Democracy and the Basic Law

Für freie und faire Wahlen setzt Deutschland sich weltweit ein.

Promoting democracy worldwide

Projects for a free and fair future

Strengthening democracy – find out here how Germany is globally committed to human rights and good governance.

Zahlreiche Projekte in Deutschland ermöglichen jungen Menschen Partizipation.

Co-determination from the outset

Knowing one’s own rights - and respecting those of others. We present three projects that teach young people the value of democracy.

Ilija Trojanow

“Strengthening democracy across borders”

The author Ilija Trojanow is involved in the “Global Assembly”, which is seeking ideas for strengthening democracy worldwide.

„Die Menschen wollen mehr Mitbestimmung“

“People want more co-determination”

The political scientist Brigitte Geißel studies democratic innovations: from citizens’ councils to referendums.

picture-alliance/ZB - Basic Law

70 years of the Basic Law

The adoption of the Basic Law on 8 Mai 1949 marked a fresh start for Germany.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

The future of democracy

Democracy as a form of government: read where the strength of democracy lies in an exclusive essay by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Deutscher Bundestag

Democracy in Germany

The Basic Law is the heart of democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany. It was only intended as a temporary measure, but has now lasted since 1949.

Demonstration

Why democracy and human rights are two sides of the same coin

Human rights guarantee that the interests of individuals are protected even when they are not in the majority.

Redaktion Newsroom

Why independent journalism is so important for democracy

There is no freedom without freedom of the press: Bascha Mika, editor in Chief of Frankfurter Rundschau, about the lifeblood of a free society.

Großimam und Papst VAE

Why religion and democracy have more in common than you think

Religion is an instrument for justice that makes everybody belong to a society, says Sister Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue.

70 Jahre Grundgesetz – Feier am Brandenburger Tor im Mai 2019

The right to opportunity

The Verfassungsschüler project helps young people find out about the Basic Law and become politically engaged.

Streiter für Demokratie

They are standing up for democracy

These men and women are standing up for democracy with courage and creativity.

Thomas Krüger

Can democracy be learned?

Federal Agency for Civic Education: a former civil rights campaigner is responsible for civic education. Here you can find out whether he believes it is possible to learn democracy.

Wahlraum

The citizen is sovereign

The right to vote is considered democracy’s highest good.

Das Grundgesetz ist Deutschlands wichtigstes Buch

Germany’s most important book

The German Basic Law came into effect in 1949. It was originally designed as a provisional constitution. Five questions and answers.

Nia Künzer, Fußballweltmeisterin 2003

Article 1: Human dignity

Nia Künzer, football world champion and educationalist: We have come a long way, but we still have much to do.

Albert Kitzler ist Philosoph und Jurist

Article 2: Personal freedoms

Philosopher Albert Kitzler: The framework for finding your own centre.

Josef Schuster, Präsident des Zentralrats der Juden in Deutschland

Article 4: Freedom of faith and conscience

Josef Schuster: A freedom to fight for.

Katja Gloger, Vorstandsmitglied von „Reporter ohne Grenzen“

Article 5: Freedom of expression

The journalist Katja Gloger: freedom of expression is a human right.

Pauline Gihr studiert Jura

Article 10: Privacy of correspondence, posts and telecommunications

Harald Siebler, Regisseur des Films „GG 19“.

Article 14: Property and the right of inheritance shall be guaranteed.

Konrad Adenauer

30 German years: 1950 – 1980

From the German Economic Miracle to RAF Terrorism: Three German decenniums. An overview.

30 German years: 1980 – 2010

From the Fall of the Wall to the reforms of the year 2000.

Atomausstieg und Energiewende prägen die 2010er-Jahre

Germany in the 2010s

The current decade at a glance: these are the topics and events that have affected people in Germany.

Video

#GermanHistory: The 1950s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 1960s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 1970s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 1980s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 1990s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 2000s

German History

#GermanHistory: The 2010s

Wissenschaftlerin

Why science and democracy are mutually dependent

On academic freedom in a free society writes historian Kristina Spohr.

Germany: Living Democracy