U!REKA DiT Lecture Series: Democracy under Threat

Alexander Gallas (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Michael Keaney (Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki)

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave a concise definition of the democratic ideal: “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.  But how does this ideal square with life under capitalism? And where in society is democracy present or absent, and how can it be strengthened?

26/11/2026, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (hybrid: online & Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Room number BCN-321): The Crisis of Democracy Revisited: What Can We Learn from the Past 50 years? 

Michael Keaney (Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki), Chair: Alexander Gallas (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

In 1975, the Trilateral Commission published an analysis of Western countries’ “ungovernability” or “excess” of democracy. Today, few would argue seriously that there is an excess of democracy. Nevertheless, ungovernability is more widely acknowledged amid a profound and deepening crisis of legitimacy. Whereas 50 years ago a powerful organised labour movement demanded greater workplace representation or industrial democracy, 2026 is characterised by a pervasive and intensifying social insecurity. Predictable recourse to nationalism and militarism, appeals to imagined glorious pasts, and assignment of blame to convenient scapegoats all offer, at best, temporary distraction, but ultimately serve to deepen popular discontent. How did we reach this historical moment? And what is to be done?

07/12/2026, 12:00-13:00 (CET) (online): Democracy, Corruption and the Shadow Economy: Do Countries That Look More Corrupt Actually Have Larger Shadow Economies?

Fernando C. Gaspar (Polytechnic University of Lisbon), Chair: Raul Gschrey (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

Corruption is commonly measured through perceptions, but how closely do those perceptions correspond to economic behavior? This lecture examines the relationship between perceived corruption, institutional trust and the size of the shadow economy across countries. It asks whether countries that appear more corrupt also display more informal economic activity and explores what divergences between perception and economic evidence can tell us about institutional legitimacy, tax morale, and democratic governance.

14/12/2026, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online): A Threat to Liberal Democracy  

Stefanie Wöhl (University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna), Chair: Alexander Gallas (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

The contribution delves into questions discussed recently in the book by Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff on Muskism and takes a gender turn on it, discussing why cyberlibertarianism has a special vision of the state and democracy, and which gendered effects emerge from their vision of future, AI-related capitalism.

18/01/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online): Enhancing Democracy through Affordable Rental Housing: Policy Status and Needs in Europe

Elisabeth Springler (University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna), Chair: Fernando C. Gaspar (Polytechnic University of Lisbon)

Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable across Europe, particularly in urban areas where rents and house prices have risen sharply in the past years. These developments are driven not only by market fundamentals but also by speculative price mark-ups. As a result, housing has become both a key driver of widening income and wealth inequalities and a growing source of political pressure. Surveys such as the Austrian Democracy Monitor show that rising living costs are a major public concern, while increasing inequality weakens perceptions of democratic representation, especially among lower-income groups, who are also most affected by rising housing costs. Based on these developments, the lecture examines policy measures to expand affordable rental housing, drawing on experiences from selected European countries.

25/01/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online): Relational AI for Caring Democracies?

Carin Rustema (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) & Anastasia Paschalidou (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Stefanie Wöhl (University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna)The alarming economic, ecological and social impacts of AI systems developed by major tech giants are increasingly raising serious concerns about how AI is changing our societies. These structural changes fundamentally reshape social communication and cooperation, heightening the risk of emotional manipulation and harm by AI. In our talk, we argue for AI that is attentive to power imbalances, challenges discrimination and supports socially, ecologically and economically sustainable forms of cooperation. Drawing on different examples, we explore both the challenges and possibilities of developing a more relational form of AI that can contribute to more caring and democratic societies.

02/02/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online):Urban Commons as Democratization Strategy

Raul Gschrey (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Minna-Kristiina Ruokonen-Engler (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

Urban commons are resources that are created and managed collectively by city communities. They range from public gardens and parks to communal kitchens and cultural initiatives, and they hold great potential for democratizing society. However, they are also vulnerable to disruption, in particular in urban environments affected by gentrification and commercialization. The contribution explores how urban commons in theory and practice can be a driving force to strengthen democracy in urban environments, and what kind of challenges emerge.

09/02/2027, 12:00-13:00 (CET) (online): Strengthening Democracy in Rural Areas? (Micro-)Historical Path Dependencies

Michaela Köttig, Viktoria Rösch and Paula Matthies (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Stephanie Mehl (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

In our current research project, we examine how democratic and anti-democratic attitudes emerge, persist and evolve within rural communities over time. From a micro-historical perspective, we investigate the historical formation and intergenerational transmission of political experiences, interpretations, and practices. Drawing on our experiences with local history workshops, our talk critically reflects on how local histories, family narratives, institutional traditions and practices of remembering and silencing shape contemporary understandings of democracy and democratic dialogue in rural communities.

16/02/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online): Creating and Preserving Spaces of Democracy

Maximilian Pichl (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Timo von Wirth (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)Democracy is not just a mode of government; it emerges when people meet and engage with each other locally, for example in youth clubs, libraries, neighbourhood associations and community centres. These spaces of democracy are crucial for social cohesion and political participation and allow people to actively transform their social environments. This contribution discusses how the crisis of democracy and the rise of the far right can be countered by creating and preserving such spaces of democracy.

22/02/2027, 16:00-17:00 (CET) (online): Inclusive Democracy Challenged?  

Minna-Kristiina Ruokonen-Engler (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences) in conversation with Vera Jost (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences) and Karen Van Bastelaere (HOGENT University of Applied Sciences), Chair: Alexander Gallas (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)

At its best, democracy embraces diversity, combats discrimination, and fosters equality and social inclusion. In recent years, however, these principles have been increasingly challenged by anti-democratic and authoritarian voices. How do higher education institutions within U!REKA European University Alliance respond to this backlash? How are diversity and minority rights addressed, what challenges are currently faced, and which strategies have been developed or need to be developed to safeguard the idea and practice of democratic inclusion?

Alexander Gallas, PhD, is a Political Scientist and Professor of the Organisation and Transformation of Welfare State Security Systems in the Faculty of Health and Social Work at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Anastasia Paschalidou, Dr., is a Philosopher, Educational Scientist and Professor of Non-school Youth Education, Political Education, Youth Social Work, Youth Support and School in the Faculty of Health and Social Work at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Carin Rustema, MSc., MBA, is a Program Developer and Researcher at the Centre of Expertise Just City at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Elisabeth Springler, Dr. is an Economist, a Professor and the Director of the Master programmes “International Economy and Management” and “European Economic Policy” at the University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna as well as a member of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council and the Austrian Financial Stability Board.

Fernando C. Gaspar, PhD, is an Economist and a Professor at ISCAL – Lisbon Accounting and Business School, Polytechnic University of Lisbon – with a research focus on economic transitions, institutional change, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Karen Van Bastelaere is a Sustainability Coordinator at HOGENT University of Applied Sciences.

Maximilian Pichl, Dr., is a Legal and Political Scholar and Professor of Law in Social Work with a Focus on Democracy, Participation and the Rule of Law in the Faculty of Health and Social Work at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Michaela Köttig, Dr., is a Sociologist and a Professor of Communication, Interviewing Techniques and Conflict Management in the Faculty of Health and Social Work and Head of the Competence Centre for Social Intervention Research at the University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt. She is a Co-coordinator of the U!REKA Network “Democracies in Transformation” (DiT).

Michael Keaney is a Senior Lecturer in Political Economy at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki. He is part of the U!REKA Lab: Urban Commons.

Minna-Kristiina Ruokonen-Engler, Dr. is a Sociologist and Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Research, Academic Careers and Transfer (FAKT) at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. She is a Co-coordinator of the U!REKA Network “Democracies in Transformation” (DiT).

Paula Emily Matthies, M.A., is a Sociologist and a Research Associate in the joint research projects GERDEA and DEMOREG at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and a doctoral candidate at Goethe University in Frankfurt.

Raul Gschrey, Dr., is an Artist, Curator and Professor for New Media and Media Pedagogy in the Faculty of Health and Social Work at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. He holds a U!REKA Innovation Professorship and is part of the U!REKA Lab: Urban Commons and the U!REKA Lab: Co-Creativity in Social Arts.

Stephanie Mehl, Dr., is a Psychologist and the Professor of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Social Work and Addiction in the Faculty of Health and Social Work at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Stefanie Wöhl, Dr. is a Professor of Political Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society BFI Vienna.

Timo von Wirth, Dr. is a Professor for Sustainability in the Faculty of Business and Law at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Vera Jost, Dr., is a Diversity Policies Advisor and a U!REKA Inclusion Officer in the Equity and Diversity Unit at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Viktoria Rösch, M.A., is a Sociologist and a Research Associate in the joint research projects GERDEA and DEMOREG at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and a doctoral candidate at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.