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Publications by Thorsten Benner
All Issue Areas
Global Order
Humanitarian Action
Migration
M&E
Peace & Security
Rights & Democracy
Data & Tech Politics
Years
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Podcast 28 Jan 2025
Leaders Mark 80 Years Since the Holocaust
World Holocaust Day… -
Commentary 24 Jun 2024
Should An Elite Business School Be Orbán’s Willing Partner? Don’t Ask Berlin’s ESMT
To regain credibility and prove that it actually holds an “open, democratic worldview,” the ESMT should end its partnership with the Mathias Corvinus Collegium – Viktor Orbán's flagship institution – and instead support independent civil society in Hungary.… -
Commentary 19 Jun 2024
Berliner Elitehochschule ESMT: Orbáns williger Partner
Das Mathias Corvinus Collegium, ein Prestigeprojekt des ungarischen Premiers, treibt die internationale Vernetzung der neuen Rechten mit voran. Eine Berliner BWL-Elitehochschule und ihre Unterstützer in der deutschen Wirtschaft legitimieren dies durch eine offizielle Partnerschaft.… -
Commentary 09 Aug 2022
Germany Must Abandon Its Debt Brake to Make Up for the Lost Merkel Years
Germany's 'debt brake' not only stifles urgent investments in a zero-carbon and digital transformation – it is becoming a security risk. Only by getting rid of the constitutional limit on new debt can Germany properly invest in itself and complete its “Zeitenwende”.… -
Commentary 10 Nov 2021
How Germany Can Help Ensure Peace in the Taiwan Strait
Germany's next government should courageously invest in relations with Taiwan, out of economic and political self-interest. In doing so, Berlin and Europe can actively contribute to a non-military deterrence of Beijing's increasingly aggressive stance in the region.… -
Commentary 09 Nov 2021
Europe Is Doubling Down on Taiwan
The European Parliament and some member states are driving a major shift in Europe's Taiwan policy – a direct reaction to Beijing’s increasingly confrontational stance. But for the new Brussels consensus to effectively deter Chinese aggression, the EU needs to move in lockstep.… -
Article 27 Oct 2021
How (Not) to Deal with the Vulnerabilities of Democracies to Outside Influence
In recent years, authoritarian states like China and Russia have used their power to influence democracies. What can democratic actors do to better protect themselves? … -
Commentary 08 Sep 2021
The ‘Zoomification’ of Academia: Addressing Risks to Academic Freedom
The pandemic made online learning a key part of university life. But virtual platforms also allow for surveillance by authoritarian states and increase pressures to self-censor. How can academia better protect scholars and students?… -
Commentary 17 Aug 2021
Wissenschaft, Medien und Politik schaden sich in der Corona-Krise gegenseitig
Corona zeigt, wie schwierig das Verhältnis von Wissenschaft, Politik und Medien sein kann. Ein Plädoyer gegen eine weitere Polarisierung der Debatte.… -
Commentary 05 Aug 2021
Pitfalls Between Science, Politics and Public Debate: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers with dissenting opinions are often classified as an irrelevant minority. But those who deny the real diversity of scientific opinion undermine trust in science – and in politics.… -
Commentary 26 Jul 2021
Die Untergangsängste der Kanzlerin
Ja, es geht auch um deutsche Wirtschaftsinteressen. Doch der wahre Grund für Merkels zurückhaltende China-Politik ist ein anderer: Sie hält Deutschland und das fragile Gebilde Europa für zu schwach im Wettbewerb mit China.… -
Commentary 18 Dec 2020
Why Good China Policy Is About More Than Just Relations With Beijing
If it wants to persist in the “competition of systems” with China's authoritarian state capitalism, Europe needs to assert itself as a player in its own right – with its own strategy. A key element of that should be cooperation with like-minded partners.… -
Commentary 16 Dec 2020
Kindred Spirits: How a Post-Brexit Britain and the EU Can Work Together to Strengthen Multilateralism
The UK and the EU are about to open a new chapter in their relationship, one that offers both sides an opportunity to focus more on what they can do together to shape the global order. They should not let it go to waste.… -
Study 22 Oct 2020
Risky Business: Rethinking Research Cooperation and Exchange with Non-Democracies
The assumption that research cooperation and dialogue with non-democracies will induce democratic change has not stood the test of time. Organizations in liberal democracies need to rethink how they engage and cooperate with their counterparts in authoritarian contexts.… -
Commentary 30 Jan 2020
Huawei sollte draußen bleiben
Die britische Regierung will Huawei am Ausbau des 5G-Netzes beteiligen. Doch für Deutschland und die EU ist das keine Option: Die Sicherheitsrisiken sind zu hoch.… -
Commentary 04 Nov 2019
How Should Universities Respond to China’s Growing Presence on Their Campuses?
For months, Hong Kong protestors have clashed with pro-Beijing supporters at academic institutions around the world. How can universities encourage respectful dialogue on China while fostering a violence-free environment?… -
Commentary 22 Oct 2019
Deutschland setzt sich massiven Risiken aus
By Thorsten Benner, Janka OertelDeutschen Netzwerkanbietern werden keine klaren Grenzen beim Einsatz von Technologie chinesischer Anbieter wie Huawei und ZTE für den Bau der 5G-Netze gesetzt. Der Bundestag muss diesen Fehler korrigieren.… -
Podcast 02 Apr 2019
The State of Human Rights in Brazil
Maria Laura Canineu talks to Thorsten Benner about police violence, the prison system and human rights in Bolsonaro's Brazil.… -
Commentary 30 Jan 2019
Kein Geld von Antidemokraten!
Universitäten sollten keine Drittmittel von autoritären Staaten annehmen. Plädoyer für eine demokratische Selbstverpflichtung.… -
Commentary 21 Jan 2019
Germany Needs to Lead a United Front for Canada and Against Beijing’s Aggression