The Berlin-based Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script” (SCRIPTS) explores how the liberal order is being challenged both globally and regionally. From authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin to right-wing populist movements such as the AfD, and the growing polarization and radicalization within societies—the threats to liberal democracy are as diverse as they are complex. Researchers at SCRIPTS investigate why these challenges arise, what dynamics drive them, and what consequences they may have—always engaging with regional perspectives.

Established in 2019 at Freie Universität Berlin and funded through the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments, SCRIPTS is dedicated to studying the intensified struggles and current challenges facing liberal models of society worldwide. The aim is to analyze the causes, dynamics, and consequences of these developments from a global, comparative, and historical perspective. SCRIPTS brings together the expertise of five leading Berlin research institutions and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars from a wide range of academic fields. By uniting 17 disciplines and partnering with institutions around the world, SCRIPTS promotes a broad spectrum of perspectives and creative approaches to address the complex questions of our time. In addition to its research activities, SCRIPTS places great emphasis on knowledge exchange with society and policymakers. Through public events, lecture series and exhibitions, workshops, and background briefings, research findings are made accessible to both the wider public and political decision-makers.

"Democracies around the world are under pressure. Our research helps to understand how liberal societies can respond to growing challenges without compromising their core values. The renewed funding enables us to continue this important work and to develop concrete strategies for strengthening democratic resilience."

Prof. Dr. Tanja Börzel, spokesperson of the SCRIPTS

In its first funding phase, SCRIPTS not only analyzed the intensifying conflicts surrounding liberal democracy but also helped shape the academic discourse on democratic resilience. Now, the cluster will deepen this research—pursuing new transdisciplinary approaches and strengthening its international networks even further. The second funding period is guided by the theme of democratic resilience. SCRIPTS will explore what enables democracies to remain adaptable. This research has the potential to provide crucial insights for the future of liberal societies.

Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Tanja Börzel (Freie Universität Berlin) Applicant university: Freie Universität Berlin Participating institutions:

• Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW)
• German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA)
• Hertie School of Governance (Hertie School)
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO)
• Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB)
• Zentrum für Osteuropa- und internationale Studien (ZOiS)

Academic cooperation partners:

• American University in Cairo
• Chinese University of Hong Kong 
• EI Colegio de Mexico I Mexico City
• Fudan University I Shanghai, China
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem I Israel 
• llia State University I Tbilisi, Georgien 
• Sciences Po I Paris, Frankreich 
• Jawaharlal Nehru University I New Delhi, lndien
• National University of Singapore 
• Princeton University I USA
• Stanford University I USA
• Universidade de Säo Paulo I Säo Paulo, Brasilien
• Universite Cheikh Anta Diop I Dakar, Senegal
• University of Cape Town I Südafrika
• University of Oxford I Vereinigtes Königreich 
• University of Wyoming I Laramie, USA
• Sabanci University I Istanbul, Türkei
• Waseda University I Tokyo, Japan
• University of Ghana I Accra, Ghana