Modern democratic societies are undergoing profound transformations. Demographic change, digitalization, the green transition, and geopolitical shifts are reshaping the conditions in which societies operate, as well as political decision-making and the pursuit of the public interest. At the same time, these developments raise new questions about democratic participation, social cohesion, and trust in democratic institutions at both the national and international levels.

Against this backdrop, this research focus area explores the relationship between inequality, democracy, and the public interest in modern societies. The researchers involved are particularly interested in how social, economic, and information inequalities affect political participation, democratic decision-making, social cohesion, and the pursuit of the public interest.

Researchers at the University of Mannheim examine different forms of inequality and how they are perceived and evaluated by individuals and social groups. Their aim is to better understand how these factors affect political decision-making, participation in society, and trust in democratic institutions. A particular area of interest are individual and collective decision-making processes as well as the psychological, social, and political factors that shape how politically and socially relevant information is disseminated and evaluated. This research focus area brings together perspectives from the Social Sciences, Economics, Law, and the Humanities to analyze the challenges facing democratic societies and their prospects in the context of social change.