German vs. American Social Progress

How involved should the government be in our lives? The answer depends on who you ask. One thing is certain, however, and that is America needs to realize the importance of reform. The reform that will radically change our government, its social policies and consequently help the citizens of the United States. There is a stigma in this country that socialism is something to fear, when in reality it is an important tool that when combined with democracy, has the ability to create a society that is both free and cared for. Germany has embraced this view of government since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the re-unification of the country the following year. It is a progressive country, and in stark contrast with the United States, German politics and reform have led to a state of energy and societal consciousness, the growth of social programs, and the expansion of guaranteed healthcare and education.

What powers a nation (in terms of technology) is a reflection of the people who live within its borders. Clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly. In Saxony, an eastern German state, nearly 40% of the electricity produced is generated through wind, geothermal and hydro-electric power technologies. According to the 2007 Global Wind Report, published by the Global Wind Energy Council in May of 2008, Germany has 19,460 wind turbines. These massive structures produce 36% more electricity than the second place country in terms of total output. The United States would be the second country on the list, but wind power accounts for just 1% of our total energy use. Whereas the expansive use of clean energy, extensive state-run recycling programs and the desire to help others through government projects (70,000 people are employed in the wind energy business) are helping Germany to become independent of oil, the opposite is occurring in the United States. Communities here are banning wind-farms because they are “ugly” and ruin the landscape, yet these people complain about high energy and gas prices. Although there was some opposition at first within Germany, the general public agreed that the future starts today, and that with renewable energy one can have peace of mind, less unemployment, and inexpensive energy bills. Unfortunately this concept somehow became lost in translation, and the renewable energy sources we use today in the United States are largely experimental and limited.

The term “limited” is a common theme in America’s government. Many individuals in this country believe that a limited government, one that stays out of he lives of we the people, is the future of this great nation. This reduction of social welfare spending and emphasis on individualism comes at a time of distinct growth within the social programs of Germany. In 2002, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development posted through their Social Policy Division an overview of the German system of social affairs. Simple entitled “Germany,” this document shows the vast amount of ways the government benefits their citizens in the form of government funded social programs. From rent and housing allowances to government mandated free child care, the report gives insight into how far-reaching the programs in Germany really are. Extensive medical and insurance coverage, as well as free or inexpensive universities, help to provide the basic rights of healthcare and education. Germany is a country of very little poor and very little rich individuals. Nearly all families fall into the middle class, meaning the abundant government programs affect everyone, and justify the social state that governs the country. If America wishes to fix its current welfare state and begin to provide real support for middle and lower income families, I ask that it models its programs after those in Germany, as they are both progressive and fully-encompassing.

In order to follow this lead we must move away from the dangerous abuse of our social welfare system. The lack of funding and mismanagement are only two underlying issues that plague our government funded programs. What really is at play here is the fact that some Americans are simply lazy individuals. Individuals misuse and lie about disability benefits, urban housing, tax benefits and above all unemployment compensation. In Germany, you will be hard pressed to find a “lazy” worker or someone who has been on unemployment for a long amount of time. Although the country has a somewhat high unemployment rate when compared to the United States, individuals use their time away from the job to give back to the community through volunteer work and civic projects. In America, there is an acceptance of mediocrity and a lack of self-worth that promotes the perpetual cycle of unemployment and welfare benefits. This mediocrity carries on into our employed workforce as well, and can even be seen in our education and healthcare systems. In contrast to our welfare system, however, education and healthcare have been taken away from the hands government, and it is about time that these faltering industries be brought back.

The guaranteed right of education and healthcare in Germany, compares to the privilege that they are for citizens in the United States. Higher taxes allow free or extremely inexpensive higher education in Germany, and interest free loans are guaranteed for all students to pay for living expenses. Rent and food are subsidized to ease the burden on students and families, and nearly all students do not work, because they are being taken care of financially by their parents and government together. In addition, healthcare coverage is wide-reaching and mostly at no out-of-pocket cost for citizens, with an excellent care structure. Try explaining that concept to Americans without health insurance.

All is not perfect with Germany, however, and there are side-effects to its emphasis on socialism and equality. In an edition from the 1997 edition of German Life, the article “Poverty in Germany” explores the increase in joblessness and the social stigma associated with being poor or unemployed. Although the “poor” or individuals living under the poverty line is very small, many people never even think about collecting unemployment compensation. German people are “too proud” according to John Dornberg, the author. In addition, children and juveniles are being affected due to the social inequality, through illnesses both mental and physical. This particular article was published more than a decade ago, but some similarities remain, although unemployment in the country has fallen dramatically. It now rests at 9%, one of the lowest figures in Western Europe.

The reason for this decrease is due to the increase in industry and clean energy technologies being developed. The amount of pollution and energy needed to make these massive strides in efficiency is something that must be explored as well. If the same was to happen in the United States, the loss of jobs in heavy industry would be substantial. Outsourcing due to pollution taxes and the lack of funds for companies to build all new, environmentally-friendly companies could be crippling. Along those lines, many of the social programs available in Germany would be unable to be effectively brought to America without substantial changes. Germany is a much smaller country than the United States, with 82 million citizens. It is roughly the size of Pennsylvania, yet the population spread and demographics make it difficult to compare. Finally, many more students go to university in the United States and our larger healthcare system would make it difficult to find a universal system that would be effective. All of these differences must be take into consideration if America wants to learn and borrow from Germany’s experiences.

In the end, Germany remains a progressive and liberal country, far outshining the United States of America in energy conservation, efficiency, social programs and reform. It is disturbing to think that many Western European countries have transformed their industries and politics to meet an adapting world, while the United States stays stagnant in its Darwinistic thinking. After all, only the strongest and the wealthiest survive in America....but what happens when that wealth and subsequent strength disappears? Our government should be able to provide for our country. Naturally there are consequences, both good and bad, but socialism and its ideals are nothing to be feared. In an era of economic and societal uncertainty, it is time to look at other countries paths, in order to save ours. Let us begin with Germany.