Manfred Berg: "Democracy in Danger? A Historical Perspective

“Democracy in Danger? A Historical Perspective”

Manfred Berg

After the Storm on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, it seemed unlikely that former president Donald Trump would have a political future. However, on November 5, 2024, a slim majority of American voters elected Trump to a second term in the White House. Trump’s comeback has prompted widespread fears that the separation of powers and American democracy proper may be at risk. In his lecture, Professor Manfred Berg of the University of Heidelberg will analyze Trump’s rise to power and his successful re-election bid, and discuss the possible consequences for American democracy. After four months in the White House, Trump has already demonstrated that he wants to govern like an elected dictator. His second term will be a stress test for the checks and balances of America’s constitutional order.

Bio

Manfred Berg is the Curt Engelhorn Professor of American History at the University of Heidelberg. His work focuses on the history of the African-American civil rights movement, race relations, popular violence, and U.S. political history. His new book Das gespaltene Haus: Eine Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten von 1950 bis heute (2024) traces the history of polarization in America from the post-war years to the present. Since 2019, Manfred Berg is a member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. He is also a regular contributor to the weekly DIE ZEIT.