Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz will participate in the annual conference of the research cluster "Theories, Policies and Cultures of Cohesion" of the
Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC) on the topic "The Law of Cohesion". He will give a presentation on the topic "Freedom of Expression and Hate Speech: Law as Enabler and Regulator of Political Conflicts" at 11:15 a.m.
The Conference Programme as PDF (in German)
From the Conference Announcement
"The fact that law plays an essential role in social cohesion seems to be so self-evident that it is hardly ever asked in more detail why this is the case and in what way law manages - and should manage - this task. At the same time, however, it is repeatedly emphasised that law - prominent in the form of a constitution constitutive of the national legal order - is not alone capable of integrating a society. This is said to be especially true when it is characterised by features such as functional differentiation, multiculturalism, pluralism and diversity. Without a supporting, historically guaranteed, communally shared and secured normative basis, the law is overburdened with the conflicts resulting from these characteristics, and perhaps even contributes to disintegration itself. Those who, on the other hand, accentuate the productive function of conflicts for social cohesion, which are supposed to be settled peacefully in legal proceedings, must allow themselves to be asked whether and how law can at the same time enable conflicts to take place and prevent their escalation into disintegrative and violent forms. The current debates on how to deal with "hate speech" in social networks is just one example of it. By addressing such issues, the annual conference aims to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between law and social cohesion in its unity and difference."
Participation in the event is possible online via Zoom. To do so, please register by email with
Eric von Dömming.
