| Max-Weber-Kolleg, Religion, Society, and World Relations

New publication: Was hält unsere Gesellschaft zusammen?

The Campus publishing house has published a new book by Bettina Hollstein entitled “Was hält unsere Gesellschaft zusammen?” (What Holds Our Society Together?). In this volume, volunteers at an East German soup kitchen report on their experiences, problems, and wishes, and show how much their commitment is shaped by their social environment and the conditions around them. The book contributes to finding ways to combat the current crises of cohesion and democracy.

cover

Bettina Hollstein
Was hält unsere Gesellschaft zusammen? Erfahrungen in einer Suppenküche in Ostdeutschland
Campus publishing house (Weinheim), 2025
ISBN: 978-3-593-46363-6
126 pages (hardcover)
30 EUR
download the e-book (free of charge)

Civic volunteering is described in politics and the media as the "engine of democracy" on the one hand, while on the other it is denounced as exploitation and the creation of regular jobs is demanded instead. Both sides often talk about commitment and committed people. In this volume, people involved in a soup kitchen in East Germany have their say and describe their situation, the problems that concern them, their experiences and their wishes. Their stories show how important the situation and the space in which the commitment takes place are. Bettina Hollstein draws on the theories of Hans Joas (creativity of action), Hartmut Rosa (resonance and sense of unity) and Jane Addams (sympathetic understanding) in order to gain a better understanding of the role of engagement for the cohesion of society and democracy. The book makes a contribution to finding remedies for the current crises of social cohesion and democracy.

The author
Bettina Hollstein is an economist and business ethicist at the Max Weber Centre for Cultural and Social Science Studies at the University of Erfurt. She has been managing director there since 1998. She is also co-editor of the journals for economic and business ethics.

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