On the current perspectives of social economics

The economy and society are undergoing unprecedented change. Mankind has the earth and the climate under control. And yet some things are spiralling out of control. This has long been true of individual experiences of alienation as well as socio-cultural rifts. In this sense, modernity is not ceasing to become ever more modern. It is becoming apparent that progress and loss are not opposites, but are as necessary to each other as the irrationality of the profit motive and "creative destruction". So far, every civilisation has eaten its children. From this historical perspective, social division is not only a tradition, but also a system. Whether and how it has a future, however, is in our hands, in the hands of those living today.

The interdisciplinary symposium is dedicated to the question of how a scientific discipline must be structured in order to adequately understand and explain the social, economic and ecological problem constellations of our time. On the other hand, current problems and specific issues will be picked out and discussed – from "anti-fascist economics" and economic policy to the role of social ethics at a time when popes seem to have a greater sense of system criticism than many "modern" political parties. The common approach to the problems and the mixed situation in the economy and society takes place against the background of the overarching historical scientific discipline of social economics. It was the economist and sociologist Max Weber who embodied this research programme like no other at the beginning of the 20th century. Born in Erfurt, he left behind a rich and varied life's work, including the textbook series Grundriss der Sozialökonomik with the famous essay Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft (1921/22), which Marianne Weber published after his death.

Today, social economics often takes a back seat at universities and institutes to its better-known sub-disciplines and specialised disciplines such as economics and sociology. The two-part event is intended to make it visible again as a whole.

The symposium is open to the public. Students and early-stage researchers from the fields of political science and law, economics and business administration, sociology, political science and history as well as theology, education, cultural studies and religious studies are particularly welcome. Registration is requested.

Programme:

Evening event on 19.11.2025 at 7 p.m. in the Erfurt Town Hall 

• Social. Economical. Ecological. Shaping Thuringian social science
• with Klaus Dörre (keynote speech) as well as State Secretary Bernd Uwe Althaus (Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) and Bettina Hollstein (introductory remarks)
• registration form

Symposium on 20.11.2025 from 09.30 a.m. at the “Zinzendorfhaus” in Neudietendorf

• Division has a tradition, but no future. Present perspectives of social economics
• with the economist Achim Truger as well as Gertraude Mikl-Horke, Stephan Kaufmann, Traugott Jähnichen and others
• registration form

For more details, please refer to the programme overview in the margin.