Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung

International Order Under Pressure – Is It Time for Readjustment?

Key Visuel Conference ohne Schrift - ein Netzwerk von Punkten in Magenta-Farbe

The WZB invites you to a public dialogue on 7 October 2026 between Odile Renaud-Basso, Norbert Röttgen and Katherine Tai that examines changing global power dynamics and the evolution of transatlantic relations.

Congratulations, Robert Gorwa! The WZB researcher has been awarded a grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for his research project “ALIGNING AI.” This is the second consecutive Starting Grant awarded to WZB research.

Democracy enjoys broad support in surveys. However, as a new study shows, support for democratic rights and procedures becomes unstable in times of crisis.

“Challenges to International Orders: Causes and Consequences” is the topic of our 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, which will take place from 7–9 October.

Globalisierungs- und Kommunikationskonzept. Erde und Leuchtstrahlen. 3D-Rendering - Stock-Fotografie

What will the world look like in a few years' time? How are the decline of global governance, the rise of new conflict lines and the fading of the liberal international order affecting international organizations? An analysis by Michael Zürn.

Work can make people sick, both physically and mentally. For women, this risk begins even with shorter weekly work hours. This is shown by a German-Australian study by Jianghong Li and colleagues.

Democracy enjoys broad support in surveys. However, as a new study shows, support for democratic rights and procedures becomes unstable in times of crisis.

“Challenges to International Orders: Causes and Consequences” is the topic of our 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, which will take place from 7–9 October.

Work can make people sick, both physically and mentally. For women, this risk begins even with shorter weekly work hours. This is shown by a German-Australian study by Jianghong Li and colleagues.

The WZB

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center investigates fundamental societal issues. Our focus is on education and work, markets and choice, migration, democracy and autocracy, international politics and law. At the WZB researchers from various disciplines work together – mainly from sociology, political science, economics, law and psychology.

Working at the WZB

The WZB offers a modern working environment, where both equal opportunities and the compatibility of work and family are highly valued. Find out more about it here.

WZB-Mitteilungen

Generations

It’s all about issues of distribution. As resources become scarcer, disputes intensify. Who calls the shots? Who gets the money? Whose interests matter more? All too often, the lines of conflict run between the old and the young, which is why our new issue is titled “Generations.”

However, there are also lines that connect the generations. Parents’ decisions and experiences shape their children’s lives, even after their children have grown up. This applies to health, work arrangements, relationships, and educational opportunities. The June issue of WZB-Mitteilungen thus explores what unites and what divides us, conflict and compromise; it looks far into the future and shows which course is being set today.

News

More news

Always on the Move: Jutta Allmendinger Turns 70

24 Sep 2026

Bernhard Ludewig

Until two years ago, she was the President of our institute, and she had a significant influence on it: the sociologist and education researcher Jutta Allmendinger. Yet her voice was, and still is, heard far beyond the WZB. Our thanks and congratulations on her milestone birthday on 26 September 2026 are written by Heike Solga, Director of the WZB’s Department of Skill Formation and Labor Markets.

Representation and Compromise

11 Aug 2026

David Ausserhofer

Dissent and compromise are essential to democracy. Political parties must debate and fight over the future direction of policy and the best solutions to societal issues. But they must also be able to reach compromises in parliament and within a coalition: on shared policies, on new laws or on amendments to existing legislation. ‘Representation & Compromise. Bringing Voters’ Preferences to the Floor’ is the title of Pola Lehmann’s new book.

Looks Like Democracy

30 Apr 2026

foto-ruhrgebiet / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In 2023, WZB researchers surveyed nearly 3,400 people in Germany about their political views. What made this survey unique was that it asked not only about their attitudes toward democracy, but also how they personally defined it.

2nd Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference

“Challenges to International Orders: Causes and Consequences” is the topic of our 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, which will take place from 7–9 October at the WZB.