Demokratien unter Druck: Globalisierung und innergesellschaftlicher Frieden

Abstract

The peace that prevailed in Western Europe after 1945 was determined by the liberal peace theory as the result of a process that was accompanied by democratization and increasing distributive justice. In Europe, however, the scope of anti-liberal movements has increased significantly in recent years. Islamist groups have gained considerable popularity, as have anti-liberal movements on the right of the political spectrum. Democratically elected governments have a number of means to react to these developments. Depending on which instruments are predominantly used, democratic constitutional conditions can be undermined. Although liberal democracies have fallen into a more severe crisis than anticipated by liberal peace theories, their fundamental insights remain valid: the preservation of individual liberties, the protection of minorities, and pluralism of values and interests remain to be the only appropriate answer.