Democracy in danger? The phenomenon of state denial

Project duration: from March 1st, 2024 

Legal philosophical reflections based on the contractarian theory of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

(Habilitation project by Dr. Marlon Possard at the University of Vienna)

Not least due to (inter)national socio-political developments, there is an urgent need to attach growing importance to the phenomena of heterogeneous state denial and new forms of extremism at an international level. In particular, new challenges are increasingly arising for democratic and state stability, but also for public administration, which appear to be worth researching from a scientific perspective.

A globe hovering between two hands before dark background. vor einem dunklen Hintergrund. Beside each hand, half of a face is visible.

From a contemporary - and therefore security policy - perspective, recent (inter)national developments urgently require an increased focus on a new phenomenon of radicalization that has gradually moved to the forefront of research in recent years, namely heterogeneously organized denial of the state and its anti-democratic elements. Forms of denial of the state and its institutions are closely linked to questions of law, administrative sciences (public management) and philosophy. The research deals in particular with questions of denial of the state and provides a (legal) philosophical analysis that ranges between aspects of natural law and legal positivism. The habilitation thesis also examines conspiracy theory constructs and extremist currents and the resulting dangers for liberal constitutional states.

Research goals

  • Investigating the ideological foundations and philosophical convictions of state deniers
  • The position of anarchist and libertarian theories within the state denier scene
  • Analysis of the tensions between democratic principles and state denier movements
  • Threat to democratic systems and pluralistic societies from anti-state elements
  • Investigating the intersections between state denier groups and other extremist movements
  • Comparative study of anti-government movements and extremist tendencies in other European countries

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Schriftzug SDG 16 Frieden Gerechtigkeit und starke Institutionen
Schriftzug SDG 17 Partnerschaften zur Erreichung der Ziele
 

More about the project (content in German)

  • Article: "Wovon Staatsverweigerer träumen" | Die Presse
  • Article: "Staatsverweigerung" waschecht im Gespräch | Radio Fro
  • Cologne Forum for International Relations and Security Policy e.V. | FSTE
  • Podcast: "Dr. Marlon Possard und die Staatsverweigerer..." | Law Bursters: Spoiler Alert
 

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