Dennis Klinke
Predoctoral Fellow
Short Vita
I am a research assistant at the Free University of Berlin. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science there. I am also a visiting researcher at the Center for Civil Society Research at the WZB.
What I find exciting about this research initiative
The concept of social cohesion enjoys great popularity, especially in times of crisis, as it emphasizes the (supposedly vanishing) harmonious character of a society. For plural societies, on the other hand, conflicts take center stage: they practically legitimize themselves through the organized negotiation of conflicts. I am interested in this tension as well as in the ambiguous character of social/political engagement, which can fuel social conflicts as well as pacify them.
What my discipline can contribute to this research initiative
Political science and political sociology are interested in the dynamics of attitudes and behavior. They can foster a deeper understanding of who and why gets involved politically or socially and what effects we can expect this to have on our society as a whole.