Lecture by Prof. Dr. Christian Martin

German democracy distinguishes itself from other political systems through its capacity for self-defence. The maxim “no freedom for the enemies of freedom” is codified in several places in the Basic Law, with the option of banning political parties as the most severe instrument of a defensive democracy.

This lecture places the resilience of German democracy in a historical context and examines its relevance today. It discusses the possibilities and limits of a liberal system in defending itself.