Thomas Zimmer
Historian and Author /
Historiker und Autor
Exploring the past, present, and future of democracy and its discontents
Nachdenken über die Geschichte, Gegenwart und Zukunft der Demokratie und ihrer Gegner
About Thomas Zimmer
I am an independent historian and author living in Hamburg, Germany.
My work focuses on the past, present, and future of democracy and its discontents – in the United States and beyond. More specifically, I am interested in anti-democratic tendencies and impulses on the right as well as the relationship between mainstream conservatism and the far right.
Before moving to Hamburg with my wife and my two kids in the summer of 2025, I taught U.S. and international political history as a DAAD Professor at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Before joining Georgetown in January 2021, I was an Assistant Professor at Freiburg University in Germany.
Support my work
As an independent historian and author, I rely on the support of my readers.
My newsletter Democracy Americana forms the core of my work and my main source of income. As an independent publication solely funded by readers, Democracy Americana allows me to publish long-form essays reflecting on U.S. politics, society, and history every week.
If you become a paid subscriber – or: “member” – of Democracy Americana, you will gain access to special benefits – including many additional essays and the chance to download the audio versions of all my pieces in podcast form:
Democracy Americana
A newsletter on U.S. politics and history - and the ongoing struggle over how much democracy, and for whom, there should be in America.
Articles in newspapers, magazines, etc.
Media, Events, Interviews
Coming soon!
Get in touch!
You can contact me via email:
[email protected]
Find me on Social Media:
Bluesky - @thomaszimmer.bsky.social
Or send a message using the contact page here.
I am looking forward to hearing from you!