General Report
Where is Germany heading after the federal election?
Zheng Chunrong
Abstract:The CDU/CSU and the SPD formed the third grand coalition government in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany in December 2013. Because the opposition is relatively weak, this gives the grand coalition government large operation space. But there were discordant voices inside the coalition shortly after the government came to office. The trust within the coalition government got compromised especially because of the Edathy scandal. The grand coalition government has set new goals in domestic and foreign affairs: the most concerned issues of the new government in internal affairs are the introduction of the statutory minimum wage and the achievement of successful energy transition. Differing from the restraint foreign policy of the former coalition government between the CDU/CSU and the FDP, the new government has already shown its willingness of making adjustments in diplomatic practice, which is pursuing proactive foreign policy. However, as Germany has been economic interest oriented since the German Reunification and become more and more inward-looking, whether the new grand coalition government could lead the country to become an outward-looking shaping power depends much on whether it can overcome the constraints on domestic affairs, including its “culture of restraint” and the limit of its strength.
Key words: Germany, Grand Coalition, Internal Affairs, Foreign Policy, Outward-looking Shaping Power
The End of the Black-yellow Coalition
Wang Guangcheng
Abstract:There was little suspense in the German federal election, 2013. The CDU/CSU is still the greatest political power in Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel won the election again. As for the black-yellow coalition, there is much to review. After the failure in the state election in Lower Saxony at the beginning of the year, the CDU/CSU has already determined not to offer its governing partner assistance by “rental vote” (Leihstimme). The FDP has to fight alone to survive. The main factors leading to this situation are the long-term inner conflict and crisis inside the black-yellow coalition on the one hand and the inability of the FDP to get out of the plight of recession and marginalization on the other. The FDP tried to share the achievements of the coalition government, which wasn’t endorsed by the CDU/CSU and the public. It was a hard lesson for the FDP that the black-yellow coalition ended. Merkel’s decision of linking up with the SPD represents the public will and also shows some changes inside the CDU.
Key Words: Federal Election, the Black-yellow Coalition, State Election Lower Saxony, CDU/CSU, FDP
Review of the German Federal Election 2013 and Prospect of the German Political Party Landscape
Wu Huiping
Abstract: This paper reviews the results of the 2013 German federal election and analyzes the success and failure of major political parties in the election. The challenges that all political parties confront after the election are also presented in this paper, mainly from the following aspects: the political party constellations, the trends of development and change in the left-wing camp and the survival crisis of minor parties. The prospect of the German political party landscape is as well as reflected.
Key Words: Federal Election, Political Party Landscape, Germany
Stable Developments with Potential Risk-- Review and Prospect of the German Economy
Zhu Yufang
Abstract：The economic performance of Germany in 2013 was gratifying. Under the condition that there was no fundamental improvement of the external economic environment, the German economy remained stable and achieved a modest growth. The situation of manufacturing sector was optimistic. The government’s fiscal condition continued to making improvement. The income and welfare of the residents increased steadily. The employment rates were high and the inflation rates were low. Especially, as an export-oriented country, Germany achieved much more growth stimulation from the domestic demands. Both in horizontal and longitudinal comparison, almost all the economic indicators show that the German economy was relatively healthy. The good performance of the German economic benefits from the special circumstance around the nation, which is the result of the affection of the external and internal factors. The special model of the German social and political governance has been great advantage and worked most effectively. However, the change of the circumstances is inevitable. Furthermore, there are contradictions between the social, political and economic development of Germany and the external environment. Therefore, cautious advance on the premise of maintaining the status quo is the most rational option for Germany.
Key Words: Germany, Economic Development, the Social Market Economy
Germany’s Role in European Economic Governance
Shi Shiwei , Kou Kou
Abstract: Due to the rescue measures of overcoming the European Debt Crisis, the Euro-zone economies have been gaining momentum since the middle of 2013. Germany has undoubtedly been taking the leading role in the European economic governance. But it also requires mutual learning and self-adjustments of Germany and the other member states of the EU in the process of European economic governance. In order to overcome the lacking of coordination of economic policies within the Euro-zone, which is the major cause of the crises, the Merkel government advocates establishing a long-term mechanism for the European economic integration through institutional reforms, such as the promotion of fiscal pact and banking union. However, due to the diverse interests within Germany and between the member states of EU, this will be a long-lasting process.
Key Words: European Economy; Germany; European Debt Crisis; European Economic Governance; European Economic Integration
Germany’s “Re-rising” and its Influences
Zhao Ke
Abstract: The “re-rising” of Germany is rooted in the strengthened competitive advantages of the German industry in the Euro system and powerful financing capacity based on that. Unlike the traditional hegemony, the dominance of which is one-way coercion, Germany’s way of leading Europe today is based on “the leading of idea” and “non-neutral institution”. Germany’s “re-rising” accelerates European strategic transition: improving economic competitiveness, starting fiscal integration and promoting the emergence of “an enlarged West”. Germany’s leading role can reduce China’s cost of dealing with Europe, but the key point is that Germany’s political elite consider China more as a challenger instead of a real strategic partner.
Key Words: Germany, Re-rising, Financing Capacity, Euro, An Enlarged West
German Renewable Energy Policy：Current Status and Future Development
Zhu Miaomiao
Abstract:This paper reviews the content and impact of the renewable energy policy in Germany. The reform measures that the new government will possibly implement on renewable energy policies based on the Coalition Agreement and their impacts on future development are also analyzed in this paper.
Key Words: Germany, Renewable Energy, German Renewable Energy Act, Renewable Energy Policy, Power Generation using Renewable Energy Sources, German Energy Transition
Review of Research and Innovation Policy of the German Government
Yu Zhouming
Abstract:The German government has always attached importance to the scientific research and innovation policies. This article mainly introduces the federal government’s key research and innovation policies such as High-Tech Strategy on the basis of the German research and innovation system and reviews the achievements and problems of these policies implemented by the previous black-yellow coalition government. The research and innovation policies written in the Coalition Agreement of the present government and its prospect are also introduced and analyzed in this article in combination of the advices of the experts.
Key Words: German Research and Innovation System, Research and Innovation Policy, High-Tech Strategy
To be, or not to be, that is the question for the Europe Narrative
- Some remarks upon the special and general crisis in Europe from the German perspective
Hu Chunchun
Abstract: German intellectuals generally anticipate a paradigmatic change of social order in the time of ongoing crisis in Europe. The so-called “crisis of legitimation” reveals the structural conflict between democracy and capitalism which, once believed to be under control during the welfare state period in post-war Europe, inevitably broke out under the neoliberal social and economic conditions of the European Union. The old version of Europe Narrative must consequently be substituted by a new one. In the process of rebuilding of or searching for the narrative, the teleological discourse to achieve perpetual peace seems to have accomplished its historical mission, while the post-war capitalism model of social-democracy proves to be an important resource for new thoughts and concepts. To bring the history back into contemporary time also means to recur to the moral philosophical position of the dignity of human being which primarily defines itself through work. This point must underlie the common engagement to reshape Europe.
Key Words: Democratic Capitalism, Crisis of Legitimation, Capital, Peace, Dignity of Human Being
Review of the German-American Relationship in Obama’s Second Term
Xiong Wei
Abstract: The German government used to praise Obama’s victory in his re-election as a good opportunity to strengthen its partnership with the U.S. . Unfortunately, the tone of the bilateral relationship was soon changed by the “Prism” from optimism into suspicion and distrust. The TTIP negotiations create new opportunities for both countries to work on their relationship. And the Coalition Agreement of the new German government promises to maintain the German-American cooperation on security issues. However, the German-American relationship seems not to regain the enthusiasm and has stepped into a cold era in which calculus of national interests is dominant and the emphasis on shared values and special bonds become much less frequent.
Key Words: Transatlantic Relationship, TTIP, PRISM
The Mechanisms of the “Sino-German Rule of Law Dialogue” and its Influence on Sino-German Relationship
Gao Xujun
Abstract: This article defines the purpose, content and characteristic of the “Sino-German Rule of Law Dialogue” and analyzes its mechanism from the perspectives of the coordinating body, the forms and others. On this basis, this article focuses on the role of the “Rule of Law Dialogue” in the promotion of the Sino-German relationship, particularly in the process of promoting the rule of law construction in China.
Key Words: the Rule of Law Dialogue, Mechanism, Sino-German Relationship