Ralf Fücks

The war in Ukraine is a test for liberal democ­racies’ resolve and for their capacity to act. There is still time to turn the tide. Otherwise, future histo­rians will mark this...

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is putting Germans and all Europeans in danger. His current policy seriously risks defeat in Ukraine, which would embolden Moscow and raise the likelihood of a wider war with Russia in which the missiles could be falling on Cologne rather than Kyiv – An Open Letter to Germany’s Leaders from Inter­na­tional and German Experts.

Vladimir Putin’s brutal attack on Ukraine has changed Germany’s perspective of Russia by highlighting the country’s imperi­alism and Ukraine’s central role as the empire’s crown jewel.

Another Russia is possible: On 5/​6 June, repre­sen­ta­tives of the Russian opposition and the EU discussed the perspec­tives of a post-imperial and democ­ratic Russia. LibMod Director Ralf Fücks summa­rizes the four key takeaways.

PUBLIC CALL Demon­stration and rally on the anniversary of the Russian invasion

During an Inspiring Round­table last week, we discussed the West’s future Russia policy on the basis of four key countries’ approach — Poland, France, Germany and the US. Some short takeaways:

Opening Speech by Ralf Fücks at the Conference “Rethinking Russia” in the Sejmas of Vilnius

The Center for Liberal Modernity’s Expert Network Russia kicked off last week with a one-day meeting in Vilnius. In his opening remarks, Ralf Fücks reminded everyone why we need to Rethink Russia.

It is time to think about a Russia after Putin. If defeated in Ukraine, condi­tions in the country will also change. Whether for the better or the worse is an open question. Without a departure from the imperial delusion, Russia will remain in the eternal vicious circle of war politics and author­i­tarian rule.

Chancellor Scholz supports Ukraine only so much that it can defend itself with diffi­culty, but cannot launch a counter­attack. But if Putin is not defeated in Ukraine, there will be no...

We must stop funding Putin’s war with our energy imports

How should the West counter Russian threats of war? We document Ralf Fücks’ OP ED at DIE WELT, 21.12.2021.

The impact of the Biden-Merkel-Agreement on Nord Stream 2 in Ukraine is simply disas­trous. Especially among western oriented, reform-minded people trust in Germany and the US fell at a record low. China...

Ahead to the Past – The World in the Mind of Putin Эту статью можно читать и на русском

An intro­duction to our report and a summary of our results.

Fly less! Eat less meat! In the struggle against climate change, there is one thing in particular we should do: moderate our lifestyles. Individual respon­si­bility definitely matters. Will renun­ci­ation and...

Over the last 200 years, Liber­alism has been a stunning success story. It brought forward liberty and prosperity for the many instead of privi­leges for the few. Yet, today liberal thinking and...

A summary of the elections in Bavaria, one of the major German states with more then 9 million voters.

Society is caught up in a whirlwind of change. The power of liberal democ­racies is dwindling and the political balance in the world is shifting. An interview with Ralf Fücks on...

What the decision for another „Grand Coalition” led by Chancellor Merkel implies for Germany, EU and the Transat­lantic Alliance.

In the coalition agreement, the CDU and the SPD dodge important reforms and take a scattershot approach to the distri­b­ution of a great deal of money. The big challenges, like climate, demographic...

The rapid pace of moderni­sation renders people suscep­tible to populism. In cosmopolitan milieus, this came as a surprise. Yet the warning signs had long been apparent.