Manuel Dierse

Manuel Dierse

Student Assistant

Short Vita

I am an Undergraduate Student in Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin (Otto-Suhr-Institute) since 2019 and a Student Research Assistant at the Institute of Sociology, working on the work package “Subjects of Cohesion”.

What I find exciting about this research initiative

Social cohesion is created in the interaction of different actors with each other. Civil society offers a space for these interactions. But what is the influence of civil society on social cohesion? And how is cohesion strengthened or weakened? What role does politics play? I hope that we can help answer these and many other questions.

What my discipline can contribute to this research initiative

Plural democracy promises recognition, equal opportunity, and participation. These promises require negotiation. However, this negotiation is usually accompanied by polarization, as established power relations are questioned. In analyzing how these negotiation conflicts can promote or disrupt social cohesion within or between social groups, political science has the potential to make a significant contribution.