Bundesrepublik Deutschland
At times we forget what an amazing wonder the Bundesrepublik Deutschland was. At the end of the World War II, Germany was one of the sickest and cruelest human societies in history, ever. Not too many years later, it was one of the best and most successful societies ever. By the 1980s, living standards had […] The post Bundesrepublik Deutschland appeared first on Marginal REVOLUTION .
The Federal Republic of Germany (BRD) was once a remarkable nation, a stark contrast to its ignoble state at the end of World War II. Post-war, Germany became one of the worst societies in history, yet within mere decades, it transformed into one of the best and most successful societies ever. By the 1980s, the living standards had reached those of the United States, with public goods often surpassing them in provision. The country was fully democratic, pro-Western, and largely pro-American.
German rail system and postal service were among the best in the world. Intellectuals of repute included Hans Blumenberg, Habermas, Peter Weiss, Gadamer, Heidegger, and Schmitt among others. The visual arts scene was robust, with notable figures like Richter, Polke, Baselitz, Beuys, Penck, and Palermo, among others. The music scene boasted legends such as Stockhausen, Henze, Kraftwerk, Can, and Krautrock, later techno. The list of vocalists, instrumentalists, and conductors is extensive.
For opera lovers, few places could rival Germany. German fiction was equally rich, with authors like Böll, Patrick Süskind, Siegfried Lenz, Wolfgang Koeppen, Uwe Johnson (if counted), and Arno Schmidt. The country's food was quite impressive, especially in the southwest, with Michelin star restaurants scattered throughout. There were many well-functioning cities, known for some of the world's best transit systems. Nuclear power and a strong industrial base were also significant features.
West Berlin was an exciting city with an air of mystery, often compared to having no speed limit on the Autobahn. The country was also known for its beautiful women and reasonable attitudes towards sex. The sole downside, some might argue, was the lack of shopping on Sundays, workplace and shopping hours discrimination against women, excessive smoking, and an obsession with Waldsterben (the dying of the forests).
Can there be a comparison to this earlier era in post-unification Germany? It seems like so much has gone wrong, with numerous policy mistakes, leadership losses, and pessimism. The question arises: where did all the good performance go, and why did it depart? Could it be due to the absence of a communist enemy, the absorption of East Germany, or simply the accumulation of distance from pre-WWII German creativity?
The wonder of the BRD seemed to have vanished, leaving behind a question that echoes through time: Where did all the good performance go?
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