Dr. Jonathan Hoffmann

Democracy & Future // Senior Project Manager @ Bertelsmann Stiftung // Personal views only

Ruhr Region

About

I work on redesigning democratic institutions so that those without a vote – future generations, young people and other structurally underrepresented groups – are systematically considered in political decision-making. My PhD research focused on institutional reforms that strengthen long-term responsibility in parliamentary democracies. I developed seven concrete proposals to adapt and complement existing democratic structures. Today, I develop and advance institutional reforms and strategic initiatives aimed at embedding long-term responsibility in democratic systems. My background includes teaching on political theory and advising organizations on strategy, transformation and organisational design. p.s. Everything is borrowed (the streets).

Experience

  • Senior Project Manager at Bertelsmann Stiftung
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

    Working within the programme for democracy and social cohesion on advancing future justice and giving youth a voice in policy processes.

  • External Lecturer in Political Theory at Universität Witten/Herdecke
    Oct 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 10 mos

    Holding seminars on 'Democracy and Future Generations' (2018/19) 'Institutions for the Future' (2019) 'Sustainability and Intergenerational Justice' (2019/20) 'Theories of Representation' (2020) 'Democracy: Concepts and Justifications' (2020) 'Democracy and the Future' (2020/21) 'Theories and Ethics of Risk' (2021) 'Can Democracy Safeguard the Future?' (2022) 'Political Philosophy of Animals' (2022/23) 'Democracy, Sustainability, and Civil Disobedience' (2023) 'Youth and Democracy' (2025) for advanced undergraduate and masters students.

  • Strategy Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
    Sep 2023 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Projects in the areas of sustainability, public sector, and industry, such as: - Strengthening the sustainability strategy of a German steel producer by developing a market model for the global steel scrap trade and crafting a strategy to enhance their circular economy approach - Developing a strategy for the HR department of a German research university, including the creation of a personnel planning tool - Transforming the European sales organization of a U.S. engineering company in the food industry

  • Lecturer at IU International University of Applied Sciences
    Oct 2021 - Sep 2023 · 2 yrs

    Delivering classes in 'academic writing', 'introduction to ethics' and 'socialisation and developmental psychology'

  • PhD Researcher at University of Warwick
    Oct 2017 - Apr 2023 · 5 yrs 7 mos

    Thesis: Democracy, Justice, & the Long Term – Designing Institutions for the Future Wrongful short-termism results in undue discounting of the future in political decisions. As a result, the future is wronged because too little is spent on disaster preparedness, climate mitigation and other long-term risks. In response, various proposals have been made to re-form democracy and install institutions for the future (F-Institutions). This thesis makes two arguments. First, it argues that installing F-Institutions can be justified on the basis of justice, democracy, and sovereignty, and secondly, it argues for specific criteria, methods, practices, strategies, and proposals for F-Institutions design. Available at: https://pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3922029~S15