Baden-Württemberg's 'Politics of Being Heard' Boosts Trust in Democracy
Baden-Württemberg's participatory approach to democracy, the 'politics of being heard,' has led to high public trust and satisfaction with democratic processes in the state, according to recent survey data.
- • 64% of citizens prefer political decisions made by elected representatives after public dialogue.
- • 84% support the politics of being heard across party lines.
- • Baden-Württemberg's democracy satisfaction at 63% exceeds the national average of 53%.
- • The state has developed extensive citizen participation structures since 2011.
Key details
In Baden-Württemberg, the participatory model termed the 'politics of being heard' has significantly strengthened public trust in democracy, according to the latest Democracy Monitor released on November 4, 2025. Ministerpräsident Winfried Kretschmann introduced this approach to foster increased citizen engagement by ensuring that elected representatives make critical decisions only after robust public dialogue. The survey reveals that 64% of residents support decisions by their representatives following citizen input, while only 9% prefer decisions without such engagement. Overall, 84% of respondents back the politics of being heard, transcending party lines, and an overwhelming 97% believe its continuation under future governments is essential.
This participatory framework, which lies at the heart of Baden-Württemberg's democratic process since 2011, includes structures like the Alliance for Participation and various laws and platforms that facilitate citizen involvement. Despite a general national decline in satisfaction with democracy, the state maintains a higher satisfaction rate of 63% as opposed to the national average of 53% in 2025. The Democracy Monitor yearly gauges public perception, demonstrating that successful dialogue processes directly correlate with trust in political institutions.
The sustained efforts in citizen participation have not only enhanced democratic satisfaction within the state but also gained recognition across Germany and the European Union for their effective model of inclusive governance.