Politics of Non-Sustainability
The research project (PONN) investigates the role of national-authoritarian attitudes and aspects of social inequality with regard to a socio-ecological transformation of society.
Against the backdrop of worsening ecological and social problems, the implementation of sustainable policies is being called for by large sections of politics, civil society, science and the public: be it the establishment of sustainable mobility systems, changes in the agricultural sector or the transformation of the energy system. However, the various fields of socio-ecological transformation are dependent on societal and political framework conditions that extend far beyond their respective thematic fields and thereby determine the chances of success of political adoption and practical implementation.
In the context of the research project "Policies of Non-Sustainability" (PONN), this is to be set in the context of two recent developments between which there seems to be a connection: the rise of national-authoritarian populist movements and parties and the emergence of new social disparities. Our pilot study asks about the implications and consequences for a transformation of society towards sustainability.
The one-year joint project is designed as a meta-study and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The implementation, at the European University Flensburg (EUF) and the Technical University Dortmund, is divided into three work packages in order to both theoretically elaborate and empirically illuminate the nexus described above.
Work package 1: Literature study
Work package 1 will be conducted by the Norbert Elias Center (NEC) at the EUF.
The aim is a systematic evaluation of the relevant and current, predominantly German-language, literature on national-authoritarian populism in the context of entanglements with policies of (non-)sustainability. Special consideration will be given to the emergence of new social disparities, and how and whether this entanglement embeds itself in new social disparities. In addition to a comparative analysis of different research perspectives and results, central desiderata in this relatively young field of investigation are to be identified in order to determine further research needs.
Work package 2: Secondary data analysis
Work package 2 is carried out by the Institute of Sociology at the TU Dortmund University.
The aim is to find out, on the basis of representative data, whether correlation patterns can be identified between climate protection and environmental attitudes on the one hand and nationalist-populist orientations on the other. In addition, we will examine how social situation characteristics and attitudes toward social inequality relate to the presumed connection. To this end, three secondary data sets (ESS, GESIS panel, SOEP) will be consulted and used to shed light on the initial question.
Work package 3: Preparation of results for political decision-makers and the interested public
Work package 3 is mainly carried out by the NEC in cooperation with the Institute of Sociology at the TU Dortmund University.
The aim of the project is not only to enrich the scientific discourse on the described complex of phenomena, but also to bring it to a broader public. Therefore, the results of the pilot study will be bundled in a separate publication - with the claim to make the contents accessible to a non-scientific or general public as well. In addition, suggestions are discussed on how to deal socially and politically with the connection between national-authoritarian populism and policies of non-sustainability. This handout will be presented to politicians and the public in a transfer event in Berlin in May 2021.
The first results of the project were published in the form of a handout for the public. The brochure "At the expense of the people! Right-wing populist positions on climate and environment" can be downloaded here.
A three-part podcast on policies of non-sustainability is here and on all relevant platforms freely available.
Within the framework of the agenda process for social-ecological research (SÖF) 2018.
Project Duration
06/2020 to 05/2021 (13 months)
Publications
Sommer, B./ Schad, M./ Kadelke, P./ Humpert, F./ Möstl, C. (2022): Rechtspopulismus vs. Klimaschutz? Positionen, Einstellungen, Erklärungsansätze. München: oekom Verlag. [Publisher Information]
Sommer, B./ Schad, M./ Möstl, C./ Humpert, F./ Kadelke, P. (2021): Rechtspopulismus als Desiderat der sozial-ökologischen Transformationsforschung? Themen und Perspektiven, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 30 (1), S. 62-64. [online available]
Humpert, F./ Kadelke, P./ Möstl, C./ Schad, M./ Sommer, B. (2021): Auf Kosten des Volkes. Rechtspopulistische Positionen zu Klima und Umwelt. Handreichung zu den Projektergebnissen PONN. [online available]

Project Management
Dr. Miriam Schad, TU Dortmund
Dr. Bernd Sommer, Europa-Universität Flensburg
Project Team
Philipp Kadelke, M.A., TU Dortmund
Kira Buschkämper, TU Dortmund
Franziska Humpert, Europa-Universität Flensburg
Christian Möstl, Europa-Universität Flensburg
Lilly Gerlach, Europa-Universität Flensburg
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The campus of TU Dortmund University is located close to interstate junction Dortmund West, where the Sauerlandlinie A 45 (Frankfurt-Dortmund) crosses the Ruhrschnellweg B 1 / A 40. The best interstate exit to take from A 45 is "Dortmund-Eichlinghofen" (closer to Campus Süd), and from B 1 / A 40 "Dortmund-Dorstfeld" (closer to Campus Nord). Signs for the university are located at both exits. Also, there is a new exit before you pass over the B 1-bridge leading into Dortmund.
To get from Campus Nord to Campus Süd by car, there is the connection via Vogelpothsweg/Baroper Straße. We recommend you leave your car on one of the parking lots at Campus Nord and use the H-Bahn (suspended monorail system), which conveniently connects the two campuses.
TU Dortmund University has its own train station ("Dortmund Universität"). From there, suburban trains (S-Bahn) leave for Dortmund main station ("Dortmund Hauptbahnhof") and Düsseldorf main station via the "Düsseldorf Airport Train Station" (take S-Bahn number 1, which leaves every 20 or 30 minutes). The university is easily reached from Bochum, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Duisburg.
You can also take the bus or subway train from Dortmund city to the university: From Dortmund main station, you can take any train bound for the Station "Stadtgarten", usually lines U41, U45, U 47 and U49. At "Stadtgarten" you switch trains and get on line U42 towards "Hombruch". Look out for the Station "An der Palmweide". From the bus stop just across the road, busses bound for TU Dortmund University leave every ten minutes (445, 447 and 462). Another option is to take the subway routes U41, U45, U47 and U49 from Dortmund main station to the stop "Dortmund Kampstraße". From there, take U43 or U44 to the stop "Dortmund Wittener Straße". Switch to bus line 447 and get off at "Dortmund Universität S".
The AirportExpress is a fast and convenient means of transport from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Dortmund Central Station, taking you there in little more than 20 minutes. From Dortmund Central Station, you can continue to the university campus by interurban railway (S-Bahn). A larger range of international flight connections is offered at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which is about 60 kilometres away and can be directly reached by S-Bahn from the university station.
The H-Bahn is one of the hallmarks of TU Dortmund University. There are two stations on Campus Nord. One ("Dortmund Universität S") is directly located at the suburban train stop, which connects the university directly with the city of Dortmund and the rest of the Ruhr Area. Also from this station, there are connections to the "Technologiepark" and (via Campus Süd) Eichlinghofen. The other station is located at the dining hall at Campus Nord and offers a direct connection to Campus Süd every five minutes.
The facilities of TU Dortmund University are spread over two campuses, the larger Campus North and the smaller Campus South. Additionally, some areas of the university are located in the adjacent "Technologiepark".
Site Map of TU Dortmund University (Second Page in English).