The series “13 questions” presents a successful culture of debate in the form of a textbook.
Was that now 13 questions? Or maybe 39? Or more? Can and should everyone: r everyone: n ask questions at any time or is there a moderator privilege? How many answers were there before, how many are there after?
The ZDF format “13 questions” is based on a debate concept, and it understands and shapes debate as the basic building block of a democratic understanding of society. When asked whether we need a migration quota, the microcosm of the topic is divided into yes / no fields, each: r should be on one page. Six people form two equally strong parties, the moderator asks the questions and gets the discussion going. There are also modest physical ways of giving a nuanced statement: approval or the opposite are marked with a step forward or a step back.
Then it must be clarified who this we is. Because there are six people leading the debate, there are six ideas. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that the no-sayers have a surprising yes in their quiver here and there as well. And vice versa, of course. Note: Arguments and differentiations are more important than clear directions. And also note: If several participants in the debate talk at one another, this expresses authenticity and spontaneity and serves the emotional presence of individuals present, but not the establishment of the truth.
“13 questions” in ZDFneo: well-ordered and carefully moderated
If, on the other hand, people don’t talk confused, but listen carefully, there are opportunities to at least partially accept convincing arguments against their own opinion, but definitely to appreciate them. This also creates the opportunity to compromise. How all this happens can be seen in this format in a relatively well-organized and carefully moderated manner.
So much for the formal process.
To the broadcast
Diversity for future! Do we need a migration quota? First episode of the online series “13 questions” in ZDFneo. Sunday, June 20, 2021, 11:15 p.m.
However, it is not only about manners, but also about the content-relevant question of the migration quota, about experiences of discrimination and suggestions as to how they could be avoided. It quickly becomes apparent that not even the three who are in favor of a migration quota might want to be hired somewhere because of such a quota, as fulfillment of the migration quota: in. After all, that would just be another level of discrimination.
“13 questions” in ZDFneo: presenter Salwa Houmsi with discreet determination
Just as quickly it becomes clear that the focus is on questions of access to education and professional success. So the first compromise formula emerges, on which all six emphatically agree with a nod: Education, as a prerequisite for any concept of social equality, is more important than a quota, which would be more of a political-activist demand than a solution to the problem. In multiple variations, an interesting thought emerges that will play a colorful role in the upcoming election campaigns: that of prohibition. Why not just forbid discrimination and create complaints offices and sanctions for it?
Oh dear. You can already hear politically motivated argumentation models in your mind, which fortunately do not appear in the program.
Below a prohibition and sanctioning threshold, however, there might also be awareness-raising offers and strategies. Moderator Salwa Houmsi steers all six towards a system of compromise formulas with discreet determination. This is how democracy works if it is successful in terms of form and content. This is relaxing because inevitably, and not just until September 26th, there will be an annoying series of screenings in which it works worse and less pleasantly. (Hans-Jürgen Linke)
