CEU Presidential Lecture – Steffen Mau

Leading German sociologist Steffen Mau explores the tensions shaping contemporary societies—caught between rapid change and a growing sense of crisis. At the heart of his talk “Societies of Change, Societies of Crisis? On the Contestations of the Liberal Model” is a key question: why is the liberal model, once seen as stable and widely accepted, now facing increasing pressure and public debate?

Looking at major developments such as globalization, migration, digital transformation, and economic change, Mau shows how these forces are reshaping social structures and creating new uncertainties. Not everyone experiences these changes in the same way: for some, they open up new opportunities, while for others they bring insecurity and a sense of loss. As a result, views on fairness, inclusion, and the future are becoming more divided.

Mau also highlights the new lines of conflict emerging across cultural, economic, and political spheres. Public debates are becoming more intense and emotionally charged, and trust in institutions, political leaders, and democratic processes is under strain. For many, the liberal model no longer feels like a given, but rather like something that is being questioned and renegotiated.

The CEU Presidential Lecture will be held in English.

Steffen Mau is a German sociologist and Professor of Macrosociology at Humboldt University in Berlin. His research focuses on social inequality, transformation processes, and the changing dynamics of contemporary societies, particularly in the context of globalization and political conflict.

Mau is the author of several widely discussed books, including „Lütten Klein. Leben in der ostdeutschen Transformationsgesellschaft“ (2019), „Sortiermaschinen. Die Neuerfindung der Grenze im 21. Jahrhundert“ (2021), and „Triggerpunkte. Konsens und Konflikt in der Gegenwartsgesellschaft“ (2023, with Thomas Lux and Linus Westheuser). Across his work, Mau combines empirical research with a clear, accessible style, offering sharp insights into the tensions and transformations shaping modern liberal societies.

 Image of Steffen Mau © Benjamin Zibner/Suhrkamp Verlag