TD: volume 20, issue 2023, 2, page 193–222

Abstract

Es folgt die Zusammenfassung in englischer Sprache following the article short description

Political foundations are relevant actors in the civil protection of democracy in Germany. In order to analyse their contribution to this task, this article considers the self-image, the definitions of “hostility to democracy”, the concepts used, the practical work, the influence on the public and the relationship of ten political foundations to the Verfassungsschutz. In addition to the major party foundations, the Otto Brenner, Hans Böckler and Amadeu Antonio Foundations are included in the study due to their visibility. As a result, three types of foundation emerge: the “government agency twin”, the “occasional democracy protector” and the “anti-fascist activist”.

TD: volume 17, issue 2020, 1, page 97–118

Abstract / Full text

Es folgt die Zusammenfassung in englischer Sprache following the article short description

The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) continues to captivate Comparative Politics: Whereas the party’s right-wing populist nature is known to be widely undisputed, its potential to transform the democratic system remains highly contentious. In addition to analyses that focus on the populist and extremist character of the AfD, this contribution seeks to identify the antidemocratic potential of the party on the basis of Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt’s “key indicators of authoritarian behaviour”. The analysis is complemented by a critical examination of Levitsky and Ziblatt’s call for a “distancing” strategy.

Full text

TD: volume 15, issue 2018, 1, page 27–45

Abstract

Es folgt die Zusammenfassung in englischer Sprache following the article short description

In 2015/16 – at the refugee crisis’ peak – Germany was facing numerous demonstrations and acts of violence – such as arson attacks, common assaults, and verbal aggressions – directly or indirectly related to the social group of refugees, their shelters, and/or the federal government’s refugee policy. This article explores to which degree right-wing extremists – both partisan and non-partisan – were capable of instrumentalising the anti-asylum protests in all East German states for their own political purposes. After comparatively delineating the number of anti-asylum protests (as well as the number of participants) influenced by right-wing extremists, this contribution depicts the extremists’ strategies, their aims, and their mediate and immediate political impact. Unlike the majority of media coverage, the data seem to reveal that Saxony was far from being an exceptional case in Germany’s east, but an “average” region instead.

TD: volume 13, issue 2016, 2, page 303–306

review

TD: volume 7, issue 2010, 1, page 151–153

review