The German population is facing multiple crises, leading to feelings of insecurity and disappointment, and growing skepticism towards democratic institutions. Living in a ‘forgotten region’ or feeling marginalized can result in loneliness, resentment, and even support for anti-democratic views.
This discussion paper shares findings from recent field research in Germany, exploring the connections between demographic changes, territorial inequalities, democratic unease and the rise of right-wing populist and far-right movements. It highlights successful local initiatives that promote democracy and examines the important role of emotions such as feeling powerless, insecure, isolated, being ignored by politicians or resentful towards other social groups.
Based on interviews with experts from academia, politics, and civil society, the paper looks at inspiring local efforts to counter anti-democratic tendencies, offering practical insights to strengthen democratic resilience and empower civil society at the local level.
The project “Regional population diversity and social cohesion in local contexts” is funded by Stiftung Mercator.