Talk: Cohesion and Resilience in Community and Society

In cases where strong social cohesion is the result of proximity, common interests, and shared identity, solidarity is not a problem. Naturally, societies with higher levels of social cohesion are healthier and more resilient to external shocks. However, not all societies have strong social cohesion. How can we promote greater resilience in society? There is also an inherent tension between living for oneself and living for others.
Dr. Clara van den Berg (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, WZB) and Dr. Leah Gose (USC Dornsife’s Equity Research Institute) will discuss the differences between community and society when it comes to solidarity, resilience, and social cohesion.

What matters more: community or society?
Individual freedom or solidarity?
What constitutes a society based on solidarity?
These questions are of great urgency in these times. Polarization and division seem currently to be the tried and tested means of political discussion. Global migration is intensifying the discussion about who has what duties towards whom, who should show solidarity towards whom and who can be denied solidarity.
In discussions between German and US philosophers and experts such as Omri Boehm, Susannah Heschel, Jan-Werner Müller and Susan Neiman, the differences and similarities on both sides of the Atlantic will be debated when it comes to what holds a society together. All in-person events will be recorded and published as podcasts. Listen now wherever your get your podcasts!

More about Double Exposure

Double Exposure is a project organized by the Goethe-Instituts North America in collaboration with the American Council on Germany and funded by the Executive Board of the Goethe-Institut.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Goethe-Institut Chicago, 150 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States