Cosmopolitanism in Practice: Global Citizenship Put to the Test of Action

Book Presentation as Part of the “Contemporary History in Dialogue” Series

Can cosmopolitanism be more than a utopia? Not according to constitutional law scholar Carl Schmitt: cosmopolitanism vanishes into thin air as soon as one attempts to put it into practice; it is a worldview that depoliticizes. Yet in the period between World War I and World War II, from 1919 to 1939, there were projects in which cosmopolitanism was taken seriously and attempts were made to put it into practice. One such endeavor raised many questions: How does one establish a common language that enables humanity to come together as one? Can children and young people be educated to become global citizens? How is a future world government supposed to win the loyalty of its officials if they are simultaneously bound to their countries of origin?

In “Cosmopolitanism in Practice: World Citizenship Put to the Test of Action, 1919–1939” (Campus 2025), historian Malte König examines the practical effectiveness of cosmopolitan ideas in European politics during the interwar period. The focus is not on utopian ideals, but on the concrete implementation of cosmopolitanism in the fields of communication, education, lived global community, human rights, and the League of Nations.

Malte König’s presentation of the book will be followed by a commentary by Isabella Löhr (Freie Universität Berlin). The subsequent discussion will be moderated by Dierk Hoffmann (Institute for Contemporary History, Munich–Berlin).

Admission is free. Registration is requested.

The event will be made available as a podcast afterward for those who wish to listen to it later.

In cooperation with the Institute for Contemporary History Munich–Berlin.Translated with DeepL

Price info: Admission is free.

Booking: Please register.

Next date:

• Date Tuesday, 29/September/2026 18:00 bis 20:00
• Venue Forum Willy Brandt Berlin
• Address Behrenstraße 15, 10117 Berlin-Mitte