Triggerpunkte: Konsens und Konflikt in der Gegenwartsgesellschaft

The book 'Triggerpunkte' by Steffen Mau, Thomas Lux, and Linus Westheuser provides a detailed analysis of social conflicts and consensus in modern German society.

It identifies four arenas of inequality—'oben-unten' (class and power), 'innen-aussen' (migration), 'wir-sie' (deviations from the status quo), and 'heute-morgen' (environmental issues)—and explores how specific 'trigger points' within these arenas can intensify controversies.

Despite widespread perceptions of societal polarization, the authors find that there is a significant consensus on many central issues such as migration, economic inequality, and climate policy.

However, certain trigger points, like gender-neutral language and specific environmental measures, can sharply escalate debates and create divisions.