INTERNATIONAL
Pride and Prejudice
Amidst the Euro crisis, extreme stereotypes have set in.
Lazy Greeks and cold-hearted Germans? Germany was named the‘ most trustworthy but most arrogant and least compassionate’ country in the EU in a recent study published by the Pew Research Centre. The results reveal the mixed emotions evoked by the Eurozone crisis.
German philosopher Jürgen Habermas once said of the Germans,“ We may never be loved but we are respected.”
To the debt-ridden countries of the European South, Berlin is not only considered arrogant but brutal, working against the prosperity of their states by insisting on austerity as the only way forward.
historical narrative For many Europeans, this policy brings back memories of the hardship they endured under German occupation in WWII. In Greece, images of the atrocities still influence their way of thinking. Washing away the hostility with a bail out does not seem realistic.
“ It is not that we are xenophobic, it is our temperament; we are very emotional and we may give a wrong image”: says Dimitrios Anagnostou about the Greek prejudices.
Anagnostou is head of Strategy International, an organisation meant to promote constructive Greek Initiatives and Foreign and Security Leadership.
He believes that the Greeks dislike the German government’ s policy and not people.“ We use this situation only to strengthen arguments and portray ourselves as a deprived nation.”
Nine out of ten Greeks believe that Germany is playing a negative role in Europe, according to a public opinion poll published in April.
“ But this is because its in fashion. If it wasn’ t for the Golden Dawn, the far right nationalist party in Greece, we wouldn’ t be discussing the hegemonic role of Germany in Europe at all,” insists Anagnostou.
Biased media reports have portrayed Germans as blaming their Southern neighbours for being lazy, ungrateful and mooching off their work and tax money.
“ Myths on either side do not help to restore trust or solidarity,” explains German journalist Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger.
distorted reality The truth differs in both countries. While all eyes are on Germany’ s industry, the reality seems bleak. Exports and business have been stagnant for 15 months in a row. In many places such as Frankfurt, the financial crisis has evolved into a social crisis.
Anti-capitalist movements like‘ Blockupy Frankfurt’ turned into riots in front of the Old Opera House. Thousands protested to shut down the
European Central Bank for one day, calling for‘ humanity above profits’.
Although portrayed as idle, Greeks on the other hand, are ranked first among the other European nations when it comes to hard work. A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development( OECD) suggests that the Dutch and the Germans are in fact the‘ laziest’ of Europe, in terms of relative working hours.
awakening nationalism Jorgos Chatzimarkakis, a Greek-born German MEP in Brussels stresses,“ Stereotypes do have the potential to poison the common ratio in Europe.” The example of Greece and Germany illustrates the tenuous relations between many European states. In tough economic times, respect and trust seem hard to reconcile.“ Stereotypes have, of course, always existed, but the partially degrading component is new. We need more respect, more honesty, and more understanding of the differences in Europe,” stresses Chatzimarkakis.
On the banks of the river Main, the European Central Bank is currently being rebuilt. There lies the pulse of the Euro currency. This massive construction site symbolises the challenges facing the European community. Opposing views aside, the building also sparks hope as a new link in the German-Greek relationship. y. skoulas / g. n. t. o.
elisabeth doehne
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