AGI

Society

Our societies are changing on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to demographic change, immigration and integration, and regional differences—among other factors. Greater understanding about our cultures, an open exchange about emerging issues, and fostering dialogue between different groups can help German and American societies build stronger internal and external connections and awareness.
Reset

German Domestic Relations a Roller Coaster for Migrants

Upon opening the high-level Geneva conference at the end of March, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that the world must “address the biggest refugee crisis of our time.”  …

Muslim Perspectives on the Immigration and Integration Debate in Germany Today

The massive influx of refugees to Europe during the past year has prioritized issues of integration and immigration on the German political agenda and has resulted in a heated public …

Scouting the Land for Opportunities: Issues and Challenges in Refugee Workforce Integration in Germany and the United States

March 13 saw strong voter support in three German state elections for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party. Fueled by continuing waves of incoming refugees, anxiety is building in …

From the AGI Bookshelf: The Seven Secrets of Germany: Economic Resilience in an Era of Global Turbulence

A simple question runs through this book—why is Germany different? The authors are deciphering the secrets to answer that question and, in their analysis, offer explanations for Germany’s ability to …

Chief Facilitator: The Legacy of Hans-Dietrich Genscher

The passing of Hans-Dietrich Genscher marks another milestone in the unique history of the leadership of the Federal Republic of Germany. His life and career embody the path of the …

LGBT Refugees: Perpetuated Persecution in Asylum

Life as an asylum seeker is not an easy one.  Having faced persecution and violence in their home countries and uprooted their entire lives, these migrants face political, socioeconomic, and …

From the AGI Bookshelf: Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning

Timothy Snyder’s latest book, Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning, presents exactly those two narratives. His review of how the Holocaust emerged and evolved has been and remains …

The Refugee Crisis Confronts Germany’s Society with Three Major Challenges

The dominant theme of this year’s discussions is that of refugees. Factual debates have turned into power issues now. Who will win the fight about the implementation of “ceilings” for …

Die Bedeutung zivilgesellschaftlicher und staatlicher Institutionen: Zur Vielfalt und Komplexität von Versöhnung

Versöhnung – verstanden als ein Prozess der Umwandlung von Feindschaft in Freundschaft und der Aufarbeitung einer unmittelbaren deutschen Vergangenheit von Barbarei, vielfachen Kriegsverbrechen im Zweiten Weltkrieg und dem Holocaust – …

Defining Dualities: Context, Content and Comparison in German-Israeli Relations in the Framework of Europeanization

German-Israeli relations against the background of Europeanization transpire at multiple levels. This essay begins with the context, and then turns to the content of the link between the German-Israeli relationship …

To Welcome or Not to Welcome: Native Sentiments Regarding Migrants In Flux

In the U.S., New Orleans police will no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, thus enacting what are deemed “sanctuary city” policies likely to face pushback from opponents.  Until recently, …