Who is Germany?
—a 3-part radio series

This radio documentary series was first broadcast on ABC Radio National’s Creative Instinct program in November and December 2012

In a world of global ambitions and amorphous regions, Europe has become emblematic of the struggle between the need for collective cooperation and the fear of becoming lost in a vast, culturally homogenous mass. And in the current crisis of confidence about the future of the European ‘project’, one country sits as a symbol of all the tension and all the uncertainty.

Germany is once again right at the heart of global events and its role in the unfolding drama is being examined from all the obvious political and economic angles. But to understand what the future might hold for Europe, it helps to understand something of the identity of the main player.

So who is Germany? This series of three programs aims to provide some useful vignettes of how Germany sees itself, and how the country is perceived from the outside.

Produced + Presented by Michael Shirrefs

Part 1—Who is Germany?

This week, Creative Instinct begins a 3-part series that will look at aspects of a country that, once again, finds itself at a pivot point of history—Germany.

Germany is a relatively modern construct, but a lot has happened in its 140+ years. The 20th Century saw Germany play a central role in some of the most seismic global events. In recovery from both WWII and the Cold War, Germany somehow managed to reinvent itself as an economic powerhouse. And yet, once again, events have conspired to give Germany a decisive part in a global drama.

Economic commentators and political pundits tie themselves in knots trying to figure out the future of European economies, but understanding some of the underlying elements of German modern identity may help us to better interpret how events in Europe will unfold.

In this program we hear from some keen socio-political observers, who have thought much about the question of ‘Who is Germany?’

First broadcast on Creative Instinct
ABC RN, on 17-11-2012

Part 2—At street level

In the second of our series, where we’re piecing together a picture of modern Germany, we step away from the political sphere for a street-level view.

The cultural identity of modern Germany has many facets, some historical and others very contemporary. The tricky issues of migrant Germany are as crucial to understanding the German psyche as is the rich tradition of romantic literature and enlightenment thinking.

From Weimar to Kreuzberg, this episode finds a human view of Germany today.

[translations in this program were by Ariane Pauls]

First broadcast on Creative Instinct
ABC RN, on 24-11-2012

Part 3—The collaborative innovator

In our final exploration of German identity, a look at this European country’s remarkable capacity of collaboration and innovation—in industry, in music and in healing the rifts of history.

It’s the land that applied its national quality of focus and discipline to manufacturing and turned it into an economic art-form. But it takes much more than discipline to continually reinvent and adapt to industrial and social change.

Germany has maintained a premium edge in cars and technology as it adjusts to a global marketplace, but it’s also required some very nuanced social agility to cope with the divisions and upheavals of the Cold War and the subsequent unification.

First broadcast on Creative Instinct
ABC RN, on 1-12-2012

Extras

Two short videos:

• An excerpt from interview with Prof. Dr. Gesine Schwan, former Director of the Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance in Berlin, and one-time candidate for the German Presidency

• An excerpt from an interview with Nele Hertling, former Vice-President of the Berlin Art Academy—the Akademie der Kunst