Germany, otherwise known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a federal parliamentary republic. This system is based on a representative democracy, much like ours in the United States, with powers divided between both the federal and state levels, and between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Chancellor is the head of the government and the President of Germany is also known as the head of state. Germany’s government, also like ours, is based on a multi-party system. Since 1949, the German political scene has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Germany. Germany is divided into 16 states, each possessing its own constitution, legislature, and government.
The office of President is more of a ceremonial position in that it does not hold as much power or influence as the Chancellor does. Horst Kohler, the President from 2004 to 2010, did not like this power dynamic, calling for more influence and direct elections for this presidential position. He was reelected to a second term in May 2009 but his term was cut short when he resigned from his office only a year later. Stemming from controversy over statements regarding the German Bundeswehr in Afghanistan, he was forced to step down.
Controversy continued to ensue when the next president, Christian Wulff, resigned this February. Reacting to a scandal, which alleged that he received favors as an elected official before becoming president, he resigned, which proved to be detrimental to the Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two were both members of the Christian Democrat party, and it was Merkel’s choice to put Wulff as the head of state. The governor of the state of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer, will now step in as acting president until another successor is appointed. This country has clearly faced political upheaval in the past few years and the constant controversy and resignation of presidents does not bode well for this nation’s international standing in the political community.
Because the constitution of Germany promotes the protection of individual liberty, each citizen is guaranteed fundamental human rights and liberties. Thus, there is no lawful discrimination or unfair treatment of Africans in Germany. While it is evident that they do face racism in German society, it is crucial that they are awarded the same constitutional rights as every other citizen so they have a legal avenue to pursue if they face any discrimination.
When Africans started coming over to Germany, mostly to study in universities and schools, it increased their influence in this country. Thus, Germany created a foreign policy aimed at promoting economic cooperation, trade, and socialism throughout Africa. Moreover, Germany made efforts to train and educate Africans so they could experience social and economic advancement in Germany. While discrimination is prevalent in any country, it is crucial that Germany has made strides in trying to increase opportunities for Africans, while also promoting international cooperation with Africa itself.
One example of the effect of the African Diaspora on the German government is a man named Zeca Schall from Angola. He came to Germany in 1988 and gained citizenship in 2004. He is a German politician and after he decided to run in an election, posters were hung telling him to move home and calling him racial slurs. He got compensation and sent it back home to remove land mines in Angola. While Africans are making strides in gaining more influence in German politics and government, there still unfortunately appears to be discrimination in this country that makes it hard for progression and social mobility to occur.
Here are two links to articles discussing the resignation of the last two presidents of Germany:
http://www.the-leader.com/newsnow/x1793835883/President-of-Germany-resigns-amid-corruption-allegations
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,697785,00.html
Here are the websites that I got my information from:
http://www.aatg.org/files/ald/English-Texts-Diaspora.pdf
http://www.the-leader.com/newsnow/x1793835883/President-of-Germany-resigns-amid-corruption-allegations
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0858400.html
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,697785,00.html
I'm so glad to actually read a government blog about the opportunities that Africa is being offered and a partnership between the two. I'm unhappy about the discrimination but that can be stopped I believed in Germany if discrimination can be stopped somewhere(maybe Germany can be the first country to stop discrimination, just a idealist thought), it would be here. It's actually interesting to see how and why the presidents keep on changing and the problems within the government and I wonder how they are going to deal with this. I love how Germany is a partnership with Africa because it shows the investment they have with each other which is good reason due to their relationship in the past.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read about a government that is so similar to that of the United States but different in major ways. In a country filled with so much political unrest, I imagine it would be hard to enforce the constitution if in fact it was challenged. it is definitely reassuring to hear that Germany could serve as a safe haven for African Americans to go and study at universities and live lives protected by the constitution. The fact that racism and social prejudices do exist even in Germany, the fact that the government takes such a mature, firm stand against it must be reassuring. This deal that Germany is engaged in with Africa seems one promoting a brighter future, and I am interested to know more about the possible merging of these two cultures and traditions.
ReplyDeleteI was also intrigued by the parallels between our government and that in place in Germany. When looking deeper into the similarities these two countries have regarding their acceptance of Africans, I learned that many Africans sought a new life in Germany instead of the United States because they reported far less discrimination. Prior to World War II and the Nazi regime, black musicians and entertainers played a huge role in German society and culture. Civil rights activist, W.E.B. du Bois, and suffragist, Mary Church Terrell, chose to study at the university in Berlin because they experienced less discrimination in Germany than in the United States. I think that this is so interesting because since I had never really thought of European countries in relation to the Diaspora, I wrongly assumed that most people migrating from Africa would chose the US, a place promising freedom and economic mobility, to reside in and start a new life. However, often times Africans chose other countries over the US because racism was and still is so prevalent in our country. Thus, I agree with your comment about how it is great that Germany served as a safe haven for Africans. Not only did it serve that purpose, but it also fostered cultural acceptance of African ways of life and art. However, it still remains an unfortunate reality that Africans face discrimination and racist stereotypes no matter what country they are in, even in Germany.
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