Die letzte Gedanken

         Based on the articles that I’ve seen and posted, I’ve seen that the Germanic world is made up of industrious nations. Germany and Switzerland especially are two of the great economic powerhouses in Europe. This is not purely a product of government policy, but also a direct result of an involved citizenry. Much of what I’ve personally read reports on populist movements actively affecting change in their own nations. It is important to those in the Germanic nations to achieve self-sustainability and autonomy, whilst maintaining a strong role in European Union (EU). I’ve learned much about Germanic nations as they are in modern times, which turned out to be valuable knowledge; when I wrote my first blog I realized how completely ignorant I was of Germany with the exception of historical trivia and stereotypes.

            Americans have only recently taken a greater interest in the workings of their nation. This can be seen in the ‘Occupy’ movement as well as the ‘Tea Party’ movement. I think that many Americans would like to see a more self-reliant America; self-reliance is one of the cardinal American virtues. However, the U.S.A. and its citizens are too often over-zealous in their international pursuits, and unwilling to sit on the sidelines. This constant global meddling that has become a patented U.S. trademark has proved impossible to reconcile with domestic pursuits, as obligations over-seas complicate American politics and compromise American autonomy. The German people seem more willing to focus on domestic growth and avoiding international involvement when possible. This has not proved an easy goal during the financial crisis when Germany especially, as the nation with the strongest economy in the EU, has been put upon heavily by its neighbors. The role of benefactor to the EU is not a role most Germans want to play, greater evincing their desire for internal strength.

            The culture of the individual Germanic countries, while certainly tied by the strong bonds of language and other traditions, appear to have their unique flares. The Swiss are a very industrious and autonomous people much like the Germans. The Germans, however, are ever-growing in industrial and economic might. The Swiss seem more concerned with maintaining current standards than constantly striving for newer and better things as the Germans have done. Luxembourg is a small principality and seems interested mostly in self-governance, though it is seen as a neutral ground for much of the EU. I haven’t seen much of anything on Austria’s industry or government.

            On a different note, Austria has a very unique tradition of coffee brewing not found anywhere else in the world. There is some very interesting history here going back to the sixteenth century and the opening of some of the world’s first coffee shops. That was one of the things I learned that I personally found more interesting in the course of blogging.

            Overall I would say that I’ve benefited a great deal from this. I think it’s easy to pigeonhole most any nation based on what you’ve learned in classes or from superficial media forums. Taking a closer look at the goings on in those nations offers a much broader perspective and has the power to educate people on the happening in this very large and complicated world. I think Americans especially could benefit from this kind of thing, since our media tends to be so inwardly focused much of the time.

Luxembourgeoisie

The eurozone has no shortage of political and economic institutions. Benelux, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Union (EU) are just a few of the numerous organizations that are constantly tripping over one another. The Euro Group is yet another of these. An institution comprising many of the eurozone’s financial ministers, the Euro Group has been headed by Luxembourg Prime Minister and former financial minister Jean-Claude Juncker since 2005. Juncker recently announced that he would be retiring the post in June, citing time constraints as the cause of his decision.  

            The Euro Group is an ill-defined organization; it doesn’t even have an official name. Nor did it have any real legal basis until 2009, though it held its first (un?)official meeting in 1998. The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, which institutionalized the organization and the Presidential head thereof, was brought about by the eurozone crisis of 2008. The crisis, acting as a catalyst, has forced a heavier amount of responsibility on the Euro Group.

            This added responsibility has apparently proved too great a burden to Luxembourg PM Juncker, who upon announcing his resignation said, “I hardly manage to do my duties in Luxembourg and at the same time tense work in the Euro Group.” This is not necessarily a unique position in Europe where heads of state are commonly involved in trans-European organizations designed to ease the strain of cohabitation. Luxembourg in particular is home to many branches of the EU and is often host to the Euro Group itself, so it stands to reason that a former Luxembourgish financial minister would be President elect of the group. Luxembourg is also an auspicious economic ‘David’ (as opposed to Goliath / to coin a phrase) boasting the highest GDP per capita in the world, and it now appears that they will be getting there Prime Minister back.

            While the Euro Group and other groups based out of Luxembourg may have impressive credentials, it remains a matter of controversy to Europeans as to who exactly should be ‘in charge’ of the euro. Some say that heads of state should take on the responsibility, while still others promote the ECB as the only financial institution credible enough to take on the job. Whatever the outcome, it is increasingly vital that the Europeans find a forum with which to lock their economies in step with their common currency.

            Now, imagine for a moment that every state in the USA was an independent sovereign power. A case for just this scenario was, in fact, made during the nation’s inception. Each state its own country with its own language or dialect locked into constant political battle with its forty-seven continental neighbors. This small hypothetical can be easily equated with the inner workings of the EU. The heterogeneous culture and unified statehood of America is perhaps its greatest blessing. Were it gone it could easily be replaced by feuding over cultural discrepancy, economic policy, and just plain old grudges… Oh right, I guess it’s like that anyway.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=137233

Coffee and Cigarettes

          Culture has and will always evolve organically. The values and pastimes of a people are always subject to change as they are handed from one generation to the next. Today one such metamorphosis is taking place in the city of Vienna. Due to public safety concerns over the accessibility of city businesses and footpaths, traditional Viennese sidewalk cafes are being threatened by government lawmakers. On the surface this relatively mundane legal maneuver could be dismissed as putting cafes in a position of minor discomfort, yet upon closer inspection the underlying significance of the proposal comes into focus.

            Austria could be called the coffee capital of the world. The nation boasts responsibility for the invention of filtered coffee. One of the first coffee houses ever to open was established in Vienna c. 1685. Since then coffee houses have been an integral part of the Viennese cultural landscape. These were and still are simply places to pass the time reading the news, socializing, ordering unique Austrian coffee drinks. It was in the 1950’s with the increased popularity of television that their patronage began to wane. More recently chain espresso bars like Starbucks have also drawn customers away. Tradition and tourism are two of the only things lending the coffee house culture its present vitality.

Lawmakers might further curtail the traditional appeal of privately owned cafes out of concern for public safety. Summer in Vienna is the time of year when sidewalk cafes come out of hibernation. It is a well loved aspect of Viennese life for natives and tourists alike. They are admittedly impractical, however, as they cause urban congestion and obstruct access to participating businesses. Consequently, government ordinance may well have these perennial verandas of Vienna altogether uprooted. Furthermore, this issue ties not only to local culture but to local economics as well. Sidewalk cafes are a huge source of business for the city, and it is feared that the proposed legislation would alienate customers, particularly smokers.

Following a 2009 smoking ban in Austria, smokers have had fewer and fewer places to engage in their favorite vice. Sidewalk cafes are among the last havens for smokers seeking a venue for public consumption of tobacco. Concern for the smoking public may seem odd to an American reader, yet the context is quite different for Austrians. Austria is the world coffee capital as well as a world smoking capital. Appropriate, considering the close bond that coffee and cigarettes share. A smoking census taken earlier this decade put them at number one with smokers making up 36 percent per capita, more than twice as many as America’s 17.5 percent.

Another odd facet of this proposal is the government’s apparent willingness to deal a blow to a cultural institution, especially in Europe where traditional mores tend to be held in high esteem. American culture is embodied by corporate chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s to the point of borderline cultural imperialism as they spread to other nations. American values and pastimes are corporate owned; easily established yet difficult to regulate, dilute, or replace.


http://www.austriantimes.at/news/Panorama/2012-02-17/39585/Vienna_sidewalk_cafes_under_threat

Carnies

Karneval is a hanger-on pagan tradition. Much like Christmas and Easter, Karneval is a remnant of Pagan tradition annexed by the Christian church in an effort to appease its followers. The tradition itself involves a sort of ‘medicinal’ revelry for the people before a period of fast and self-denial. It seems similar to the Mardis Gras in New Orleans, and shares the same roots. This is actually very common with most fasting traditions worldwide.

It’s surprising that the northern Germans mostly ignore Karneval due to the religious divisions in Germany, the north being historically Lutheran. As a nation Germany is secular and this division displays the strength of historical and cultural ties. Germans are famous for the Oktoberfest celebrations, while Karneval receives much less attention in America. It does, however, seem to hold with the general perception of German festiveness. The parades and the German people merrymaking in the streets are familiar images, though traditional Lederhosen appear to be painfully absent for the most part. Many of the floats displayed images of American politics; perhaps the new floats will display imagery of the 2012 presidential campaigns. It would not be surprising to see Nicolas Sarkozy, Greek or Italian politicians in effigy either; considering the present economic woes in Europe.

http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/karneval.htm

Images:

http://mygermantravels.com/2011/02/german-carnival-%E2%80%93-the-foolish-season/

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/20044159

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/KE8wqcY26zW/Carnival+Of+Cultures

Swiss Franc Account

Historically the Swiss have achieved stability in realms both political and economic. This is largely due to their position of neutrality and their fixture as a safe haven for international wealth. However, in this time of economic crisis it is precisely that reputation that is putting strain on Swiss businesses. With the already high value of the Swiss franc continuing its upward swing, Swiss manufacturers have found it difficult to conduct business in foreign markets for some time. Recently concerns have grown regarding an increased foreign presence threatening domestic markets. Though businesses and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are implementing measures aimed at increasing efficiency and lowering costs, thousands of Swiss jobs remain on the chopping block.

Since the beginning of the global financial crisis the Swiss franc has received a great deal of attention. In accordance with their policy of neutrality, Switzerland has abstained from membership in the European Union and the Euro Zone. Therefore, when the value of the Euro began its downward spiral the Swiss franc remained remarkably strong. In fact one could say that it was strong to a fault. Investors the world over rushed to obtain the security provided by Swiss francs causing a massive deflation of the currency. As a result the price of Swiss exports skyrocketed, discouraging foreign nations to import goods manufactured in Switzerland. Conversely, nations importing goods to Switzerland have found themselves able to turn an easy profit when receiving payment in Swiss francs. These profits facilitate lowering prices in Switzerland at the consumer level, drawing Swiss consumers away from goods manufactured at home.

This has proved distressing to Swiss firms finding themselves unable to compete effectively in international and domestic markets. As an estimated thirty-six percent of Swiss firms move 'into the red', solutions are being sought by corporations as well as the SNB,  equivalent of the American 'Fed'. Firms are clamoring for tax breaks and decreased regulation, hoping that lessening government presence would allow them greater freedom in conducting trade and increasing efficiency. The common goal on both sides is to preserve as many Swiss jobs as possible, jobs threatened with future layoffs as outsourcing becomes increasingly necessary to businesses struggling  to keep their heads above water.

The strong Swiss currency reinforces their reputation as shrewd financiers, fitting harmoniously with the common worldview of the Swiss. Valuing their self-sufficiency, the strong franc is a traditional source of pride for the Swiss. Ironically, too strong a currency can prove a curse rather than a boon. In this exceptional case, the famous Swiss diligence appears to have backfired.

This may be particularly surprising to a country wherein the weakening value of the once-mighty dollar is prominently decried. Despite this, America has benefited from the weakened dollar on many fronts. It has made the U.S. more competitive in international trade by lowering the price of our exports. This is well illustrated by the recent free trade agreements made with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama. It has also made manufacturing within the country financially feasible for American businesses, keeping more jobs at home.

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/specials/swiss_franc/Swiss_firms_also_face_price_pressures_at_home_.html?cid=31571088 

America Needs Climate Change... Socio-Economic Climate Change

The possibilities behind proliferating renewable energies have been realized by German environmentalists. Distancing themselves from nuclear energy, they have had unparalleled success with green technologies. Though loosened restrictions encourage ventures, another major contributor is the German citizenry. The people and industry of Germany are coming together on a grassroots level to establish a cooperatively funded green infrastructure. This article sheds light on a German movement taking place in the form of cooperatives; German citizens that have come to replace anonymous investors and foreign special interests. This shows German environmentalists to be as economically self-sustaining as the technology they produce.

            The ground is fertile for green innovation. Recent natural disasters attributed to climate change, surfacing fears regarding the safety of nuclear power, the precariousness of fossil fuels and the world economy have proven a potent fertilizer. From this newly fertile ground has sprung the revival of the cooperative in Germany. In the mid 19^th century German cooperatives first sprang to prominence. They functioned to aid small individual traders through unification and elimination of traditional corporate controls. Today cooperatives provide solidarity among entire communities who seek autonomy from global financial institutions. By shunning foreign investors and receiving funding from German cooperative banks, the cooperative community has discovered a way to grow the German economy almost entirely from within; especially valuable in a time of European financial crisis.

Simultaneously, many cooperatives have gained independence from nationwide energy infrastructure by producing self-contained renewable energy sources. The dedicated involvement of the citizenry, especially in southern Germany where one poll states that one in three citizens are involved with cooperatives, reveals a dramatic schism with the American worldview. The Rasmusssen Energy Update shows a majority of 58% of the American public considers climate change a serious problem. Yet whatever their amount of concern, it's indisputable that most Americans aren’t actively involved with this issue. Green industry shows slow growth in the U.S., and subsists mainly on life support from government subsidy. Environmental issues remain divisive in America, more political than environmental. The political nature of the discussion has had a polarizing effect on the people of America, in which a large segment of the population remains unconvinced of the existence of climate change. However, the German cooperative movement has shown that the pursuit of green technology can have economic as well as environmental benefits. To gain the same financial autonomy as the German cooperatives, dependence on foreign fossil fuels in the U.S.A. must be eliminated. Furthermore, as world fuel resources are zero-sum and move closer to depletion daily, the advent of renewable energy is inevitable. Until the American constituency faces facts and takes an active role in forming energy policy , it can never truly gain the independence that all Americans cherish.


Main Source:
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15655243,00.html

Germany and America in Contrast

        The German people seem to be viewed through a two dimensional prism in our country. The focus of the media on Germany tends mainly toward World War II documentaries and Hollywood films full of generalizations. Yet while most Americans would identify Germany with war and giant pretzels, the culture apparent in everyday life is too often lost in the shuffle. Having never traveled there my personal knowledge of Germany is limited to what little information I have gleaned from preconceptions and different forms of media. This includes everything from historical knowledge to very blatant stereotypes. Ignorance shrouds my view of the matter. However the homogeneous cultural background that exists in Germany is in stark contrast with the famously 'non-existent' or perhaps just heavily diluted American culture.

       The fact that the Germans are a people and nation unified by clear cultural ties is highly important to this topic of contrasts. While I cannot claim to know the historical backgrounds behind most German cultural traditions, it is their very presence that is vital. The celebration of Oktoberfest, the rich tradition of beer brewing, the wines of the Rheinland, the ceremonial wearing of Lederhosen; all are easily identifiable as purely German traditions. All symbolize a heritage that unites a country with a national identity. 

       The cultural identity of America, on the other hand, is unclear even for many Americans. This is due to the extremely heterogeneous mixture of peoples within our borders. An outsider might label us as an arrogant and greedy nation. On an individual level, however, the average American family has had all ties of ancestry stripped from them once they've reached the second or third generations. While certain nationalistic traditions endure, secular holidays in this country have become little more than an excuse to drink beer (one passion that we share with the German people). I cannot come close to articulating exactly what it is to be German, yet strangely my ideas on being American are almost as convoluted. My lack of clarity on German culture stems from ignorance, while the confusing ambiguity inherent in our national lifestyle obscures the true nature of culture in America.