AGI

Society, Culture & Politics

The AGI Society, Culture & Politics Program focuses on crucial topics within the German-American dialogue, including: demographic change, migration/integration, and aging societies; electoral politics at the national, state, and European levels, and comparative analysis of Germany and the United States; diversity within Germany, Europe, and the United States; the politics of collective memory and identity, Holocaust remembrance and reconciliation, and shifting conceptions of national identity that shape perspectives and policy responses.
Reset

The President’s Pitch

Elected government leaders at any level of government are always expected to give speeches; most enjoy the chance to be on stage. With their speeches, national leaders are given roles …

Building a Bridge over the Atlantic? The Impact of the Bologna Process on German and U.S. Higher Education

Driven by the Bologna Process, European higher education has undergone substantial changes in the past ten years. DAAD/AICGS Fellow Tonia Bieber discusses the changes from the Bologna Process and whether the reforms will have an influence on American higher education.

Neo-Nazi Terror: Ein Angriff auf die Demokratie, ein Versagen der Politik

Die Morde des „Nationalsozialistischen Untergrunds“ und die völlige Ahnungslosigkeit der Sicherheitsbehörden erschüttern Deutschland. Diese Verbrechen sind weit mehr als ein Akt von Kriminellen mit politischen Motiven. Dass rund 60 Jahre …

Neo-Nazi Terror: An Attack on Democracy, a Failure of Policy

How did a right-wing terrorist group operate in Germany for thirteen years without being detected? In his essay entitled Neo-Nazi Terror: An Attack on Democracy, a Failure of Policy, Dr. Heiko Holste, Visiting Scholar at the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown University, looks at the failures of German intelligence in stopping the extremist group known as the “National Socialist Underground” and the government’s underestimation of neo-Nazi groups in Germany.

Gibt es eine Braune-Armee-Fraktion in Deutschland?

Gibt es in Deutschland im Untergrund operierende rechtsextremistische Terrorstrukturen, gar eine „Braune-Armee-Fraktion? Seit knapp zwei Wochen ist bekannt, dass eine Gruppe Rechtsextremer über dreizehn Jahre hinweg in Deutschland gemordet und …

Is there a “Brown-Army-Faction” in Germany?

In his essay entitled Does a “Braune-Armee-Fraktion” in Germany Exist?, AICGS Non-Resident Fellow Alexander Ritzmann examines whether the “Nationalsozialistischer Untergrund,” or National Socialist Underground (NSD), can be categorized as a terrorist group. Having recently come into the public spotlight following more than a decade of under the radar murders and robberies, the German Federal government, argues Mr. Ritzmann, must be cautious in labeling this newly surfaced group.

Stand Up and Fight is the Message Philipp Rösler Sent from Frankfurt

At their party convention this past weekend, Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP) made one thing clear: they intend to push forward in the face of mounting criticism. In his essay Stand Up and Fight is the Message Philipp Rösler Sent from Frankfurt, Dr. Tim Stuchtey, Managing Director of the Brandenburgisches Institut für Gesellschaft und Sicherheit (BIGS) and Director of the Business & Economics Program at AICGS, examines what was covered at the convention, as well as the remarks made by FDP Chairman Philipp Rösler.

Seriousness and Wish for Unity

In his essay Seriousness and Wish for Unity, AICGS Trustee Andreas Nick examines the serious tone set by Angela Merkel and other CDU leaders at this week’s party convention. While Merkel’s goals of a stronger Europe and a practical approach to global issues were once again at the forefront, it appears that the CDU’s plan for the 2013 general election has begun to take shape.

Constructive Power and Reconciliation: The Importance of German Societal Organizations

The Importance of German Societal Actors The Euro-zone crisis has focused international attention on Germany’s power, depicting the Federal Republic either as selfless savior (constructive power) or as dictatorial demon …

Merkel’s Momentum

In this week’s At Issue, Executive Director Jack Janes reviews the CDU party convention in Leipzig and Angela Merkel’s political leverage as she looks forward to the second half of her second term as Chancellor.

Germany’s Telling Reaction to bin Laden’s Death

A version of Dr. Jackson Janes’ At Issue essay appeared in Real Clear World on May 14, 2011: Germany’s Telling Reaction to bin Laden’s Death.

How Geography Explains Economics For Germany and the U.S

Dr. Tim Stuchtey quoted in “How Geography Explains Economics For Germany and the U.S.,” by Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, June 9, 2011.