Claus Offe dedicated his intellectual life to uncovering the conditions for social progress in the modern world, probing notions of social justice and how to defend individual freedoms. While keenly aware of the tensions liberal and open-market societies harbour, the profound challenges democracies face, and the complex contradictions of political transitions, neither optimism nor hope left him in any doubt that the social sciences can improve the world.
In his unpublished “A Short Account of my Professional Life, Including Facets of lts Context”, which he shared only with close friends, he wrote: “I have also been convinced that social science research is virtually worthless unless its findings provoke, throw light on, or can serve as arguments in normative discourses on the nature of a ‘well-ordered society’ and its defining features of the reasonable use of freedom and distributive justice. A key goal must be to propose, in the mode of thoughtful wishing rather than that of wishful thinking, ways to achieve that end.”
This symposium will honour Claus Offe’s intellectual achievements by taking his compelling argument as a point of departure, highlighting his insights and contributions to a better future for our societies, and embracing the spirit of “thoughtful wishing” that he championed.
The symposium includes a public session with representatives from politics and academia, as well as a series of panels to debate the intellectual legacy of Claus Offe.
Speakers and panellists will focus on key elements of Claus Offe’s work and apply them to current political challenges and debates. Brief opening statements or keynote speeches will set the stage, bridging academic discussions and current political debates. They will address one key question: “How can Claus Offe’s contributions and insights help shape the future?” Throughout the conference, we will revisit excerpts from Claus Offe’s writing and reflections, applying his perspective to current challenges.
Programme
FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 2026
- 1:45 – 2:00 pm | Welcome
Cornelia Woll - 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Panel 1: Democracy: How to defend and grow it, and how to recognise its limitations
Moderator: Helmut Anheier
Keynote speech: Michael Zürn
Panellists: Micheline Ishay, Wolfgang Merkel and Tine Stein - 4:00 – 5:30 pm | Panel 2: Political and economic transition
Moderator: Michaela Kreyenfeld
Keynote speech: Steffen Mau
Panellists: Dorothee Bohle, Laszlo Bruszt and Herbert Kitschelt - 6:00 – 7:30 pm | Public lecture: Social science and social progress
Moderator: Melinda Crane
Setting the stage with Claus Offe’s reflections: Ulrich Preuss and Helmut K Anheier
Panellists: Sven Giegold, Gesine Schwan and Lea Ypi - 7:30 pm | Reception
SATURDAY, 28 MARCH 2026
- 9:00 – 10:30 am | Panel 3: Social policy and capitalism
Moderator: Michaela Kreyenfeld
Keynote speech: Anke Hassel
Discussion: David Abraham, Ilona Ostner and Philippe von Parjis - 10:45 am – 12:15 pm | Panel 4: Thinking with Claus Offe
Moderator: Cornelia Woll
Presentations:
“Public Sphere in the Digital Age” – Ulrich Preuß
“Reflections on the United States” – Hans Joas
Discussion: Peter A. Kraus - 12:15 – 12:45 pm | Closing
