Discriminatory attitudes extend across all social classes of the Munich population. This is shown by the “Munich Monitor” study commissioned by the city of Munich . The study conducted by the Ludwig Maximilians University researched satisfaction with democracy and experiences of discrimination among Munich residents.
Pronounced Israel-related antisemitism evident
About a quarter of Munich’s citizens would like to draw a “line” to the process of coming to terms with National Socialism. In addition, the researchers found pronounced Israel-related antisemitism in Munich’s urban society.
Those most affected by discrimination are the long-term unemployed, refugees, homeless people, Sinti and Roma, and Muslims. The devaluation trends in Munich are comparable to those in the entire Federal Republic.
Broad support for democracy
Most Munich residents are satisfied with the basic democratic values. However, a conspiracy mentality and perceived political powerlessness are also evident among parts of the city’s population, write the study authors.
Racism as the most common form of discrimination
30 percent of those surveyed said they had been victims of discrimination in the last twelve months. At 55 percent, racist forms of discrimination clearly come first, followed by discrimination based on gender at 33 percent. Four out of ten respondents were also affected by multiple discrimination.
Racist behavior occurs regularly and in many different places , according to the study organizers. Racism manifests itself in a variety of forms: from clichés and insults to disproportionate police controls and physical attacks and violence.
Mayor concerned about “history-forgotten slogans”
“Especially against the background of the current socio-political situation, it is important to deal with the results of the study and take them seriously,” said Mayor Dominik Krause from the Greens. “For me as mayor, this is a clear mandate for city politics to protect minorities and vulnerable groups from discrimination, devaluation and exclusion.”
Krause is particularly concerned about how many people are calling for a “final line” with regard to the crimes of the Nazi era. “This wish carries the risk that historically forgotten slogans of ‘people’ and ‘fatherland’ will be perceived as normal again.”
Political scientist: “There’s still a lot of work ahead of us”
Miriam Heigl, head of the Department for Democracy, adds that the study shows that a large proportion of Munich residents pursue democratic ideals. “On the other hand, they also make people sit up and take notice – especially with regard to the pronounced devaluation of people due to their precarious social status or a racist attribution. This and the connectivity of conspiracy narratives show that there is still a lot of work ahead of us for a democratic urban society in which diversity is the norm is lived,” said Heigl.
The “Munich Monitor” should be carried out regularly in the future and thus be able to reflect anti-democratic developments in Munich’s urban society.
