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New Appointment

Inequality Between Politics and Public Perception

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  • Research Alliance Ruhr
  • UA Ruhr
  • Research
Although inequality is increasing in Germany, redistribution plays a subordinate role in politics – especially in election campaigns. The reasons for this and the factors that influence public perception are the research focus of Dr Florian Fastenrath, newly appointed junior professor at the College for Social Sciences and Humanities of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) and at the Institute for Socio-Economics of the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Comparative Political Economy examines how economic, political and social processes are interrelated, particularly in the case of far-reaching transitions. In addition to technological change and globalisation, this also includes growing economic and social inequality. In his research group ‘Political Economy of Inequality’ at the College, Prof. Florian Fastenrath concentrates on the question how politics and society address this inequality. How is public opinion formed on this issue? What factors hinder or promote redistributive policies?

“Those who would benefit from redistribution do not automatically support progressive measures such as a higher inheritance tax”, explains Fastenrath. “This is also due to prevailing narratives such as that of meritocracy – the idea that wealth is primarily the result of individual achievement. This is not true for inheritance, for example. I analyse how these ideas emerge, spread and gain political impact.” To this end, he conducts interviews with political actors, speaks with citizens in focus groups, and analyses surveys and media content. In doing so, he wants to find out why the interests of particular groups are underrepresented in politics.

At the Institute for Socio-Economics, Florian Fastenrath is involved in teaching and a doctoral programme. Within the University Alliance Ruhr, he also sees manifold opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to better understand complex issues of justice and social development: “The College provides ideal conditions for innovative projects that combine political science, sociology, economy and the humanities.“ On an international level, he will intensify the academic exchange with the Psychology of Inequality Lab at the University of California, Irvine (USA), and he is planning a workshop series on methodological challenges.

Prior to his appointment, Florian Fastenrath held a substitute professorship at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau and worked at the universities of Bonn (2023–25), Duisburg-Essen (2020–23) and Cologne (2019). Following his studies in Economics, he completed his dissertation in Political Science at the University of Cologne in 2019. He spent a research stay at the University of California, Berkeley (USA) in 2017.

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Further information:

Interview with Florian Fastenrath (College website): www.college-uaruhr.de/features

Profile page of the research group ‘Political Economy of Inequality ‘: www.college-uaruhr.de/research/research-groups/political-economy-of-inequality

Doctoral programme ‘The Political Economy of Socio-Ecological Transformation’ at the Institute for Socio-Economics: www.uni-due.de/soziooekonomie/promotionskolleg

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr Florian Fastenrath, College for Social Sciences and Humanities & University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Socio-Economics; Phone: 0201/183 65 62; e-mail: florian.fastenrathcollege-uaruhrde

Press contact:
Melina Wachtling, Phone: 0201/183 65 42; e-mail: melina.wachtlingcollege-uaruhrde

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About the College for Social Sciences and Humanities

The College for Social Sciences and Humanities is part of the Research Alliance Ruhr founded in 2021. It promotes high-profile research in the social sciences and humanities within the University Alliance Ruhr and advances international cooperation and visibility. As an Institute for Advanced Study, the College provides a cross-university forum for exploring innovative fields of research and stimulates interdisciplinary collaboration in the social sciences and humanities. The cornerstones of the College are research professorships, research groups, and the international Senior Fellowship Programme.

www.college-uaruhr.de | Newsletter: www.college-uaruhr.de/newsletter

 

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