A digital magazine
about politics and society

We publish incisive analyses of current affairs by political scientists and colleagues in neighboring disciplines, who have special expertise on the issues under consideration. Their contributions share insights from their research that help us to better understand the news of the day. They explain complex developments and place them in the context of longer-term trends. In the daily flood of news reports, we would like to provide reliable background information and orientation.

Researchers seek to generate knowledge by employing scientific methods, thereby trying to come as close as possible to “the truth”. Politikon wants to democratize access to this knowledge. We strive to make available the most relevant research results from political science and neighboring fields. That way, we hope to provide decision-makers in politics and civil society with a sound basis for their choices.

We will also examine claims in public discourse and distinguish between substantiated and unfounded arguments. When simplifications or false information gain ground, we will raise our voice.

Improving the mutual exchange between academics, practitioners, and the public is an important goal of Politikon. We don’t see practitioners and the public as passive consumers of information, but as innovative actors who have themselves a considerable amount of knowledge and experience. This is why our magazine is not just about sharing academic expertise with practitioners and the public. We would also like to transfer insights and impulses from practitioners and the public to academia, thereby developing new research ideas.

At a time when public discourse is becoming increasingly vitriolic and fragmented, we consciously advocate a dialogue between people with different views in order to reach a common understanding. We will present a diversity of perspectives and theories, and we will debate ideas and arguments in a constructive fashion. Our goal is to help our readers to form their own opinions on the basis of academically informed discussions.

Our articles will not only analyze current issues in politics and society. They will also examine important developments beyond the events of the day. We will seek to find thoughtful and fact-based answers to the pressing political, social, economic, ecological, and ethical questions of our time. To this end, we survey the German, European, and global academic landscape, and we inform about relevant new research findings. This is always based on the assumption that these findings will necessarily be only temporary. We also encourage our authors to derive policy recommendations from their work and to disclose any inherent risks and uncertainties associated with it.

We conceive of Politikon not just as mediator, but also as a means to hold the politically and economically powerful to account. In addition to the media and together with the rest of the academic community, we act as watchdogs and a “fifth estate”. We will scrutinize decision-makers, address grievances and injustices, and, if necessary, demand accountability.