Political Theory of the Welfare State

In empirical terms, the object of study of our working group "Political Theory of the Welfare State" is change in the forms of legitimation and justification of the welfare state in Western democracies. In normative terms, we examine concepts such as justice, autonomy and solidarity in the context of normative theory of the welfare state.

The working group “Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany” examines political actors’ voting and decision-making behavior, considering institutional framework conditions and social inequalities. The focus is on the initial question of how institutional regulations and collective decision-making processes produce political results. The research areas, therefore, include electoral systems research and electoral research, including comparative perspectives. The working group focuses on social policy research and administrative science. Theoretically, positive approaches, in particular decision- and game-theory, and normative theories, especially principles of social justice, are used to understand political actors’ voting and decision-making behavior in the context of social inequality. Methodologically, the working group is primarily empirically and analytically oriented. A particular focus is on applying and developing experimental research designs for evidence-based social policy research. Accordingly, survey- , laboratory- and field-experiments and quantitative methods are primarily used to empirically test the statements formulated based on positive or normative theories of political behavior.

Current research focus:

Acceptance of artificial intelligence in public employment and social administration

Completed projects:

Needs equity and distribution procedures (FOR 2104)