On 4 October, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier – in cooperation with the Bertelsmann Foundation – hosted a panel discussion at Schloss Bellevue as part of the series Forum Bellevue on the Future of Democracy. The fifth forum examined Rifts and resentments – on the fragmentation and emotionalisation of politics and society.

The Federal President discussed the relationship between feelings and politics with Ute Frevert (Director, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin), Andreas Hollstein (Mayor of Altena), Cornelia Koppetsch (Professor of Sociology, TU Darmstadt) and Bernhard Pörksen (Professor of Media Studies at the University of Tübingen).

Together, they looked into the question of whether and to what extent the feelings of individuals or groups shape political action. Germany, too, has seen the intensity of and confrontation with collective sentiment in political debate increase in recent years. When populists break taboos (however contrived that may be) and are then called out by their opponents, this draws attention and shapes public opinion. The discussion sought to identify new fissures in German society and to find out how politics and society can best deal with strong feelings.

The Federal President spoke with his guests about whether emotional extremes are an expression of, or caused by, fragmentation and new conflicts. Are they the expression of a struggle for recognition by interests that have been underrepresented, or do they endanger cohesion? What other forms of articulation besides outrage and protest can be used by people who feel their voices are not being heard? Are we witnessing how the politics of resentment is once again becoming acceptable in our society?