Democracy has, according to a study in Germany, wide back, even if many citizens see in practice weaknesses.
This is evident from the "democracy monitor 2026", the Bertelsmann Foundation, the study's author, Robert Vehrkamp in Berlin presented.
82 percent of about 5000 respondents were extremely positive about the values and rules of liberal democracy. "This is an extremely high value, which was a surprise to us," said Vehrkamp.
"This high level of legitimacy value indicates that the values, rules and institutions of democracy are also anchored in Detail in the political culture of our country."
Nine out of ten respondents were behind the principle of elections. In addition, the important pillars of democracy such as Parliament, government, separation of powers, or civil rights, there were more than eight out of ten. Parties found in 77 percent of the respondents support.
Significantly different according to the study, but, if the Functioning of democracy is asked, the so-called performance. Since the average was only 29 percent, as Vehrkamp said.
Here, too, the elections do best: 65 percent of the respondents are with the practice satisfied. That citizens ' rights are well implemented, but said only 35 percent, in the case of the separation of powers, it was 34 percent, the Parliament of 31 percent. The parties, in practice, come on just 17 percent. In all of these categories, the values were, however, better than 2019. The biggest Plus, namely five points, entered Parliament, and parties.
Criticism does not mean rejection
From the results of Vehrkamp, and Co-author Michael Koß conclude that criticism of the weaknesses of democracy, the General acceptance does not undermine.
"Most people in Germany do not appreciate democracy, even if it works in practice is perfect." The perception of deficits was no cause for alarm-ISM, - stated in the study.
"In political science we are speaking Citizen from the Critical. He sees the practical Functioning of democracy, but that has no effect on its support, in principle, for the values, rules and institutions of democracy. Also, I would count myself among this group,“ explained Vehrkamp.
To be "a Problem of low satisfaction only, if you damage the legitimacy of democracy as such," explained Vehrkamp. "But that's according to the results of our study in Germany, not even approach the case."
Efforts to improve the Functioning of democracy are not superfluous – the results are cushions not a "democracy, political peace," the authors write. "We want to break a lance for the dissatisfaction with the practical Functioning of democracy is seen as a crisis of democracy itself. So that we can talk unnecessarily bad. But as a sign for the stability and resilience of our democracy, it should not be overlooked, underestimated, or small talk.“
Broad data basis over a number of years
For the "democracy monitor 2026" and were interviewed according to the authors, between 2019 and 2025, six times more than 5000 people. With 72 questions in eight categories were knocked to the basic support and the satisfaction with the practice: elections, Public – are meant especially freedom of expression and freedom of the press, Parliament, government, separation of powers, civil rights, participation is political commitment beyond elections and parties.
The respondents were unable to rate their satisfaction on a scale of one (strongly disagree) to seven (strongly agree). For the above-mentioned support, the values were drawn from five to seven of the scale together.
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