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