The Constance Section investigates ideas and practices of social cohesion that are both inclusive and exclusionary. It emphasizes cultural aspects and critically examines ideals of cohesion that aim for unity and uniformity.
Host Institution
A long Tradition
Researchers at Universität Konstanz have long been engaged with questions of integration – and with disintegration processes as well. This dual perspective also shapes the research conducted by the Constance Section of RISC. It builds on well-established interdisciplinary collaboration among academic disciplines. Our section brings together legal studies, literary and media studies, history, cultural anthropology, and sociology.
Contribution to the Overarching Theme of Social Cohesion
A Complex Phenomenon
Research on social cohesion reveals that cohesion can succeed – but often carries exclusionary effects. Members of the Constance Section have developed a critical awareness of these ambivalences. We aim to name and consider the darker dimensions of cohesion. A cultural studies approach is particularly well suited to this task.
We do not separate out a purely cultural dimension of cohesion. Instead, we study the interplay of socioeconomic, political-institutional, and cultural processes. The Constance perspective is also characterized by its examination of inclusion and exclusion practices in relation to ideals of cohesion. These comparisons frequently reveal tensions between idealized notions and everyday practices.
Perspectives from the Margins
Another distinctive feature of the Konstanz approach is its focus on less powerful, marginalized perspectives on cohesion. We examine negotiation processes that occur outside dominant conceptual frameworks. We seek to understand discourse on cohesion through everyday practices. This vantage point allows us to interrogate cohesion both as an analytical category and as lived practice.
Involvement in All Research Areas
Researchers at the Constance Section are involved in all four of RISC’s research areas. Together with other sections, they explore the contribution of law to democratic cohesion, study the relationship between infrastructure change and administrative practices, and develop approaches to analyzing perceived polarization on social media platforms. For example, they investigate how online exchanges contribute to political polarization among young people.
Historical projects examine German, French, and Polish migration and solidarity movements since the Summer of Migration in 2015. Other studies address the politicization of care work in Western Europe since the 1970s. Konstanz researchers also examine problematic aspects of cohesion, such as the dynamics between constitutional structures and inequality. One aim is to critically assess the concept of EU citizenship.
Knowledge Transfer
Researchers at the Constance Section work closely with Theater Konstanz. They regularly host discussion forums under the title “Foyer Forschung” in the theater’s entry hall. These events give members of the public the opportunity to engage with experts on questions related to cohesion.
In Berlin, the section also organizes recurring events under the title “Migrationspolitische Foren.” These provide a setting for in-depth conversation between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. In an informal atmosphere, invited speakers and guests discuss current issues related to cohesion and legal policy.