New Research Institute: Defending democracy without destroying it

How can democracy, human rights, and security be reconciled and strengthened in an age of growing threats? This is the question addressed by the new Max Planck Center for Democracy, Security, and Human Rights. It is a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security, and Law (MPI-CSL) in Freiburg and the Minerva Center for Human Rights (MCHR) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The center was officially opened at the Hebrew University on November 11, 2025.

Around the world, democracy is under pressure. The V-Dem Report 2024 documents a steady global decline in the number of liberal democracies, raising urgent questions about how democratic institutions can remain resilient while responding to complex security challenges. The Max Planck Center for Democracy, Security and Human Rights will tackle one of the defining dilemmas of our time: How can societies defend themselves without destroying the democratic and rule of law values they seek to protect? The Center brings together experts in constitutional, human-rights, and security law to study the dynamic relationship between democratic governance and public security —  and to develop innovative approaches that transcend the traditional “security versus liberty” divide.

Learn more about the Max Planck Center