Argue constructively: This is how we promote democracy in Freising!

Argue constructively: This is how we promote democracy in Freising!

In a lively discussion about the meaning of arguing in a democracy, the “Dispute/Promoter” workshop took place on July 10, 2025 as part of the “Tenth of a Second” event series. Under the direction of Dr. Eva Feldmann-Wojtachnia, head of the “Youth and Europe” research group at the LMU Munich, interested citizens gathered in Freising to address the central question: How can you argue constructively without hurting yourself or others? The workshop was organized by the Treffpunkt Voluntary Office and the Freisinger Raum der Treffen support association and received support from the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs.

The mood was open and the participants quickly agreed: dispute is a central building block of a vibrant democratic culture. Staged by Dr. Feldmann-Wojtachnia the values ​​and development square, a concept that was further developed by Friedemann Schulz von Thun. This model illustrates how important the balance between values ​​is. Too much frugality can turn into stinginess, while excessive generosity can quickly lead to wastefulness. “Good qualities turn negative when they are exaggerated,” said the speaker.

The art of constructive argument

The workshop highlighted the permissibility of seriously considering other perspectives. It became clear that the right balance is crucial in the dispute. “For us, it’s about discussing respectfully and knowing the basic values ​​of everyone involved,” explained Dr. Feldmann-Wojtachnia. Such a reflected perspective is not only important for individual discussions, but also for functioning democratic coexistence.

At the background of this discussion is the idea that democratic institutions need the consent and support of their citizens in order to be successful. As Living Democracy emphasizes, schools are the key place where young people can learn and experiment with democratic culture. The promotion of such skills is also of great importance in the context of the Council of Europe project to develop a skills model for democratic culture.

The value of plurality

The workshop also emphasized the need for pluralistic opinion formation in civil society. The ability to accept and reflect on different perspectives is considered one of the most important prerequisites for harmonious coexistence. In this context, the concept of “democratic culture” is highly relevant, even if it often remains vague.

As the values ​​and development square shows, the balance of values ​​is crucial for positive development. According to Schulz von Thun, values ​​such as justice and fairness can only blossom in exchange and in tension. These insights are not just theory, but also permeate everyday life in schools, where school leaders and teachers act as role models and can actively promote or hinder the mature democratic culture.

In summary, the workshop provided space not only for arguments but also for the development of shared values. The participants returned home with a clear message: Constructive debate is the foundation of democracy, and arguing is not only allowed, but necessary.