From the Past to the Future: Why is Germany Doing So Well Today?
Many countries have struggled to survive the economic crisis in recent years, but Germany has fared far better than most. Based on world records of economic success since 1949, Germany is booming ahead. There are many reasons for this phenomenon including basic cultural and economic conditions in Germany’s long history since the Middle Ages. In fact, the past has helped to shape future developments, with one eye backwards, and the other eye turned forward. Learn how Germany’s past perspectives can help us understand modern conditions. Presented by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies.
Lecture will be on Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in the Kiva Room on the first floor of the UA Student Memorial Union, NE side of the building, 1303 E. University Blvd.
This lecture is cosponsored by the UA Alumni Association as part of the UA Homecoming Collegiate Showcase. For information about this year’s 100th year Homecoming festivities, see: http://humanities.arizona.edu/homecoming
Carolyn’s Note: yes, this is my husband of 30 years, a Native German from the area of Hessen in Germany, now a U.S. citizen. He proudly received the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Cross of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2004, and has served in the German Air Force. His webpage: http://aclassen.faculty.arizona.edu/
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Kiva room was filled today to listen to this Homecoming talk about the productivity and economy of Germany. My husband spoke of the medieval guilds of apprentices which is still very successful in Germany today, in which companies train & hire young people to work in their businesses as skilled workers in a # of fields. Germany’s unemployment is only 5% and they have no national debt. And students attend college for free. What a concept for America.
Hello,
Thank you very much for the interesting responses by both of you. Perhaps you might want to attend my lecture and then engage me in a debate about that issue since I am not referring to the composition of the German population. But, keep in mind, there are ca. 8 million Turks living in Germany, and at least 3-4 more million foreigners, and Germany is an increasingly multicultural society today. My main topic will be the history of Germany and its impact on the current situation.
I’m sure it will be an interesting lecture on a very interesting subject. I’m sorry I live too fare away to attend.
Among the biggest reasons why Germany has done so well is that Germany has a largely homogenous population. They share a common culture and language. It is much easier to build concensus when you share a culture.
One of the hardest things to do is to make a successful country out of multiple cultures. Wherever it has been tried, it has not been very successful. I see it all the time on this blog…you do your math based on percentages of hispanics, blacks and whites and try to determine what a winning coalition might be. Then you have to make certain it is translated to Spanish so the word gets out. Then you have to make certain it is culturally sensitive. All in all, not an easy process.
Did you watch. The World Cup, Germany, due to economic success,has people of many cultures. Of course there is also the Roman Republic and Empire which lasted a good 1000 years.