Despite numerous crises in recent years, satisfaction with democracy in Germany has increased, according to a study by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), which is close to the Social Democratic Party. The study found that nearly half (48.7%) of the population is satisfied with democracy, which is a two percent increase from the first survey in 2019. However, there are significant differences in satisfaction levels based on regional origin, economic situation, and education level. Only 32.8% of participants who identified themselves as working-class expressed satisfaction with the functioning of democracy, compared to 64.2% of those from the upper-middle and upper class. Similarly, 63.6% of participants with low educational qualifications were dissatisfied with democracy, compared to 51% of those with high educational qualifications.
The study also examined preferences for different forms of government, with one-third of respondents believing that a government of neutral experts and constitutional courts is the best option, while two-thirds prefer a government of subject-matter experts. The study authors believe that a stronger focus on distributional justice and social balance could restore trust in democracy. For example, a clear majority of participants (57.6%) supported higher taxes on high incomes and wealth.
Despite the overall trend, trust in democracy among people in East Germany decreased by two percentage points, while satisfaction in the West increased by 2.5 percentage points. In the old federal states, 52% expressed satisfaction with democracy, while in the new federal states, just over a third (34%) of respondents were satisfied. The study highlights the need for political action to address the disparities in satisfaction levels among different population groups.
In conclusion, the study by FES shows that satisfaction with democracy in Germany has increased, but there are significant differences in satisfaction levels based on regional origin, economic situation, and education level. The study also highlights the need for political action to address the disparities in satisfaction levels among different population groups and to focus on distributional justice and social balance to restore trust in democracy.
