In total, one third of the German population has a right-wing populist world view in a broader sense. This is the result of a current study by the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. The belief in ‘secret powers’ to direct politics is also widespread.
Every fourth person is convinced of this, said communication scientist Frank Brettschneider on Tuesday when the research results were presented. The role of media coverage was also questioned. According to Brettschneider, a fifth of Germans believe that the mass media “lies systematically”. 16 percent of those surveyed think that Germany is increasingly becoming a ‘dictatorship’.
“Inventing truths has never been easier than now”
This is also a consequence of the fact that confidence in politics is decreasing. “When this frustration, this dissatisfaction grows stronger, the culprit is sought and one tinkers with one’s world and truths,” said Brettschneider, who explained the trend. “And this craft has never been easier than it is now,” he told the dpa.
In July 2023, the opinion research institute Forsa interviewed a total of 4,024 people with a German passport on behalf of the University of Hohenheim. Numerous conspiracy stories were brought into play to see which respondents believe or are inclined to believe.
Study on scientific skepticism in Austria
A similar study from the IHS in Austria was only presented on Monday. However, the emphasis was on trust in science. The pollsters found that every tenth Austrian completely rejects science. This value has largely remained the same in recent years, according to various studies.
However, the research team managed to calm things down to some extent: the majority of the Austrian population has a positive attitude towards science and democracy. The available data do not confirm that Austria is one of the most scientifically skeptical countries compared to other EU countries, said study leader Johannes Starkbaum.
Source: Krone
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