About the DGEPD
The German Association for the Study of Political Thought (DGEPD) was founded in 1989. Its establishment coincided with a period of profound transformation and reorientation, triggered by the dissolution of the post-war order that had shaped Germany, Europe, and the global landscape since 1945. Against this backdrop, scholars from political science, philosophy, law, economics, sociology, and history, among others, came together within the DGEPD to pursue interdisciplinary approaches to the fundamental questions of political action and to offer responses to contemporary political challenges.
Politics and political culture are not domains that can be adequately addressed by a single discipline. Just as practical politics cannot, in principle, exclude any viewpoint, political theory must likewise refrain from excluding any academic field. The scholarly analysis and advisory engagement with politics must be grounded in a plurality of approaches. Accordingly, the DGEPD is open to all related disciplines that contribute to a deeper understanding of politics.
The association pursues its aims primarily through the organization of academic conferences, the facilitation of scholarly exchange, cooperation with other academic organizations and professional associations, and the publication of the Yearbook of Political Thought (Politisches Denken). It is both the conviction and the hope of the DGEPD that these activities will also help to open up new pathways for understanding political practice.
The DGEPD furthermore regards mediation between different political cultures as an important task. It therefore maintains close ties, among others, with the Conference for the Study of Political Thought (CSPT) and the European Society for the History of Political Thought (ESHPT). Through the Yearbook of Political Thought and reciprocal participation in conferences, political thought in the member countries is to be made more transparent. This dialogue aims to make political discourse in Germany more comprehensible beyond national borders, to reduce misunderstandings, and to convey informed perspectives and interpretations. This explicitly includes the DGEPD’s contacts with other European countries.
In light of the profound transformations brought about by globalization and processes of de-bordering - developments that have long since affected political conditions throughout Europe, and particularly in Germany - the urgency of this task has increased even further. To learn from experiences gained across different spheres of life, to defend what has proven its worth, and to critically examine new developments, exchange between theory and practice is more necessary than ever.
The DGEPD pursues its statutory purpose - the promotion of interdisciplinary research on the foundations of political action - in the legal form of a registered association recognized as a non-profit organization.
The regular membership fee includes a subscription to the Yearbook of Political Thought. The DGEPD welcomes every new member who contributes to bringing its topics and objectives to life. Those wishing to join may do so by submitting the designated application form to the Society’s Secretariat (see “Registration”).
Cooperations
A) Research Working Group on Political Philosophy and Political Theory (Forschungsarbeitsgemeinschaft Politische Philosophie und politische Theorie)
In 2014, the DGEPD and the German Society for Philosophy, on the initiative of Prof. Dr. Julian Nida-Rümelin and Prof. Dr. Barbara Zehnpfennig, established the Research Working Group on Political Philosophy and Political Theory. Its aim is to strengthen the sub-discipline of political philosophy and political theory in terms of its significance and role within political science, for example through the organization of workshops and academic conferences.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Stefan Gosepath: stefan.gosepath_at_fu-berlin.de
Information Philosophie is a journal founded in 1973 and published quarterly. It focuses on the contemporary German-speaking philosophical community and features news, reports, interviews, and discussions on current research, problems, backgrounds, positions, trends, and controversies. The journal sees itself as independent and not affiliated with any particular philosophical school or group.
Contact: Peter Moser: Information-Philosophie_at_t-online.de