Lecture by Dr. Matthias Gsänger, Philipp Kessler and Levi Rhomberg on the topic “The potential of citizens’ councils: What role can they play in our political system?”
11/25/2025
As part of the Forum Sustainability event series the kick-off event for the winter term 2025/26 on the main topic of "Sustainability policy on the defensive?!", took place on 25th November 2025. After a brief introduction by Dr. Matthias Gsänger, he gave a lecture together with Philipp Kessler and Levi Rhomberg (all from JMU) on the topic “The potential of citizens’ councils: What role can they play in our political system?”.
Levi Rhomberg opened the series of presentations with a keynote speech on the Würzburg Future Council on “Fair Mobility”. The first Citizens’ Council of Würzburg was both a transformative and research experiment: A randomly selected group of citizens voluntarily participated in three meetings in the summer of 2025 and developed 15 recommendations for action, which were then submitted to the city council. The forum focused on direct and interactive participation by attendees, the provision of information by two mobility experts, among others, as well as an accompanying scientific documentation. The response was mainly positive – both participants and political actors saw added value in the process. However, questions remain regarding the effective implementation of the recommendations for action, the financing and continuation of such formats.
In his subsequent keynote speech, Dr. Matthias Gsänger embedded deliberative systems such as citizens’ councils in democratic theory. This approach understands political decision-making and conflict resolution, among other things, as a dialogue-based, argumentative process that does not necessarily have to be consensus-oriented or promote participation. Using international examples such as the Irish Citizens’ Assembly or local initiatives such as the “eco-village” in Altershausen, Gsänger highlighted both the opportunities and limitations of such formats. Key potential lies in democratic legitimacy and in activating as well as strengthening civil society. At the same time, questions remain open regarding practical implementation, narrowing down topics and institutional anchoring.
Philipp Kessler concluded the series of presentations with a discussion of the potential and challenges of citizens’ councils. He highlighted the potential that such participation formats offer participants by giving them a voice. He also distinguished between the input and output legitimacy of the councils and discussed the associated challenges, such as the possible overrepresentation of certain groups and the actual implementation of the recommendations for action that have been developed. In addition, Kessler addressed, among other things, the problem of paternalism and the question of how freedom from domination and independence can be guaranteed in community-initiated participation processes.
The three keynote speeches were followed by a lively discussion in which the audience was able to set their own priorities.
The events will be organized in interdisciplinary cooperation with the Chair of Social Science Sustainability Research, the Department of Political Theory, the Chair of International Relations and European Studies, the Chair of Public Law and International Economic Law and the WueLAB. The event was eligible for GSiK certificates ("Intercultural Competence" in area C and "Sustainability and Global Responsibility").
