Germany in the era of lowered voices: Who still dares to speak?

Germany in the era of lowered voices: Who still dares to speak?

In Germany's current political climate, many citizens show a timid reluctance to express their opinions publicly. This development became clear in a discussion about freedom of expression in Germany, which focused on the upcoming state elections in Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia. A survey showed that only 40 percent of respondents felt they were able to freely express their political views.

This situation cuts across various levels of society, with many people raising their voices out of fear of negative consequences, such as job loss or social isolation. It became clear that the pressure for conformity in the media and politics has become overwhelming, which is severely restricting freedom of expression. This is part of a larger phenomenon that can be observed in many Western democracies.

The role of the AfD

From this perspective, the AfD, which was founded in 2013, represents an example of a healthy form of expression for populist movements within democracy. It emerged as a response to political decisions, particularly with regard to migration policy since 2015. Here, citizens' legitimate efforts to express their interests and concerns are perceived within a democratic framework. However, many other established parties seem to view populist dissent as illegitimate, which is causing more and more people to turn away from them.

This separation and exclusion strengthens the AfD's position, as citizens increasingly feel understood, which undermines trust in the established parties. A notable point is that many citizens are strengthened by the experiences and feelings they associate with the populists in their opinion that current politics does not care about their concerns. This perception could increase the likelihood that such populist parties will continue to gain support in the future.

The crisis of democracy

The current situation can also be interpreted as a symptom of a double failure of democracy. Dealing with the emerging populist movements plays a central role here. Many established parties appear to be unable to adequately address voters' needs. Instead, they try to fight competition through exclusion, which further erodes faith in a functioning democracy.

An example of the harmful treatment of people who think differently is the controversial advertising campaign by the Edeka retail chain. Before the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, Edeka placed large-scale advertisements claiming that the color blue, which is associated with the AfD, was a warning color for incompatibility. Such measures could potentially appeal to voters who have never wanted to identify with the AfD, thereby only increasing the contradiction.

Another factor that favors the flourishing of populist movements is the widespread misunderstanding that democracy represents a certain, usually left-liberal, view that needs to be defended. Things become dangerous when expressions of opinion are seen as a threat to democracy. In a healthy democracy, it should be the job of all parties to facilitate fair discourse instead of demanding a dictatorship of the majority.

Meanwhile, however, social pressure is so great that many people are unwilling to reveal their true opinions, leading to a climate in which populist voices are gaining traction. The picture that emerges is that of a society in which fear of consequences determines good behavior instead of free exchange and democratic debate.

A culture of lowered voices has developed in Germany, in which many prefer to express their opinions behind closed doors rather than run the risk of being criticized in social or professional contexts. This dynamic could have far-reaching long-term effects on the country's political landscape by creating a breeding ground for more populist movements.

The reasons for this phenomenon are varied and are not only related to the fear of repression. The current discussion about migration, economic inequality and social divisions is reflected in the confrontation with political reality. This is impressively evident in the context of the upcoming state elections, where the AfD has become a serious political force that can no longer be ignored.

A well-known expert, Ralf Schuler, goes on to say in his book “The Victory of the Populists” that citizens’ trust in the established parties has been severely shaken. Voters often see populists as the only means of venting their discontent. By not taking voters seriously, the established parties run the risk of increasingly losing these votes to their competitors. This means that Germany's political landscape could change significantly if a rethink does not finally take place.