by addressing the core issues of who votes, how we vote and...

The first-ever estimates of voter turnout of the social milieus, for the 2013 federal elections in Germany, show that the upper social class has a voter-participation rate up to 40 percent higher than that of the socially weaker milieus. The socially disadvantaged milieus...

As Germany is facing enormous infrastructural challenges, citizens want to have a say and know what will be build and why. If Germany’s infrastructure-renewal efforts are to succeed, politicians and public administration need to fi nd new ways to get citizens fully involved...

Younger people today make political decisions based more

on pragmatic concerns and their own short-term needs than

older people do.