The two-day event brought together scholars, policymakers and the public to reflect on Offe’s intellectual legacy and its relevance today.
How can democracy and capitalism serve people effectively? And does the welfare state enable or constrain a market‑driven society?
Claus Offe’s work remains essential for understanding the tensions at the heart of modern democracies. His analyses of social justice, institutional fragility and capitalist pressures offer guidance at a time of eroding public trust and growing global uncertainty. Offe, who was a founding father of the Hertie School, believed that rigorous, honest analysis could help chart a path toward a more just and cohesive society.
Last week, the Hertie School hosted a two‑day symposium to celebrate Offe’s life and legacy. Scholars, policymakers, members of the public and family gathered for the event, ‘Symposium in memoriam Claus Offe (1940–2025): Social science for a better world’, revisiting his conviction that social science should clarify societal dilemmas and strengthen public debate.
Exploring Offe’s core themes: Democracy, civil society and social cohesion
Across keynote speeches, discussions and a public lecture, participants engaged with the wide range of themes Offe examined throughout his career, from his analysis of democratic legitimacy to his explorations of welfare capitalism, state–society relations and political transformation. Speakers highlighted how these ideas help explain the uncertainties facing contemporary democracies, including democratic backsliding, economic inequality and the fragmentation of the public sphere.
A recurring thread throughout the symposium was Offe’s understanding of democracy as a societal project that relies not only on institutions but on strong intermediary structures and shared norms. Participants reflected on the fragility of these foundations today, noting the pressures created by polarisation, declining trust in the political establishment, and algorithmic disruption of the public sphere.
Welfare states, market pressures and social justice
Another central theme concerned welfare capitalism and Offe’s argument that modern states must navigate the tensions between supporting economic growth and protecting citizens from market‑generated risks. Discussions emphasised how Offe’s analyses continue to illuminate the dilemmas facing welfare systems confronted with new social risks, demographic change and economic uncertainty. His work on social policy, especially his engagement with basic income debates, remains influential in rethinking the future of social protection.
Political transformation and global change
Participants also revisited Offe’s reflections on political transitions, particularly his influential idea of the “triple transformation” to understand the profound, simultaneous changes that post-socialist societies in Central and Eastern Europe faced after 1989. These insights were linked to broader questions of global governance, the role of the European Union, and the long‑term effects of rapid systemic change. The symposium underscored Offe’s capacity to analyse political developments with clarity while acknowledging their inherent complexity.
Continuing Offe’s legacy
The event concluded with reflections on Offe’s intellectual spirit – characterised by analytical precision, normative commitment and an openness to ambiguity. His approach of ‘thoughtful wishing’ offers an alternative to both technocratic optimism and fatalistic pessimism, encouraging a grounded yet hopeful engagement with the world’s problems.
The symposium served not only as a tribute to Claus Offe but also as a call to continue the kind of rigorous, reflective and justice‑oriented scholarship that defined his career.
We thank everyone who participated for their insightful contributions.
Visit our YouTube channel for full recordings of the event’s discussions: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVyW-1uzF8DZtYw2xxUm0tQF7Iuovj56n&si=KevPhl1896lARqSh
Contact
- Thu Hà Đặng, Associate | Event Management