Forum Democracy in the Frankfurt Citizens' Salon - The Ailing Society: Where Has the Courageous Citizen Gone?

The series "Forum Democracy in the Frankfurt Citizens' Salon" addresses themes that touch the heart of our free way of life and liberal democracy - in a discourse that permits criticism and self-criticism, respects the other's position, and allows ideas to compete freely. The host is Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ackermann, sociologist and political scientist and director of the John Stuart Mill Institute in Bad Homburg, who invites guests from politics, academia, and culture.

This time the central question is: Has society become sick - or is it merely complaining? Sick leave for depression is rising dramatically, "safe spaces" are being declared, and ever more "victim groups" demand special attention. At the same time, willingness to work and innovative capacity are declining. Should the state now fix everything?

The guest is Prof. Dr. Tilman Allert, professor emeritus of sociology and social psychology with a focus on educational sociology at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. His recent book "Elementary Forms of Social Life" was published in Tübingen in 2024.