• Digital Democracy: The Impact of Digitalization on Politics and Governance

    Virtual Discussions

    National governments are increasingly dominated by political polarization, crisis management, and partisan gridlock, often rendering them unable to join forces to address common global challenges. In view of inaction at the federal level, subnational actors such as states, communities, and cities have often stepped up to fill this void left by traditional nation-states. This trend...

  • Transatlantic Renewal? A New Era for German-American Relations

    Virtual Discussions

    A virtual discussion with Ricklef Beutin, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy, and moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President of the American Council on Germany.Ricklef Beutin assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, in July 2019. Prior to this, he was a Visiting Fellow in the Europe...

  • State Elections Kick off Germany’s Superwahljahr

    Virtual Discussions

    On Sunday, 14 March 2021, Germany will hold state elections in the western Länder of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Although the states are relatively small – with roughly 7.7 million and 3.1 eligible voters, respectively – these elections mark the beginning of Germany’s Superwahljahr, which will culminate with federal elections in late September and the formation of a new...

  • Economic Recovery, Trade Unions, and the Future of Work

    Virtual Discussions

    The pandemic has forced companies around the globe to adapt their business models. Due to public health concerns and lockdowns, many companies had to lay off or furlough workers. In Germany, Kurzarbeit policies softened the economic blow. With the rollout of vaccines and the passage of economic recovery bills, what does the future hold for organized labor,...