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ePaper created 2015-12-01, 11:33:23 | version 1.43.00
42 akzente 3/15 SPECIAL LOTS OF RESPECT, HIGH EXPECTATIONS New research shows how Germany is perceived around the world – and the areas where the rest of the world thinks Germany should be playing a greater part in future. M any people outside Germany now accept that it plays a leading role around the world – so say the find- ings of a new study, ‘Germany in the Eyes of the World’. In particular, the research shows that nobody questions Germany’s leading role within Europe – but that this entails not only expectations but also areas of criti- cism. GIZ first conducted a study of this kind three years ago, interviewing people around the world to discover how they saw Ger- many and the Germans. The key message to emerge then was that Germany needed to assume more international responsibility. One interviewee in the USA at the time put it this way: ‘Go ahead, try on the larger shoes – you’ll find they fit!’ The second study, which has just been published, dem- onstrates that Germany has indeed tried on larger shoes – but that it’s still not entirely comfortable walking in them. The example of Ukraine illustrates the point. Many people acknowledge and appre- ciate Germany’s role as an international in- termediary that makes adroit use of its ‘soft power’, thereby putting distance between its approach and that of other countries, such as the USA. Germany’s diplomacy in the search for peaceful solutions is something that observers around the world appreciate. Nevertheless, they think that Germany should do more to involve other nations as it forges ahead. The same applies to Germany’s role in the European economic and financial crisis. Interviewees believed that, on the basis of its clear economic dominance within Eu- rope, the country has also taken responsi- bility here and pointed the way out of the crisis with ‘discipline and a no-nonsense approach’. ‘Things aren’t going to happen in Europe unless Germany is involved,’ as one interviewee put it. These high levels of ap- preciation and respect, though, go hand in hand with criticism: interviewees felt that Germany was not yet making enough use of its ability to shape events and called for a greater vision for Europe that goes beyond economic issues. They also felt that Ger- many should communicate better what it does so that it can win over other countries to its policies. Some participants felt that Germany could be a role model on issues of migra- tion and integration. A substantial number of interviewees saw Germany as a liberal country of immigration with a pluralistic society and a substantial acceptance of diversity. On the other hand, they were crit- ical of some of the obstacles to integration, such as visa requirements and language skills, and called urgently on Germany to play its part in the European refugee ques- tion. As a central player within Europe, the interviewees said, Germany should formu- late convincing concepts for action and be more decisive. The study also captures views on many other issues, providing valuable indicators for political debate. Interviewees spoke of Germany’s energy transition, its ability to innovate, the role of women in Germany, and how the country presents itself to the rest of the world. Here, too, it is clear that countries far and wide have particularly high expectations of Germany – but also particularly high levels of respect. ‘Get used to the idea of failure, because it is a precondition for innovation. Innovation is something you can learn – just like you learn to play the piano.’ USA ‘Germans are not very spontaneous. If you want to try out a new move in your dance class, the Germans will always complain, “But we haven’t learned that yet!”’ COLOMBIA