Societal change begins in the minds of people. It was with this belief that the founders of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy laid the groundwork for a School of Political Science on July 14, 1950. The founding charter put it plainly:

“From scientific research and teaching—and from bitter personal experience—we know that the healthy development of a democratic state is best secured when all citizens actively participate in political life, thereby upholding the ideals of humanity, freedom, social justice and peace.”

Those ideals remain relevant today. At a time when democracies around the world are under pressure—from disinformation and climate crises to global conflicts, pandemics, and shifting digital dynamics—the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy continues to embrace its educational mission, while also seeking innovative, solutions oriented towards the common good.

Over the past decade, under the umbrella of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the school has evolved significantly. With cutting-edge study programs at the intersection of politics and technology, and its own think tank, the school today represents a modern, interdisciplinary approach to political science—one grounded in societal change. Its research and teaching are driven by technological innovation and the pressing challenges of contemporary society.

By creating a vibrant intellectual space, the school empowers young people not only to understand democratic institutions, but to help shape them—actively and critically, with a forward-looking perspective on technological transformation.

To celebrate 75 years of the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy is to honor 75 years of strengthening democratic culture—through education, research, and open dialogue. Because democracy is never a given. It must be relearned, reimagined, and lived—especially in an age of profound technological and societal shifts.