The German social market economy (soziale Marktwirtschaft) helped bring about the "economic miracle" that rebuilt Germany from ashes after World War II to one of the most impressive economies in Europe. Still Germany continues to struggle with a number of social issues. [1]
Reunification
Issues created by the German Reunification of 1990 have begun to narrow. While the standard of living is still higher in the western half of the country, easterners now share a reasonably high standard of living. [2]. While the economic issues are abating (even though the unemployment rate still is considerably higher in the East), a division in society and culture continues. Stereotypes and labels such as "Jammerossi" (whining easterner), "Besserwessi" (arrogant westerner who always thinks he's right) and western resentment towards the costs of unification point to continued prejudices. [3]
Unemployment
Germans continue to be concerned about a relatively high level of unemployment [4].
Neo-Nazi / far-right related violence
Germany has continued to struggle with "far-right violence" or "neo-nazis" which are presently on the rise. There is some debate as to whether "hate crime" is presently on the rise or more arrests have been made due to increased law-enforcement efforts. The number of officially recognized violent hate crimes have risen from 759 (2003) to 776 (2005). Some have suggested that the increase in "hate crime" is related to the successes of the "right-wing" parties such as the NPD (National Democratic Party) in local elections. [5]
A low birth rate and an aging population
Germany has one of the lowest birthrates in Europe and it is in continued decline. In 1990 the birthrate was 1.41, but it has dropped to 1.31 (2002). By comparison the United States has a birthrate of 2.02. At the same time, Germans are living longer with a life expectancy of 75.6 for men and 81.3 for women [6]. This shift in demographic is already straining the country's social welfare structures and will produce further economic and social problems in the future. [7]
Immigration
Immigration continues to be a concern of both economic and social importance. Germany has always been and still is a society with a considerable rate of immigration. Together with the enactment of an new set of immigration laws, integration of migrants has become a main focus of official federal policy. By virtue of language courses and courses on culture, politics, and society, which are largely state-financed, integration of new migrants is regulated country-wide; in some specified cases, participation in such courses in compulsory. Furthermore, the new law provides for less formalities and more options for highly skilled third-country nationals to enter the country for working there; citizens of European Union member states generally enjoy the right to abode and work in Germany, thus, their stay is not regulated. At the same time, with a view to security threats by international terrorism, expulsion of foreign hate-mongers and suspective terrorists in Germany has been made easier. As a result of enhanced security measures, immigrants (especially those from Muslim and African countries) may face police inquiries (such as requests for identification), which some voices regard as undue. New immigrants face prejudices and problems integrating with the native population and often segment into separate communities.[8]. Higher rates of delinquency and more general integration problems persist amongst some migrant groups. Notwithstanding police operations focusing on this matter, migrants may still be subject to racist assaults mainly in rural areas or small towns in former East Germany. This being said, such problems are not unique to Germany and the incidence of the more severe of these problems are relatively rare in perspective. Some German states (which are responsible for education affairs) have banned Muslim teachers from wearing headscarves in class, generally by prohibiting the use of all religious symbols by teachers; this issue is being intensively discussed in the general public. Unlike France, German states have not extended this ban to pupils. German political backlash due to integration with Europe is resulting in new laws seeking to equalize the pay of eastern European workers (such as those from Poland and the Czech Republic) in an effort to curb the advantages to their hire. Alleged and real competition of "cheap" labour force mainly from Eastern Europe is an issue which right and far-right political groups - in some areas with some success - try to use to promote nationalist approaches in immigration policy. However, during the last decades, no far-right movement has been able to gain enough support to win seats in federal elections or to play any important role in politics on the federal level.
Gay issues
Germany has some of the most liberal laws in Europe regulating the status of homosexuals, though less so than other countries such as Denmark [9]. "Gay partnerships" which are just short of marriage have been permitted since 2001 [10]. Homosexuals can legally adopt their partner's biological children (so called stepchild adoption). Legally partnered homosexuals are exempted from Germany's compulsory conscription (as are married heterosexuals). Legally partnered homosexuals are not required to testify against each other in court. That being said, gay couples do not enjoy the tax benefits that heterosexual couples do.[11] Politically, this has caused a "clash of cultures", with the states of Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia suing against the introduction of "life partnerships" in 2001. They argued the law was violating a clause of the Basic Law stating "marriage and family" were under the state's "special protection". In 2002, the Federal Court of Justice of Germany ruled that this protection did not mean the legislature could not grant other arrangements similar, or even the same, rights. Nevertheless, Bavaria has declared its intent to sue against the recently introduced stepchild adoption. [12] The Christian Social Union and Christian Democratic Union of Germany political parties have been actively working to restrict extensions in legal rights granted to homosexuals. At the same time the opposition leader of the Free Democratic Party , Guido Westerwelle, has called for an increase in rights (in particular economic rights) and has stated that the government has not gone far enough (in spite of having voted against the introduction of life partnerships in parliament in 2001).[13] In general, Germany is one of the more legally and socially tolerant countries towards homosexuals. Despite this general toleration, debate on the status of homosexuals continues.
References
See also
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