RespectResearchGroup | Respect Newsletter (Issue 1)

hierarchy in groups. People one genuinely respects are usually people whom one would follow in their domain, whom one would like to get advice from, and be content working "under" their guidance. However, we believe that unfortunately current hierarchical systems are too artificial and often do not represent this natural sentiment anymore, … be it in politics, business, or other fields.
Secondly, we believe that recognition respect has a horizontal governing function in that it is an attitude (much like the Kantian “Achtung”) which sustains a group without suppressing individuality or innovativeness. We think that tolerance merely implies letting somebody else do something, while respectful behaviour is much more. It is about listening to others and their grounds and reasons. That may be more frustrating at times, but

it is certainly also more excitatory and fertile for the development of our societies.

Equipped with this vision, we went to work about three years ago. Today, our groups has grown considerably and we are supported by various partners which share our vision and our ambition to induce positive change in human interactions. Here, we would especially like to acknowledge the support of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German National Academic Foundation), the Stiftung wertevolle Zukunft (Foundation for a valuable future), and the Foundationtrust of the Deutsche Bank which make it possible that we continue to work in this field.

2. The RespectResearchGroup was awarded innovative project of the year 2007

We were chosen by the German government initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas” as an outstanding innovative project for the year 2007. Apparently they seem to have liked our multidisciplinary approach, the independence of our undertaking, and the perspective we take upon respect as a “social lubricant” which enables people to live together and which helps them to organize their social systems in a more natural and productive way.