In my keynote at the International Association for Citizenship, Social and Economics Education (IACSEE) Conference in July 2015, I will focus on participation and decision-making as key competences for democracy. I analyse with standardized videography how these both competences are realized in classroom interaction. Preliminary notes When we are talking about Civic Education or 'Politische Bildung' as we call it in German, I would like to give you a brief introduction in the official statements to Civic Education and the German school system. At the homepage of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, you will find under the header 'Society and the Constitution' the following statements on Civic Education: Civic education is an essential part of democracy. Since the Federal Republic of Germany was first founded, civic education has evolved into an independent task with two main objectives: to ensure that individuals have the knowledge and skills they need to form independent opinions and make informed decisions. to enable them to reflect on their own situation, recognize and meet their own responsibilities to society and play an active role in social and political processes. Civic education in Germany is non-partisan and neutral, but not impartial; it is grounded in the values and interpretation of democracy found in our Constitution, the Basic Law. Civic education should start precisely where social consensus in a democracy is threatened. (Bundesministerium des Inneren, 2016) So let me point out four basic assumptions: (1) Civic Education is stressed as essential for democracy. (2) Knowledge and skills are necessary, what leads us to the debate about competence. (3) The citizens are expected to make reflective decisions and to some effort play an active role. The focus is on communicative participation and civic engagement. (4) Civic Education should