idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Guest of Honor and Greetings: H. E. Dr. Peter Reuss, German Ambassador to the Czech Republic
Germany’s cooperation with dictatorships has been widely criticized over the past decade. Close ties to non-democratic states such as Russia, China, and Qatar have led to calls for tougher sanctions. However, the export-oriented Federal Republic of Germany is dependent on many autocracies, which makes it difficult to advocate for human rights and sanctions.Based on extensive archival research, historian Frank Bösch shows how these close relationships with dictatorships around the world have developed since 1950. His lecture illustrates how an economy-oriented pragmatism created various longterm connections: in the Middle East, Latin America, and even socialist Eastern Europe. After National Socialism, anti-communist dictatorships often became partners, ranging from South Korea and Iran to Libya and Chile. Bösch also shows how, since the late 1960s, advocacy for human rights has successfully put pressure on individual dictatorships. Cooperation between the government and NGOs such as Amnesty International led to the release of political prisoners. Targeted sanctions could indeed lead to improvements in human rights. The lecture thus offers a new perspective on the history of German democracy: it supplements the history of Westward integration and Ostpolitik with a look at relations with global dictatorships.
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The “Prague Lectures” provide an opportunity for Czech and German scholars to meet and discuss topics related to history and the humanities. These events provide information on ongoing research projects and recent publications, encourage theoretical and methodological reflections, and promote transnational collaboration. The lectures and walks are open to students and the public.
Information on participating / attending:
Registration for online participation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JxYev717RnOJ3O3oGio-3A#/registration
Date:
05/11/2026 17:30 - 05/11/2026 19:00
Event venue:
Faculty of Arts, Charles University, nám. Jana Palacha 1/2, lecture hall P300
Praha 1
Czech Republic
Target group:
Scientists and scholars, Students
Email address:
Relevance:
international
Subject areas:
History / archaeology, Politics, Social studies
Types of events:
Presentation / colloquium / lecture
Entry:
03/04/2026
Sender/author:
Virginie Michaels
Department:
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Event is free:
yes
Language of the text:
English
URL of this event: http://idw-online.de/en/event81102
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