André Bächtiger

André Bächtiger is Professor of Political Theory and Empirical Democracy Research at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, where he serves as Head of Sowi II, Managing Director of the General Institute, and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. His work focuses on deliberative democracy, political communication, and democratization processes globally, with significant contributions to understanding how citizen deliberation can strengthen democratic systems.

• PhD from University of Bern (2003)
• Habilitation from University of Bern (2010)
• Research Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill (2002-2003)
• Swiss Chair Fellow at European University Institute, Florence (2004)

Bächtiger's research centers on deliberative democracy, examining how citizens engage in reasoned discourse to shape democratic outcomes. His work spans political communication, analyzing how religious reasons function in public spheres, and democratization processes in Africa and Asia. He investigates direct democratic mechanisms, particularly how citizen forums and deliberative minipublics can enhance democratic legitimacy, reduce polarization, and address representation gaps in contemporary democracies.

His recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward addressing democratic crises through deliberative approaches. Bächtiger examines how to deliberate with authoritarians, extremists, and populists while developing practical frameworks for empowered minipublics. His work increasingly focuses on digital democratic innovations, the role of small groups in democratic renewal, and boundary questions regarding who constitutes the democratic demos in increasingly complex political environments.

• Förderprofessor of the Swiss National Science Foundation (2010-2015)
• Visiting Fellow at Center for Advanced Studies, LMU Munich (2017)
• Visiting Professor at Abo Akademi University, Finland (2016-2017)

Bächtiger leads multiple research projects funded by prestigious organizations including the Swiss National Science Foundation and Australian Research Council. His current work includes examining legitimacy as multi-level judgment, conducting a meta-study of democratic deliberation, and investigating digital democratic innovations. He collaborates with international scholars across Europe, North America, and Australia to advance both theoretical understanding and practical applications of deliberative democracy.

As co-director of the Stuttgart Research Center ZIRIUS and through his leadership roles at the University of Stuttgart, Bächtiger oversees research teams focused on democratic innovation and political theory. His work uniquely bridges empirical research with normative democratic theory, creating a robust framework for understanding how deliberation functions in diverse political contexts and how it can be strengthened to address contemporary democratic challenges.