How Is Collective Identity Possible in Democracies? Political Integration and the Leitkultur Debate in Germany

Abstract The quest for a common collective identity has become challenge modern democracy: Liberal demands greater inclusion and individual freedom, aspirations strong solidaric political community, as well nationalist or right-wing populist calls exclusion preservation of hegemonic national identities are creating tensions that cannot be overlooked. This article therefore formulates the central question how can possible in liberal democracy. Based on case study Germany, it will examined whether Leitkultur model integration serve generating functional democratic identity. necessary benchmarks guiding analysis defined beforehand from systems-theoretical perspective, balancing within three crucial dimensions: normative basics, historic continuity, affirmative bindings. results show static definition German would long run neither achieve nor able to generate cohesion especially regarding second third dimensions.