Dr. Šimon Bačkovský

The (More) Defensive Democracy

Russia and Ten Other Threats to Our Freedom

Russia’s attack on Ukraine has catapulted the question of the defensive potential of democracy to the foreground of public interest. However, we must not forget that tanks and missiles are not the only threat to our free society. This volume of essays is therefore devoted not only to the security threat situation in Europe, but also to several “softer” threats, at least not in the classical sense of military threats to democracy.

Transatlantic Partnership: "We would be better off learning from each other."

In the aftermath of the Cold War many in the Western countries believed that the transition towards a world of democracy, liberalism, rule of law and multilateral cooperation was irreversible. Today we are witnessing a comeback of great power rivalries, increasing danger of nuclear arms race and nationalist and authoritarian challenges to democratic societies and multilateral institutions. At the same time the bond of trust within the community of liberal democracies is weakened by populist politics and conflicting policies on trade, environment, energy, security, migration…

Internationale Summer Schools 2016

„Who are we in Europe? Challenges and Perspectives of the European Community of Values“

Die Seminarreihe der Summer Schools wurde 2016 fortgesetzt, um weiterhin interkulturelle Begegnungen zu ermöglichen und anregenden Austausch zu fördern.