Social policy
Seminar for Social Sciences
Article 20, paragraph 1, Basic Law:
"The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social federal state".
With Bismarck's social legislation of 1881, Germany is one of the pioneers of modern welfare states. Social spending now accounts for the largest share of the federal budget. Social security is one of the most important political issues, not only in Germany but also in many other countries. But how well are people protected against social risks such as unemployment, poverty or illness? And what conflicts exist over the objectives and financing of social policy? Such questions are researched at the professorship from a political science perspective and discussed with students in teaching.
Research profile
The professorship deals with various fields of social policy, in particular with the areas of health, consumer protection, the labor market and municipal social policy. The focus is on two questions: What role do parties, interest groups and interest coalitions play when it comes to the status quo or change in social policy? How and with what success are social policy programs implemented? The professorship is committed to international theories and methods of policy analysis, but also has points of contact with approaches from economics, social work and public health.
Main research areas
- Public health policies and prevention policy
- Interest groups and lobbying
- Consumer interests and consumer policy
- Third sector and welfare organizations
- Securing skilled workers and labor market policy
- Local social policy
