Return of the German Volk

by Roger Cohen, NYT, SEPT. 29, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/opinion/german-election-afd.html?comments#permid=24251428

I find it very interesting that this right-ward shift is happening world-wide. Yes, the German swing to "Volk" and "völkisch" is especially worrisome, but it has startling similarities with Trump's "Make America Great Again" and the Brexit emphasis on "taking back control". The trends in Poland, Hungary and Turkey are much more overtly aimed at destroying democratic institutions, but with the same nationalist fervor.

This phenomenon will hopefully run its course without world-wide conflagration, but only if the societal and especially democratic institutions remain up to the task. In Germany this means in the short run forming a stable government which learns to deal "democratically" with the anti-democratic AfD. In the longer run the outcome will be determined by how well Germany deals with "integration", both the integration of the old East Germany (there are huge cultural and social differences, as demonstrated by the relative popularity of the AfD in East and West), and the integration of the new refugees, as well as the better integration of the previous waves of "guest workers".

In the US it will mean surviving the incompetence and idiocy of two of the three democratic pillars - the Presidency and Congress, both currently completely dysfunctional. The judicial system is the only one, which still seems to be partially functional. The current Constitution, with its artificial two-party system, where radical strains can co-opt an entire party, may not be up to the task.

Comment on "The Twilight of Angela Merkel" Roger Cohen NYT SEPT. 25, 2017

The Twilight of Angela Merkel

by Roger Cohen, NYT,  SEPT. 25, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/merkel-election-germany-populism.html?comments#permid=24210261

As someone born in Germany in the waning days of Hitler, and someone educated in Germany under the guiding principle that "this must never be allowed to happen again", then watching Germany from both the outside and inside slowly change from a pacifist, inner-focused country into one of the enduring champions of European unity, the rise of the AfD is truly a scary phenomenon. The fact that this is part of a world-wide rightward shift is no solace: Germany has a special responsibility to keep nationalist, racist tendencies at bay.

The main hope is that, just as Berixit will prove disastrous for the UK and Trumpism will be shown to be a disaster in the US, these nationalist, racist movements will discredit themselves worldwide, and the trend will be reversed.

However, there are important lessons to be learned by the "mainstream" political forces from this rightward shift. They, the mainstream parties, have been blind to the real problems experience by large minorities within their constituencies. They have been lazy (or fearful) to acknowledge, that there are massive shifts going on in how the world operates, and they have, by and large, acquiesced to letting "the markets" determine how to deal with these changes, resulting, at the national level in an ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots, while (interestingly) spreading "wealth" in the world as a whole more evenly (if you can call the fact that few people are starving as "wealth").

Comment on “Merkelism vs. Trumpism” by Jochen Bittner, NYT, SEPT. 22, 2017

Comment on “Merkelism vs. Trumpism” by Jochen Bittner SEPT. 22, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/opinion/merkel-trump-free-world.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fopinion&action=click&contentCollection=opinion&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront

I read Mr. Bittner’s columns both in the NYT and in Die Zeit. Although I find his opinions at time a bit hysterical, he certainly has a good grasp of modern German politics.

Where I agree with Mr Bittner in this column is that Trumpism has not only embarrassed the US in the eyes of most of the “Western World”, and had signaled that the US has given up its leadership role, certainly diplomatically and morally, of the liberal democratic world order in favor of nationalism and protectionism. Where I disagree with Mr. Bittner is in his assessment, that Angela Merkel is actively seeking to replace Trump as leader of the “western world order”, for the purpose of her “legacy”, this in all likelihood being her last term as German Chancellor.

My reading of Angela Merkel is that she is much too pragmatic and unassuming (which is different from unambitious, for certainly she is and has always been very ambitious) to seek that kind of high-profile international prominence. Add to that the still very prevalent pacifist and anti-world-leadership instincts in her (and my) post-war German generation (as well as her upbringing as the daughter of a Lutheran pastor), and the result you have is a German leader very reluctantly acknowledging the leadership responsibilities thrust upon her by Germany’s economic dominance in Europe and the world. Her very careful statement about Europe not being able to rely on the US for leadership after her disastrous initial meeting with Trump illustrates, I think, this reluctance in assuming a more prominent role.

If we are looking for a European leader much more eager to assume a leading role against the nationalist and isolationist policies of Trumpism, France’s Macron is, I think, willing and eager to assume that role. It fits perfectly with his grandiose entry into his role as French President, and his stated ambition to increase France’s role in world politics, which is of course in line with France’s vision of itself as “la Grande Nation”. This is not a criticism of France or Macron; it seems to me that Macron is seeking to enhance French pride primarily as a means to help him rouse France from its economic doldrums, and helping him push through the necessary internal reforms he sees ac vital.

By contrast, I believe, Angela Merkel sees her “legacy” primarily in ushering Germany through its very difficult task of dealing with the flood of refugees by successfully integrating them into German society, and thus demonstrating, that she did not act irresponsibly when she opened Germanys borders to them.

Comment on: "Macron’s Art of the Deal", by Roger Cohen, NYT Sept. 21, 2017

Macron’s Art of the Deal

by Roger Cohen, Sept. 21, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/21/opinion/columnists/macron-trump-paris-climate-iran.html?comments#permid=24154176

As usual, a very good piece by Mr. Cohen.

Just two brief points.

Embarrassingly, in describing Macron's efforts to try and modify the idiocy of Thump's nationalist/isolationist pronouncements (Climate Accord, and Iran deal), he sounds like a teacher in a special-ed class (Macron) trying to modify the irrational behavior of s slightly retarded young student without, in deference to the parents (the US population) being too direct or insulting. 

As a related side note, when Cable TV describes the exchanges between Kim Yong Il and Trump, one never quite knows who is being quoted - they both sound identical in their 8th grader rantings.

On Macron's domestic priority of reforming labor laws and regulations, I am hoping he can do that without breaking the labor unions, because, although currently they are part, if not the primary reason for past failures, in the long run well functioning labor unions are vital to ensuring rising wages for employees.

Germany managed to reform its labor markets, but the labor unions still play a vital (and in most cases constructive) role in ensuring the rights and fair wages of workers - they are also at the forefront of confronting the misuses of "Leih-Arbeit" (contract workers), which was part of the German reforms.

The British, under Thatcher, had to emasculate the once overly powerful British unions, which got the British economy going but hurt workers in the long run. Hopefully Macron learns from these historical precedents.

Comment on "Greek Tragedy, Act V" NYT, Sept. 19,2017

Greek Tragedy, Act V

by Roger Cohen, Sept. 19. 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/opinion/greece-crisis-euro-tsipras.html?comments#permid=24127016

I'm glad to see pundits acknowledge the role of the EU and NATO in helping to get Greece through the "Euro Crisis", and, yes, the Greeks deserve much credit for "keeping their cool" and not following the path of, for example, Venezuela, into complete chaos - their democratic institutions held, bravo.

However, I still see even in Mr. Cohen's column, the only slightly disguised "blaming" of Germany, being the economic leader of the EU, for its "humiliating tutelage" of Greece, while at the same time himself listing all the still remaining inadequacies in Greek political culture to successfully deal with the problems of a modern world - bloated, unaccountable public services, bribery, inability to implement a modern taxation system, etc. etc.

What most pundits still don't recognize, is that the Euro was a political tool to move forward with a tighter European Union, much more than it was a economic tool. This is evidenced again by both Mr. Macron's and Mr. Junker's urging for more countries to join the EURO zone, because it is only through these kinds of institutional unifiers that other levels of cooperation and unity can progress.

Comment on: "The Democratic Party needs to become a workers’ party"

The Democratic Party needs to become a workers’ party

by Scott Courtney, WP, Sept 4, 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/09/04/the-democratic-party-needs-to-become-a-workers-party/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.b9f78f7669ab#comments

As someone who became politically conscious in Germany of the 50's and 60's, with "Social Democracy" gaining in relevance in Europe at the time, I agree that a re-vitalization of Unions is vital as a counterweight to the economic and political power of the 0.1%. However, the American model of Labor Unions is completely outdated and ineffectual. 

Labor Unions in Germany have a much more effective, successful structure, being organized around a sector-wide model with much more power in setting wages and work-standards sector wide, rather than just employer-by-employer.  

But most importantly, employees/labor in Germany have a guaranteed right to participate in corporate decision-making by virtue of their membership in Corporate Boards. This implements the, for Europeans, self-evident truth, that Corporations have responsibilities NOT ONLY to their share-holders, but also to their employees and to society in general. Thus, for example, corporation have an obligation to directly participate in the training and re-training of the workforce they need to stay competitive, rather then just lay them off and then expect, miraculously, to have the properly trained people available when they need them.

Comment on: "A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging" by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4, 2017

A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging

by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/09/04/a-2020-democratic-agenda-is-emerging/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-f%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.abfc7407ae03#comments

Ed Rogers typifies the mindless ignorance of today's conservatives, as in his core statement - "Economic polices will consist of government giveaways and anti-business crusades. Social causes will give no quarter to moderate positions, and LGBT special interests, labor unions, global warming fanatics and factions such as Black Lives Matter, along with other grievance industry groups, will face no moderating counterforce".  

What he lambasts as a "radical agenda" and "a dangerous lurch to the left" is what most other advanced civilized societies consider to be centrist policies such as "a single-payer health-care system, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition". 

Take single payer health care. EVERY other advanced society has adopted this model and as a result pays on average half as much as the US in per capita expenditures for healthcare, with hugely better outcomes in them of almost every indicator of societal well-being. 

Free university is another one of those issues, where the US conservatives cannot see beyond the tips of their own nose. A well educated populace is the main guarantor for economic progress - even conservatives mouth that self-evident truth - and also of a well functioning democracy. with $20,000 - $40,000 annual tuition, only a small segment, the 1%, can afford to send their children to university. For the rest it means either crippling debt for years to come, or relying on a worthless high school diploma.  

Finally, Mr. Rogers use of "antifa" as a Boogyman is typical of the current Trumpian effort to divert attention from the current fascist tendencies of Trump-followers.