Democracy and Dictatorship: The Past and Present of a Distinction

With author Claudia Gatzka

“Merkel dictatorship,” “dictatorship of opinion,” a looming “eco-dictatorship”—75 years after its founding, the democratic quality of the Federal Republic of Germany is repeatedly being called into question in current debates. Even the head of the Forsa polling institute warns of a “dictatorship of minorities.” But this is nothing new.
The distinction between democracy and dictatorship—as well as the blurring of their boundaries—has been a recurring theme in German democratic history since the early 20th century.

In “Democracy and Dictatorship: The History and Present of Drawing a Line” (Hamburger Edition), Claudia Gatzka traces the logics and criteria underlying this distinction, the political functions associated with it, and the instances where drawing this line was no longer straightforward. To this end, she examines everyday experiences and political communication at rallies, in parliaments, in the press, and in letters from citizens during times of transition or the threat of upheaval: from the German Empire to the Weimar Republic and then to National Socialism; in the Federal Republic around 1968; and from the SED dictatorship to democracy in the (unified) Federal Republic.

At the open-air event, the author will read several passages and provide valuable background information on her book.

Afterward, enjoy jazz music by the Philip Andronic Trio.Translated with DeepL

Price info: Admission is free; please register.

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 27/August/2026 18:30
• Venue Friedhof der Märzgefallenen
• Address Ernst-Zinna-Weg, 10249 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg