National elections were held several weeks ago, and Angela Merkel is still the German Chancellor.
In a display of typical German-ness, the old guard is still in charge while the future government coalition, consisting of the CDU/CSU and the FDP parties, is trying to hammer out a deal for a common agenda. Merkel led negotiations for the CDU to present a team and some policy guidelines by the end of October. But until recently, the talks have produced little more than broad generalities and minor adjustments.
Many commentators fear that instead of grand ideas, big plans and overdue reforms, the next government will be just like the last one—a team of muddle-throughers lacking the will or political clout to turn the German tanker into a new direction. The Financial Times Deutschland wrote last week:
After 10 days of intensive coalition talks between the conservatives and the FDP, it looks as though the coalition agreement for Merkel's next government will be remarkably similar to her campaign: lots of talk, no commitment. It seems that Merkel's preferred modus operandi—that of extended consideration and the delaying of decisions until later—has been adopted by the coalition talks. It has become Project Haze.
Ordnung, Klarheit & System
So what is wrong with these Germans? They know they got work to do. Why don't they get a move on?
If you ask me, this isn't at all surprising. It's just part of the German mentality. We love to have Ordnung, System and Klarheit in our lives. Ordnung (order) demands that processes—like the one of finding common ground to rule the country for the next four years—are to be respected. Everything follows protocol. All issues are analyzed in order to create a mutual level of Klarheit (clarity) for everyone involved.
Most Germans believe there is an inherent order and system in everything.
Über-generalizing. One of the objects in life for Germans is to analyze everything to find order and systems, and apply them in daily routines. Order gives Germans a secure basis for life. Disorder, however, is deeply unsettling. Sure, we all love order. What's so German about it? Answer: The fact that it is a national, internal principle.
Reaching that level of Klarheit and a working compromise requires lots of analysis. And with Germans, this process can be lengthy. Once a system is agreed on, it acquires 'pillar of order' status and isn't easily changed. This is why some Germans appear inflexible and rigid.
In the worst case scenario, the search for common ground leads to paralysis by analysis: the process of examination clouds the more important goals of reaching a decision and implementing a plan of action. That said, don't be discouraged if it takes Germans longer to come up with answers. Usually, they make up for lost time later.
Once Klarheit and Ordnung are established—when systems are in place and goals are set—Germans will try everything to make sure everybody sticks with the plan, follows directions and fulfills his/her part of the mission.
Remember when rumors started flying in Chattanooga that Volkswagen may never come here once the automotive industry was in such deep trouble? People were asking me in January and February if I still thought VW will follow through with their announcement.
I replied, "Don't worry. They took their time deciding on Chattanooga. Once they made up their minds, there was no going back."
And where are they now? Ahead of schedule.
German-American Business News
- Volkswagen poised for $16 billion stock issue. Company seeks shareholders' approval for a stock sale to help finance Porsche takeover.
- Do you have to do a lot of flying between the United States and Germany? Do you need to stay connected? Lufthansa may just be your best bet. (Disclosure: I don't get paid for that.)
- Wind power for the U.S., powered by German turbines - Siemens gets $900 million order.
- Team Germany wins the Solar Decathlon ahead of two U.S. competitors.
- Germany's power companies are hoping that the new government will extend the lifetimes of nuclear power stations, which would boost their profits. But analysts are warning that a nuclear comeback could delay the expansion of wind power generation for years.
- Next German government wants to cut red tape and plans to help mid-sized companies get more competitive when it comes to exports.
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Christian Höferle (or Hoeferle, for those without umlauts on their keyboards) is a German-American entrepreneur who grew up in the Southeast…the Southeast of Germany, that is.
He is the founder and owner of Höferle Consulting, a bilingual/bi-cultural service company, based in Cleveland, TN. Christian blogs (SoutheastSchnitzel) and tweets (@HoeferleConsult) about the many differences and idiosyncracies, as well as some of the commonalities, between the American and German lifestyles.
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