Aladin El-Mafaalani

In his brand-new book, our favorite guest Aladin El-Mafaalani offers a new explanation for the rise of populism and conspiracy ideologies.

For anyone who wants to understand why trust is becoming increasingly important, but mistrust increasingly likely, and what consequences comprehensive crises of trust have for society. In an increasingly complex society, you have to trust. Without trust in social systems and institutions, we become incapable of action. In order not to become incapable of action as a distrustful person, there is a frightening alternative: we trust those who are also distrustful. And not because of their competence or experience, but solely because of our shared distrust. Communities of distrust arise—a danger to social stability.

El-Mafaalani's razor-sharp analyses of the present repeatedly manage to dispel the clouds and provide a clear view of the state of our society.