Literarische Salons / ExLibris

Bürokratopia (Kommunalpolitische Gesprächsrunde)

Klaus Wagenbach Verlag has published three books that address this very question from different perspectives. On May 11, the three authors will discuss societies in transition and the challenges of their transformation.

The focus will be on how democracy can be strengthened in terms of international responsibility, at the national level, and specifically at the local level, and how we can avoid the dangers of populist dynamics and bureaucratic roadblocks.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich is a former professor of art history and media theory and now lives in Leipzig as a freelance author. In his book *Memocracy: Social Media and Authoritarian Visual Politics*, he analyzes how right-wing movements have, since the 2010s, laid the groundwork for the polarization of democratic societies and the rise of authoritarian politics.

Dr. Julia Borggräfe provides consulting services on strategic transformation and organizational development. In her book *Bürokratopia: How Bureaucracy Can Save Democracy*, she shows how the bureaucracy’s growing overload and inefficiency are dramatically undermining trust in the state.

Prof. Dr. Uwe Schneidewind was a transformation researcher and science manager, president of the Wuppertal Institute, and, from 2020 to 2025, mayor of the city of Wuppertal. In his book “End of the Workday: The Challenge of Local Politics,” he describes the everyday systemic failures at the local level and shows how municipalities can be structured productively even under difficult circumstances.

Prior to the public event, a roundtable discussion will take place according to the Chatham House Rules with representatives from the social sciences and local politics.

The event is free of charge. The number of participants is limited.

Accessible facilities. How to get there: https://www.schader-stiftung.de/service/route