Protestantism and the Debates about the German Welfare State

Social Protestantism in the Federal Republic of Germany has developed a new profile since the 1960s. At the same time, and in interaction with it, German society has undergone fundamental changes in its living environment, values and culture. In dealing with the economic and social challenges and in view of the increasing scientific character of the relevant debates, Protestantism adopted central dispositions of thought, some of which went back to the Weimar period, and realigned itself in terms of content and organisation. The leading perspective explores the weight of social Protestantism in the debates on the social order of the Federal Republic of Germany and examines the communication channels through which Protestant voices influenced the process of social self-assurance. The focus of interest is, among other things, the subject areas: Ageing society and demographic challenges, social Protestantism and the transformation of the working society, as well as subsidiarity and church welfare work.