Jeffrey C. Alexander: Lecture on civil society in Frankfurt (Oder)

Jeffrey C. Alexander: Lecture on civil society in Frankfurt (Oder)

On June 30, 2025, Prof. Dr. Jeffrey C. Alexander, a leading thinker and founder of cultural sociology, will give an important lecture at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). The event, part of the Ukraine Lecture Series, begins at 6 p.m. in the Senate Hall of the Viadrina Main Building and is titled: "Can Civil Peace extend beyond the Nation State? Europe, NATO, and the U.S. in the Shadow of the Russia-Ukraine War" reports European University.

In his lecture, Alexander will highlight the ways in which civil society can promote peace across national borders. He addresses the limited successes of international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations in comparison to NATO and the EU. He pays particular attention to the worrying impact of the fading memory of the Second World War on civil society engagement in Europe. In addition, US President Donald Trump's influence on the ideals of the civil sphere will be a critical point in his analysis.

current conflict situation in Ukraine

The geopolitical situation is also shaped by the current conflicts in Ukraine. On April 16, 2024, Russia reported an attack by the Ukrainian army on the occupied city of Tokmak in southeastern Ukraine. Russian authorities report at least ten deaths and numerous injuries after apartment blocks were hit. At the same time, there are reports from Ukraine of three civilian deaths as a result of Russian attacks in several parts of the country reports Deutschlandfunk.

These reports from war zones are often difficult to verify, highlighting the complexity of the entire situation. In his lecture, Alexander will consider the role of such conflicts and their impact on civil society, analyzing both the current and historical dimensions of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Cooperation between NATO and the EU

A particularly exciting aspect of Alexander's lecture is the discussion of the role of NATO and the EU in the context of the Ukraine war. These two institutions have historical connections and challenges through their different approaches to security architecture in Europe and beyond. Examining the interdependencies and potential rivalries between NATO and the EU will continue to be important as geopolitical tensions rise.

The lecture is funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation and takes place as part of the conference “The Civil Sphere in Central and Eastern Europe”. Jeffrey C. Alexander is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Yale University and founder of the Yale Center for Cultural Sociology. His current works, such as “Civil Repair” (2024) and “Frontlash/Backlash” (2025), reflect his extensive research and thinking on civil society issues reported by the Baden-Württemberg State Center for Civic Education.