#rp26 speaker Nils C. Kumkar: Polarisation as a driving force for democracy?

“What if polarisation isn’t the problem at all, but a solution? And what problems does polarisation solve?” This is the question that knowledge sociologist Nils C. Kumkar explores. In his latest book, he starts from a striking observation: there is little empirical evidence to support the idea that society is splitting into two radical blocs. 

At the same time, we experience polarisation as something ever-present: when extreme positions become increasingly vocal and visible – for example, through populist mobilisation and reinforcing media narratives – the impression of a deep social divide emerges. What we perceive as polarisation is therefore generated and amplified primarily through communication. After all, the broad middle ground still holds moderate views.

For Nils C. Kumkar, conflict is an integral part of democracy, as it not only shapes public discourse but also provides direction and enables political decision-making. Polarisation only becomes problematic when opposition turns into moral condemnation and the legitimacy of one’s political opponents is called into question. 

A sober look at social debates can therefore be beneficial: rather than jumping to conclusions about division, we can also view polarisation as a force that helps shape modern societies. At re:publica 26, we will be discussing both the risks and the productive democratic potential of polarisation with Nils C. Kumkar.

Nils C. Kumkar is a sociologist specialising in knowledge and communication and has been working at SOCIUM in Bremen since 2016, where he conducts research and publishes on political conflict, social inequality, digitalisation, alternative facts and conspiracy theories. He currently holds the visiting professorship at the Chair of Sociological Theory at the University of Bamberg. His book ‘Alternative Fakten: Zur Praxis der kommunikativen Erkenntnisverweigerung’ (Alternative Facts: On the Practice of Communicative Denial of Knowledge) was published in 2022, followed in 2025 by ‘Polarisierung: Über die Ordnung der Politik’ (Polarisation: On the Order of Politics).