Christian Welzel

Christian Welzel

Chair in Political Culture Research | Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

Bio

Christian Welzel is a renowned social scientist deeply invested in understanding the evolution of human values. His work revolves around how societies progressively move toward more liberal and inclusive moral perspectives. He is particularly fascinated by the forces that guide this transformation, exploring how values shift over generations to reflect a more progressive, benevolent outlook on human nature and society.

In his TEDx talk, Christian emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence amidst cultural differences. He believes that the key to a functioning democracy lies in liberal tolerance—acknowledging and respecting differing values without viewing them as sources of conflict. Rather than striving for cultural homogeneity, he advocates for open communication and the ability to agree to disagree. For Christian, this is the essence of democracy, allowing societies to navigate polarization through understanding and dialogue.

Christian envisions a perfect world not as a destination, but as an ongoing process of improvement. He argues that humanity’s journey toward progress is a continual struggle to let our “better angels” dominate—those aspects of our nature that are more compassionate and benevolent. His hope is to inspire others to recognize this long-term moral evolution and to actively engage in shaping a world that values inclusivity, tolerance, and mutual respect.