The German Black-yellow coalition: Another year of conflicts between and inside the ruling parties
Wang Guangcheng
Abstract: In 2011-2012 the Black-yellow coalition continued the frequent conflicts and infightings. Around the new presidential nomination, euro debt crisis and a number of domestic reforms, there were intensified contradiction between the ruling parties and opposition. The “willing coalition” between the CDU/CSU and FDP has become a “conflict coalition”. Although cooperation several times so that ruptured, the parties do not want to see real coalition government collapse in advance. The Black-yellow cooperation should be able to keep to the general election in September 2013. People weary of “conflict coalition” already, lookforward to the return of the black-red grand coalition, and hope at the same time that Angela Merkel continue to serve as head of the federal government.
Key Words: Presidential nomination infighting, Response on the European debt crisis, FDP, Union parties; Angela Merkel phenomenon
The Party Landscape before the Federal Election 2013 and its forecasting
Wu Huiping
Abstract: This paper analyzes the influences of political leaders of the major political parties in Germany and important issues affecting the electoral behavior of the voters as well as other factors such as the ongoing amendments of electoral law which also affect the success of the election. It investigates the strategy adjustments of policy priorities by the major political parties on the eve of the election and their overall performance, and tries to give a brief forecasting of the possible coalitions and outcome of the election.
Key Words: Germany Federal Election, Federal Parliament, Party Landscape
The status quo, causes and influence of Right-wing extremism in Germany
Yang Yunzhen
Abstract: The article first discusses the classification of right-wing extremism in Germany and argues it is characterized by intolerance, racism, xenophobia and anti-democracy. Then the article identifies the profile of those who vote for extreme right parties. The third section investigates the reasons for the rise ofthe German extreme right and highlights immigration, unbalanced social-economic structure between west and east and opportunity structures offered by Germany’s political system. Finally, the article analyses the influence which extreme right forces have had on German society, includingthe influences on the young people,economy and mass psychology,as well as the response of Germany’s mainstream political parties and other forces from society. The conclusion is that it is a long term task fighting againstRight-wing extremism.
Key Words:German Right-wing extremism, NPD, Neo-Nazism, Xenophobia, Anti-multicultural
Review of performance of German Economy and the economic policies of German government
Shi Shiwei , Huo Yuan
Abstract:German economy was negatively impacted by the recession in the Euro zone in 2012. The GDP has grown apparently slower and it will not get better in 2013. The German government exerted the leading role for overcoming the debt crisis and for the closer coordination of financial and economic policies within the Euro zone. It focused thereby on creation of the better legal framework for fair competitions on the marketplace. This has been proved as most helpful for resetting the macroeconomic balance and facilitating growth. As for the institutional reforms, the German government adhered to the principle of subsidiarity based on the Maastricht Treaty and opposed the attempt to establish a “European government” with more centralized power.
Key Words: German economy, economic trends and forecasting, European debt crisis, principle of subsidiarity
An Analysis of the “German Job Miracle” ——Review of the German Labor Market Policies in the Context of the Crisis
Zhu Yufang
Abstract:The economic and financial crisis in 2008/2009 caused worldwide economic recession.And in the subsequent Euro crisis, many European countries fell into a deeper economic morass, and the unemployment rate soared. The German economy also stumbled in 2009, but soon rebounded strongly, particularly the labor market maintains extremely healthy, and seems to be immune to the crisis. In 2011 and 2012, the performance of the German labor market can be described as continuation of the good momentum since 2005, and the unemployment rate reached the lowest point since its entrance into the Euro zone. This article will interpret and analyze the “German JobMiracle” in the context of the international economic and financial crisis in 2008/2009 and the Euro crisis in the resent time from the aspects “internal flexibility” and “unit labor costs”.
Key Words:Germany Job Miracle, Labor Market Policies, Crisis
Development and Prospect of the Post-Crisis German Financial Markets and Supervision
Wang Qian , Zhu Zhehao
Abstract:The U.S. subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, and the European sovereign debt crisis starting from Greece in 2010, generated large impact in the global political, economic, and financial field. Since the outbreak of the crisis, as the main figure in solving the problem of the debt crisis - Germany, its financial areas also experienced various changes. In this paper, we describe developments and changes in the German financial markets, especially the bond market. We also analyze the German financial regulatory reforms during this time, including the current financial reform. Finally we give a outlook on the future development.
Key Words: Germany, financial market, property market, treasury market, financial regulation
Germany’s energy transition policy: status quo, Implementation and problems
Zhu Miaomiao
Abstract: This paper analyzes the situation today, the implementation and problems of Germany’s energy transition policy from June 2011 to the end of 2012. Although faced with a variety of issues, German finds it impossible to return to the stage of using nuclear power. The implementation of the energy transition policy will continue to move forward. At the current rate of the implementation, it will be very difficult to achieve on schedule the energy transition targets according to the timetable established by the government of Angela Merkel.
Key Words: energy transition，nuclear phase-out，energy efficiency，renewable energy，wind energy, solar energy
Review on the social policy reform of the Black-yellow coalition
Zheng Chunrong
Abstract: Since the CDU/CSU and FDP have formed in 2009 a coalition government, they launched a series of social policy reform measures, which mainly covered the labor market policy, family policy and social insurance policy. Combined with the party difference theory and veto player theory, this paper explains the reasons to reach these reform measures, and pointed out the different positions of all parties. It can also reflect the potential new adjustmentsingerman social policy after the Bundestag election on September 22, 2013.
Key Words: Germany, Black-yellow coalition, social policy, labour market, social insurance reform
Review of German Universities Excellence Initiative
Yu Zhouming
Abstract: Excellence Initiative aims to promote Germany's state-of-the-art scientific research, to improve the quality of German universities, to strengthen the knowledge to land in Germany, and to enhance its international reputation. Specific measures include improving the cultivation of the back-up research talent, strengthening research cooperation, promoting the German universities Features build. The plan whether is under deliberation, promulgated or in the subsequent stages of implementation, draws a great deal of attention in German and internationally, and has led to heated discussions. This article describes the background and circumstances of the introduction of the scheme, and to evaluate its impact and Looking to the future prospects of the German universities.
Key Words:German universities; excellence initiative; scientific researchpolicy; higher education reform
The Development and Trends of German Culture since the new century
Hu Chunchun
Abstract:The item of culture has a unique importance in historical and present context of Germany. Based on the UNESCO-definition of culture, the paper surveys the status quo and development of the political frameworks, the cultural policy, citizen engagement, cultural consumption and different cultural fields such as literature, music and theatre, movie and television in Germany since the new century. Remarkable cultural phenomena, e.g. newspaper crisis, and issues, e.g. the so-called Leitkultur (leading culture) debate, and their challenge to the future of German culture are also covered.
Key Words:German culture, cultural policy, German literature, leading culture, newspaper crisis
Germany's European Policy in the European Debt Crisis
Dai Qixiu , Wang Zhiqiang
Abstract:In 2012, Germany's foreign policy was still focused on the European debt crisis. On the European regional level, the German government proposed a serie of new institutions and regulations so that the European debt crisis might be alleviated to some degree. On this basis, German government attempted to maintain EU's solidarity and defend the euro, for the purpose of avoiding the potential danger of the collapse of euro zone. In response to the fluctuations of the European debt crisis and in consideration of the disputes and divergences between EU member states, German politician and policy makers paid much attention to the options of “Two-Speed Europe” and “Multi-Speed Europe” again. Actually, just as the history of European integration indicates, the Europe has always been pushing forward its integration through a continuous process of negotiations and compromises for overcoming a multitude of divergences, disagreements, and dilemmas. This point has become yet the cornerstone on which the German politicians build their cognitions and perceptions for their making of European Policy. This article aims to elaborate on the Germany's European Policy in 2012 from the following three perspectives: 1) the Germany-France cooperation and conflicts over the issues related to the European debt crisis; 2) Germany's new blueprints over the relations between the euro zone and the non-euro zone; 3) Germany's renewed reflections over the feasibility of the “Two-Speed Europe”.
Key Words: Germany's European Policy,Cooperation and Divergences between France and Germany, Relations between the Euro Zone and the Non-Euro Zone, Two-Speed Europe
The adjustment of the German defence policy under the framework of the EU and NATO
Li Lezeng
Abstract: In May 2011, Germany developed and released a new “defence policy guideline”, which determined policy orientation and implementation principles for further large-scale reform of the Bundeswehr. It clearly showed Germany sought to take on more international responsibilities in its security policy. After United States’ implementation of its strategic shift, Germany and other European allies face new issues regarding the coordination of the relationship to the NATO through the common European security and defence policy. In addition to consensus of all parties on the deployment of ABM systems in Europe, on some important strategic issues the EU and NATO are still in the progressive stage of mutual adaptation. Allies look forward to Germany to play an active role in that process.
Key Words: Bundeswehr, German Security Policy, Common European security and defence policy, Germany and NATO
The Construction of a special relationship between China and Germany
- Comment on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's sixth visit to China
Yin Tongsheng
Abstract:Sino -German relationship has entered into the age of forty this year,an age of maturity in human development. This relationship hasexperienced both positive and negative development.But generally speaking, this period has seen more flowers than thorns. We are able to say today that both countries have watered with their sweats this brilliant flower of “special relationship”. This special relationship has been outstandingly demonstrated at the second round of Sino- German Government Conference when German Chancellor Angela Merkelmade her sixth visit to China. It hasbeen highlightedin theadvancement of strategic partnership andin the breakthrough of economical and trading relationship as well as culture relationship. Of course, there have been and therewill be problems in bilateral relations. But if history can predict thefuture , so long asthe Chinese andGerman governments cherish this hard earned achievement and correctly handle key benefits and concerns and problems of both parties, Sino- German relationship will develop with greater, betterand more rapid strides.
Key Words:sino-german relationship, special relationship, Solar Industry, pacemaker