Stein grew up in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and studied political science and history at Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg from 1989 to 1993. In 1986, Stein founded the Junge Freiheit as a reaction to the "dominance of the leftist '68 generation".
Stein's upbringing in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, his studies of political science and history at Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg from 1989 to 1993, and the founding of Junge Freiheit in 1986 are all related to his background and motivations.