University of Mannheim

Across Europe, democracies are under pressure. From France to Finland and from Norway to the Netherlands, anti‑democratic movements, political radicalization, and democratic backsliding are gaining momentum. This teaching initiative addresses these pressing issues by:

• Creating an interdisciplinary and cross‑national learning environment
• Examining the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of radicalization and anti‑democratic activism
• Reflecting on democratic resilience and how it can be strengthened in diverse European contexts

The course emphasizes comparative, empirical, and methodological diversity, aiming to deepen students’ understanding of how societal and political structures influence democratic stability.

This is envisioned as the first step in a long‑term collaboration, advancing both teaching innovation and comparative research on democratic resilience in Europe.

Profile of Potential Contributors:

We are seeking motivated collaborators from ENGAGE.EU partner universities in Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or (Survey) Methodology/Data Science to co‑develop and teach a European‑focused course on the contemporary challenges to democracy and radicalization of individuals.

Partner Contributions

We invite collaborators to:

• Design and deliver one or more course sessions (lecture, seminar, or discussion)
• Provide thematic or methodological input
• Collaborate on structuring the syllabus and learning objectives

Your national and disciplinary perspectives will enrich the course and ensure its truly European stance.

Get Involved

If you are interested in:

• Co‑teaching a unique European course on democratic backsliding and resilience
• Collaborating on innovative teaching formats
• Expanding your institution’s engagement in ENGAGE.EU initiatives

Let’s shape a dynamic, cross‑European teaching experience—and equip the next generation scholars with the tools to understand, evaluate and conduct research that informs about radicalization, democratic backsliding and democratic resilience.