German Identity, Long Dormant, Reasserts Itself

[cowcommander]

Source: NY Times

Twenty years after reunification, Germany has come to terms with itself in a way that the postwar generation proclaimed would never be possible and Ms. Schlöndorff’s post-Berlin Wall generation finds completely natural.

German pride did not die after the country’s defeat in World War II. Instead, like Sleeping Beauty in the Brothers Grimm version of the folk tale, it only fell into a deep slumber. The country has now awakened, ready to celebrate its economic ingenuity, its cultural treasures and the unsullied stretches of its history.

In ways large and small Germany is flexing its muscles and reasserting a long-repressed national pride. Dozens of recent interviews across the country, with workers and businessmen, politicians and homemakers, artists and intellectuals, found a country more at ease with itself and its symbols, like its flag and its national anthem — a people still aware of their country’s history, but less willing to let it dictate their actions.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/world/europe/11germany.html?hp

[Loudmxr]

1. Nineteen years ago,as I walked under the Brandenburg Gate, I predicted this happening.

Where only a few years before, I could not walk there. Where I had stood on the other side of Checkpoint Charlie to see families and friends wave to each other. There was at last freedom. There was also economic challenges to be faced.

Germany had just reunified and was in a mess. The East was still in shambles from WWII in places. Which was kinda cool. Years before you could still breathe the air of Nazi occupation in the East German all present police. But now the daunting task of picking up a crippled brother and moving on as an entire nation lay ahead.

After observing how the West Germans work I thought it would take twenty years for a new Germany to emerge. It would be strong and economically dominate Europe. It's because they work hard and love to make and follow rules. When things don't work out they modify the rules and follow them.

Ich liebe Deutschland.

And....also.... CALIFORNIA UBER ALLES!!! (I just had to get that in)

[dotymed]

2. In America

when things don't work out, we blame someone and keep going in the direction of wealth for the few.

[bemildred]

3. Babble babble babble ... nt

[Itchinjim]

4. Uh oh.

[flamingdem]

16. Ich bin scared

Ich bin joking, relax Heinz!

[aikoaiko]

5. As someone who comes from a family who identifies itself as Prussians (1800 variety)

this is not surprising. I sometimes joke that it is the German nature to save the world through order and discipline.

[MilesColtrane]

6. In other news, Poland's getting nervous.

[blindpig]

7. Nationalism need be buried. n/t

[maryf]

8. all nationalism... +100 nt

[leftstreet]

9. +1

[treestar]

10. The US may need to get over itself

But Germany even more so.

Their "national pride" can take a flying leap. No country has done so much damage with that concept.

[dimbear]

12. Bingo. Germany is the natural economic leader of Europe, but

they have historically wasted and wasted and wasted on military adventures. Countries shouldn't make mistakes like that over and over. (listening, US of A?)

For instance, in WWI and WWII, Germany faced severe fuel shortages, and developed synthetic substitutes, but they weren't good enough.

Now, with technology advanced so much, maybe they can succeed. They would finally change the face of the world.

[Karenina]

13. America has yet to do

what Germany has done over decades. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS ACTIONS.

"No country has done so much damage with that concept."

Except maybe the good 'ol US of A. ;-)

[Hawkowl]

14. Uhh,. Pot meet Kettle

I would have to assert that the US is pretty close if not surpassed the damage done to the world. But you must include our wonderful US corporations, as well as our wonderful and innovative World Bank, IMF, and the WTO as well as our run amok CIA in the calculations.

[Brickbat]

11. The way Germany is weathering this global downturn is fascinating to me.

Especially since the Economist was peeing all over itself a couple years ago talking about how Germany's social net would wreck the nation. Huh.

[Hawkowl]

15. Me too!

I've read analysis that one of the main reasons Germany is doing so well is precisely because of its robust safety net. The theory goes that Germans are not afraid to spend money (consume) because they know if they get sick, or lose their jobs they won't go bankrupt. State sponsored health care and generous unemployment insurance reassure consumers and encourage small businesses to undertake business ventures.

I've also read that in contrast to France, German companies have a much more collaborative relationship with their labor unions. They are able to hammer out compromises that actually improve a companies performance while rewarding workers. A true win-win relationship, which is why you don't see labor demonstrations in the streets in Germany.

Fascinating indeed. I think the US will completely lose its economic, diplomatic, and technological leadership positions in 10 - 15 years if we can't solve our massive income distribution and corrupt/zombie bank problems very, very, soon.

[Hannah Bell]

17. Maybe that's why the right-wing's coming back to power. Or maybe the writer means "German identity"

= rightist.

The article smells like crap to me, though. Sounds like a puff piece. WTF is "German pride"?

[Iterate]

18. Utter nonsense

and carefully crafted nonsense at that. I would expect nothing less of the NY Times. Evidently the old meme of bad European socialists on the verge of collapse isn't working. Damn their success. "I pray God it not be true, but if it is, that no one should find out."

German pride...defeat...war...Grimm...folk...slumber...awakened. Got the fear yet? No? Germany...flexing muscles...pride...flag...anthem...dictate. Shit, now I'm even scared. And the anecdotal evidence? Footballers fly flags during matches. Really. The horror. Politicians quibble and are very busy. That's unthinkable, just ask the head of a "youth organization". They want to trade with China and South Korea. My god, it's the axis all over again.

And what austerity that will trigger the collapse into a new hell? Touchy bit that is, because we don't want to give austerity a bad name; still, we simply must use it, as it's necessary to our socialist collapse meme. Let's just describe it as cutting out waste and frivolous personal spending. That'll do. And add a quote from a grumpy Bavarian hausfrau. It's jealousy, that's what it is. Sweep in front of your own door.

So, how do you get such profound wisdom? I mean, isn't the claim you've discovered the truth of an entire nation's struggle with self-identity a rather grand one? "Dozens of recent interviews across the country" the authors say. Sounds impressive...but doesn't that mean they simply went on holiday?