The foundation is devoted to the comparative study of European dictatorships in the 20th century as well as their democratic transition. Its objective is to contribute to the historical coming to terms with and the comparative analysis of dictatorships of fascist, national socialist and communist provenance as well as authoritarian regimes; i.e. to elucidate their mechanisms of rule and their driving forces. From a European angle, the Stiftung Ettersberg organises international symposia, scientific conferences and colloquia, of which the results are issued in our own publication serial. In Thuringia, in the heart of Europe, the foundation promotes the dialogue between prolific university institutes, scientific and pedagogical institutions and other initiatives that operate in the field of dictatorship research and democratic transition processes. It organises exhibitions and initiates competitions for students on issues such as experience of dictatorship, stabilisation and endangering of democracy. Additionally, the Stiftung Ettersberg invites junior academics to a regular competition for a scholarship.

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