New Psychological Insights and Institutional Protections Aim to Strengthen Democracy in Germany

On September 2, 2026, the German Society for Psychology (DGPs) launched the second series of Policy Ultra-Briefs (PUBs) focused on strengthening democracy through psychological, social, and behavioral science insights. These twelve concise briefings address critical democratic challenges such as radicalization, polarization, civic engagement, social participation, mental health, and the influence of generative artificial intelligence on democratic opinion formation. The series emphasizes that democracy depends not only on strong institutions and universal human rights but also on interpersonal interactions, feelings of agency, and belonging. It advocates early action against radicalization and fostering civic courage, aiming to make research accessible and practical for policymakers, practitioners, and civil society actors.

Concurrently, concerns about political influence undermining scientific integrity in German universities highlight another dimension of democratic resilience. An article analyzing recent state elections in eastern Germany points to the tension between the self-politicization of science and preserving academic neutrality. The lack of explicit legal definitions of neutrality in German law, alongside political influence in university appointment processes, poses threats to academic independence. Dependence on state funding further exacerbates vulnerabilities. To counter these effects, experts propose formalizing decision-making and protecting academic autonomy, encouraging solidarity among scholars to resist authoritarian encroachments.

Together, these developments underscore the complex interplay between psychological factors, institutional independence, and democratic strength in Germany. The DGPs’ briefings and calls for university resilience form a dual strategy, linking scientific understanding with policy to safeguard democracy’s future.