Change politics: Why narcissism threatens our democracy

Change politics: Why narcissism threatens our democracy

The failed coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and the ÖVP whirled through the political landscape of Austria last week. Historian Wolfgang Weber describes this Situation as a "turn of time" that takes into account the change in political thinking. He emphasizes that the traditional idea of ​​the benefit of all people who stand over individual interests increasingly takes a back seat. Weber explains: "In the past, it was about combining two individual positions for the community well -being." On the other hand, Domine, on the other hand, is currently looking for self -interest, instead of the dialogue, so vorarlberg.orf.at .

This is a worrying development that not only affects the political actors, but also refers to social trends. "If society moves more towards narcissism, people who do politics will also go more towards narcissism," Weber continues. The historian therefore calls for a return to the common good that is anchored in the Austrian constitution and hopes for a commitment of people in politics who actually implement this principle.

The story of Max Weber and the influences of his time

Another topic of considerable interest is the historical perspective on Max Weber, which is illuminated in a new biography. The author Dirk Kaesler interweaves the life story of Weber with the historical events of his time, including the First World War, which is considered a milestone in Weber's development from imperialists to liberals. A distinctive quote from Weber during the war illustrates its ambivalent attitude: "With all hideousness, this war is great and wonderful." In his work, Heinrich Kaesler shows how the great sociologist was also active on a political stage, for example as a founding member of the German Democratic Party after the war. This tornness between personal biography and social influence can be seen as a reflection of the complex political circumstances in many places today, so Deutschlandfunkkultur.de .

Weber's life, which was characterized by crisis -like turning points, is not only a narrative of a single person, but also an image of the political atmospheres of his time. The author summarizes the deep influence of Weber on sociology, even if certain explanations in Kaesler's work remain too compressed. This connection between personal and political history remains of central importance for the understanding of modern political developments.