Eva Ricarda Lautsch & Uwe Jun

In the organizer's words:

The polarization of society

Between dialogue and division: society in tension - polarization as a challenge for democracy and the media

In dialog

How do social polarization and political division arise - and how can democracies and the media deal with them? In this event, Prof. Dr. Uwe Jun (party researcher at the University of Trier) and Dr. Eva Ricarda Lautsch (political editor at ZEIT ONLINE) will discuss the causes, consequences and possible solutions to this challenge. Prof. Dr. Uwe Jun will shed light on the phenomenon of polarization from a political science perspective: What issues and dynamics are driving it? What consequences does it have for parties, political processes and society? Dr. Eva Ricarda Lautsch provides insights into journalistic practice: How does polarization influence reporting? What responsibility do the media have in dealing with extreme positions and populism? After two short keynote speeches, the two experts will enter into a dialog and discuss with the audience. How can a constructive culture of debate be promoted? What role do the media and political actors play? Actively shape the discussion with your questions and thoughts!

The event will take place on Saturday, 24.05.2025, from 16:45 to 18:15 in the New University (Universitätsplatz 1, 69117 Heidelberg) - the exact room or lecture hall has not yet been communicated to us by the lecture hall administration... Tickets for the 36th Heidelberg Symposium will probably be available online in our ticket store from mid-April at the latest.

Dr. Eva Ricarda Lautsch is a lawyer and journalist. She studied law in Heidelberg, Berlin and Istanbul. She has been political editor at ZEIT ONLINE since 2024. First in law and now as a journalist, she deals with the topics of law and democracy.

Prof. Dr. Uwe Jun is Professor of Political Science (Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany) at the University of Trier and spokesperson for the "Party Research" working group of the German Political Science Association (DVPW).

In cooperation with the Heidelberg Symposium

Tickets can be purchased shortly via the Heidelberg Symposium website or on site.