Your Social, Economic, and Political opinion of Germany

[Demokratische Deutschland (Ancient)]

What is your Social, Economic, and Political opinion of post 1991 Germany?

How do you view its actions on ther international stage since re-unification. How do you feel it has handled being the largest economy in Europe?

Also what do you think of german: foods, music, sports teams, clothing etc. What do you admire about Germany if anthing? what do you frown upon about Germany if anything?

Optional: How do you feel about Germany in terms of its history (all of it, not just 1914-1945)

[Neuhausen]

I love Germany. Especially german work ethic and their engineering skills. German culture has had a huge influence on Estonian culture also.

What I haven't liked about germany since reunification is Schröder politics. Very pro-russian and pro-putin.

German sport is good. I watch bundesliga every weekend.

[Arglorand]

It's okay.

[Demokratische Deutschland (Ancient)]

I love Germany. Especially german work ethic and their engineering skills. German culture has had a huge influence on Estonian culture also.

What I haven't liked about germany since eunification is Schröder politics. Very pro-russian and pro-putin.

German sport is good. I watch bundesliga every weekend.

Agreed on Schröder politics. Estonia is an awsome culture too.

[Alvaria and Cagwenyn]

I would probably be considered a Germanophile. I love the german people and their culture. Merkel is the only conservative world leader I can at all stand because she is pragmatic and has common sense.

[Mike the Progressive]

Whatever opinion I have of Germany has been shaped by Springtime for Hitler.

[Thesan]

Let's see... germany... germany... germany... maybe you meant the Merkelreich?

... I should really avoid answering in these kind of forums... it increases only my stomach ulcer... stupid me...

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

I know too little about them nowadays.

Seems like one of those highly efficient, clean and educated central-western+northern European countries.

[Nevanmaa]

I really love Germany, and I have a special soft spot for the German Empire. I've been there quite a few times and I've always liked it.

What I dislike is that Germany lost a huge portion of its cultural heritage in WWII. Most large cities were reduced to rubble, with hundreds of years of history along them. This was followed by modernist and brutalist architects pretty much ripping out the souls of German cities in favor of postmodernist madness. Couple this with the indoctrination of socialist values in the East and cultural "liberation" in the West, and you've gotten a pussified version of once a great nation. Gone is the Prussian militarism and national pride.

Of course, things have gotten a lot better since 1990. Cities are being reconstructed with traditional architectural style, symbolizing rebirth of traditional German culture. Patriotism is becoming more and more accepted and it's more common to see German flags, the right-wing is quite strong thanks to Merkel and the CDU and so on.

Overall, Germany is a good nation. It had its heyday a hundred years ago, but it's still one of the best nations in Europe.

[Neu Leonstein]

Gone is the Prussian militarism and national pride.

And thank the gods for that too!

I think people ought to spend some time reading Heinrich Heine's 'Deutschland - Ein Wintermaerchen' or something similar. There actually were some people genuinely concerned with freedom and happiness in Germany under Prussian rule. And the Prussian state forced these people in exile, censored their literature and just generally acted like dicks. From the outside (or better still, in a video game), this idea of a militaristic, super efficient, powerful nation that takes on everyone in war, industry and so on sounds great. But it really sucks to have to be part of it:

Das ist nun ein Dutzend Jahre her,
da war er unser Sergeant.
Wir lernten bei ihm: “Präsentiert das Gewehr!”
Wenn einer umfiel, lachte er
und spuckte vor ihm in den Sand.

“Die Knie beugt!” war sein liebster Satz.
Den schrie er gleich zweihundert mal.
Da standen wir dann auf dem öden Platz
und beugten die Knie wie die Goliaths
und lernten den Haß pauschal.

Und wer schon auf allen Vieren kroch,
dem riß er die Jacke auf
und brüllte: “Du Luder, du frierst ja noch!”
Und weiter gings. Man machte noch
in Jugend Ausverkauf.

Er hat mich zum Spaß durch den Sand gehetzt
und hinterher lauernd gefragt:
“Wenn du nun meinen Revolver hätt’st -
brächst du mich um, gleich hier und gleich jetzt?”
Da hab’ ich ‘Ja’ gesagt!

Wer ihn gekannt hat, vergißt ihn nie.
Den legt man sich auf Eis!
Er war ein Tier. Und er spie und schrie.
Und Sergeant Waurich hieß das Vieh,
damit es jeder weiß.

Der Mann hat mir das Herz versaut.
Das wird ihm nie verziehn.
Es sticht und schmerzt und hämmert laut.
Und wenn mir nachts vor’m Schlafen graut,
dann denke ich an ihn.

Google Translate

[Arglorand]

Gone is the Prussian militarism and national pride.

And thank the gods for that too!

I think people ought to spend some time reading Heinrich Heine's 'Deutschland - Ein Wintermaerchen' or something similar. There actually were some people genuinely concerned with freedom and happiness in Germany under Prussian rule. And the Prussian state forced these people in exile, censored their literature and just generally acted like dicks. From the outside (or better still, in a video game), this idea of a militaristic, super efficient, powerful nation that takes on everyone in war, industry and so on sounds great. But it really sucks to have to be part of it:

Das ist nun ein Dutzend Jahre her,
da war er unser Sergeant.
Wir lernten bei ihm: “Präsentiert das Gewehr!”
Wenn einer umfiel, lachte er
und spuckte vor ihm in den Sand.

“Die Knie beugt!” war sein liebster Satz.
Den schrie er gleich zweihundert mal.
Da standen wir dann auf dem öden Platz
und beugten die Knie wie die Goliaths
und lernten den Haß pauschal.

Und wer schon auf allen Vieren kroch,
dem riß er die Jacke auf
und brüllte: “Du Luder, du frierst ja noch!”
Und weiter gings. Man machte noch
in Jugend Ausverkauf.

Er hat mich zum Spaß durch den Sand gehetzt
und hinterher lauernd gefragt:
“Wenn du nun meinen Revolver hätt’st -
brächst du mich um, gleich hier und gleich jetzt?”
Da hab’ ich ‘Ja’ gesagt!

Wer ihn gekannt hat, vergißt ihn nie.
Den legt man sich auf Eis!
Er war ein Tier. Und er spie und schrie.
Und Sergeant Waurich hieß das Vieh,
damit es jeder weiß.

Der Mann hat mir das Herz versaut.
Das wird ihm nie verziehn.
Es sticht und schmerzt und hämmert laut.
Und wenn mir nachts vor’m Schlafen graut,
dann denke ich an ihn.

Prussia was an okay place until 1270.

It quickly went to shit after that.

[Divair2]

I'm a pretty big fan of Germany. A very sensible, liberal nation with social democratic tendencies and a hard working attitude that can be seen in the economic progress it makes. Lovely climate and scenery. Friendly people. I've visited many, many times.

[European Socialist Republic]

Gone is the Prussian militarism

Oh how we miss the Prussian militarism! Seriously now, "pussified"? Weren't two World Wars enough for you?

[Nevanmaa]

There actually were some people genuinely concerned with freedom and happiness in Germany under Prussian rule. And the Prussian state forced these people in exile, censored their literature and just generally acted like dicks. From the outside (or better still, in a video game), this idea of a militaristic, super efficient, powerful nation that takes on everyone in war, industry and so on sounds great. But it really sucks to have to be part of it:

Prussia and the German Empire were not as bad as the modern revisionist historiography makes it out to be. There was a basic democratic system of government that restricted sudden change, there was a welfare system for the working class instituted by Bismarck to prevent radicalization, and I must mention that this system is the only welfare system I have ever supported, and generally the people lived well in a conservative, traditionalist atmosphere where morals and hard work were respected.

Oh how we miss the Prussian militarism! Seriously now, "pussified"? Weren't two World Wars enough for you?

I for one prefer Prussian militarism and conservatism to the current valueless, postmodernist decadence that the West is suffering from.

[Arumdaum]

I like Germany. I like the 1919-1920 German Revolution. I find the language pretty cool. It was really nice when I visited and I wouldn't mind living there in the future. East Germany is my favorite country in the former Eastern Bloc.

The thing I regret most from when I visited Germany was only eating currywurst.

However, I have a low opinion of those who obsess themselves with Germany.

Oh right, and Goodbye Lenin is one of the best movies ever. You should watch it. Nice soundtrack, nice plot, nice filming style, nice... everything! And it's depressing too which makes it even better.

[Arglorand]

East Germany is my favorite country in the former Eastern Bloc.

Why not someone with less Stasi?

[Thesan]

I'm a pretty big fan of Germany. A very sensible, liberal nation with social democratic tendencies and a hard working attitude that can be seen in the economic progress it makes. Lovely climate and scenery. Friendly people. I've visited many, many times.

sensible? social democratic? FRIENDLY?

...so only the douchebags come here... now I understand

[Arumdaum]

East Germany is my favorite country in the former Eastern Bloc.

Why not someone with less Stasi?

The opinion stems mostly from the pretty flag and anthem, as well as a nice tragicomedic film I watched

:<

[Arglorand]

Why not someone with less Stasi?

The opinion stems mostly from the pretty flag and anthem, as well as a nice tragicomedic film I watched

:<

I do love the anthem, I have to admit as much.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

I'm a pretty big fan of Germany. A very sensible, liberal nation with social democratic tendencies and a hard working attitude that can be seen in the economic progress it makes. Lovely climate and scenery. Friendly people. I've visited many, many times.

sensible? social democratic? FRIENDLY?

...so only the douchebags come here... now I understand

Where are you from?

The German tourists to Brazil are also lovely.

[Greater-London]

Good Beer. Good Sausages. Good Engines. Whats not to like?

If I had to live somewhere outside the Anglosphere I would pick Germany.

I like German culture and there attitude to life - it features a good work/play balance, something we forget in the UK.

Politically I find it incredibly dull. That's not a bad thing but its hard to get excited about Christian Democracy or Social Democrats and consensus building.

[Mike the Progressive]

sensible? social democratic? FRIENDLY?

...so only the douchebags come here... now I understand

Where are you from?

The German tourists to Brazil are also lovely.

And the ones to Florida are often pompous.

[Murkwood]

Social: The people are unfunny, but nice and organized.
Economic: I brought some Euros back from my trip there. So, yeah.
Political: Angela Merkel is hawt.

[Arglorand]

The people are unfunny

Well, at least they don't even pretend they're funny

(looking at you, Britain)

[Greater-London]

Well, at least they don't even pretend they're funny

(looking at you, Britain)

Britain is HILARIOUS

you cant be an imperial power in decline and not have a sense of humor.