In Praise of Germany

So my prediction was right for once, and Germany won. Actually, I have never placed a bet on sports, and am pretty sure the bookies would beat me. However, every so often I delude myself. I also fancied a tip from Gary Lineker on the BBC website to back Algeria as the last surviving Africans at 10-1 or so. Simply because they were in Group eight that looked a good bet – and it would have paid out. Oh well.

I was very happy for Germany, and not only because I picked them. They were the best team, and played exciting and intelligent football. They were the least dirty team in the last sixteen and always played with a fair spirit, diving and surrounding the referee much less than other teams. They never needed penalties to advance.

There was also a lot to admire in what lay behind the win. There was a consistency of plan and approach over ten years or more. Team ethic was always emphasized over individual brilliance. The team valued work ethic and persistence. There was a clear approach, but also a readiness to adjust mid-game. The depth of squad was second to none. And the team made full use of a diverse array of talents, whether in age, style or background.

In all these factors, the team shared a lot of traits with the German nation itself. The poor Germans get such a bad press; it is time for the residual resentment from the Hitler years to be set aside. True, the policies carried out by that regime were especially odious, and many Germans actively colluded or at least stood aside. But that generation has largely passed away now. We have also seen many subsequent examples to show that a patriotic rhetoric and a compliant media, combined with pressure of expectations, can pull most people along in its slipstream.

It is time to stop the veiled references to the wars. It is especially time to stop casting aspersions at the German character. We have got into the habit as seeing admirable strengths as somehow dangerous or threatening, or at least worthy of ridicule.

For if you look at the last sixty years, many of the world’s most wonderful human achievements have occurred because of Germans. Adenaur was a leading light behind the EU. Brandt learned how to lead a divided country with practicality as well as principle. The unification project was executed with brilliance. Germany led the process of integration of other Warsaw pact countries into a strong, safe, prosperous Europe. Finally, having steered the introduction of a single currency, Germany played the leading role in holding it together during the financial crisis.

Meanwhile, from the wreckage of the war, a social system has been built as strong as any in the world. Drive through Germany and it is impossible not to feel a sense of development, stability, peace and prosperity. This is much stronger than in neighbouring countries. Behind this lie ethical and spiritual values, and a focus on family and education.

As well as some extraordinary leaders, Germany has used the same strengths that helped the soccer team prevail in Brazil. There is teamwork, a focus on the fundamentals and on the long term.

German companies have an unusual degree of cooperation between management and their staff, through the work council concept. Fundamentals place quality ahead of slogans and campaigns. And the long-term is served through consistency of strategy and implementation. It helps that many German companies are family-held, so the mixed blessing of instant pressure from the markets can be held at bay.

These strengths come through most clearly in the Mittelstand, a cluster of specialist companies holding world-leading positions, often in obscure fields like ball-bearing manufacture. There are larger leaders too, notably in the automotive sector, where VW have played their hand consistently well for a long time.

I worked quite a lot in Germany, and these admirable qualities were in abundance, though I also found the place extremely frustrating. There was a strong conservatism, expressed through respect for hierarchy and age. Change did not come easily, and bureaucracy could be heavy. I found this rather stifling when I worked there. It does not surprise me that Germany has been slow to produce leaders in technology or retail, sectors where pace and flexibility matter more.

Contrary to stereotype, I have always found Germans fun and rewarding colleagues. Even in large groups, I have never seen any tendency towards militarism or groupthink. There is always respect and decency, and sometimes even humour.

What is gratifying to witness now is the way Germany is using its strengths for the global good. Angela Merkel is an exceptional leader, but I hope this trend is deeper and will outlast her.

Germany is clearly leading the EU with brilliance, but its influence spreads more widely nowadays. Have you noticed how Mrs Merkel is often in the news around the troublespots of the world? In Ukraine, the situation may well have spun out of control without her steady hand – she has respect of both Putin and Obama. In Iran, the negotiating group is P5+1 – the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany. Germany also takes the lead in speaking truth to the power that is Israel, especially delicate and laudable given the history.

Germany is also being deft in handling its powerful ally, the US. It is not easy being an ally of a hegemon. Britain tries fawning. France tries occasional sulks. South Americans mix resentment with dependence. As far as I can observe, only Germany is consistent and sticks to facts and issues.

Recently, it has been Germany that has shown the strongest principles over the Snowden revelations. Others have used them for domestic short-term gain or have been silenced by their own complicity, but Germany has spoken out consistently and with clarity. It is obvious that this is a matter of deep principle, coming from the recent history of East Germany and the Stasi.

I greatly admire the move on Friday to send home a senior US diplomat. This is not without risk, but the reasons were made clear, and are far more than a pandering to local opinion. It gave rise to an interview I saw on US public television on Friday evening.

The German invitee stressed the seriousness of how her government saw the subject. The US invitee was an embarrassment, but a telling one. He was condescending and dismissive, arguing that everyone spies on everyone else and that the Germans would get over it in time. Sadly, the administration probably feels the same way. They underestimate Mrs Merkel. She will not back down until there is authentic recognition and restorative action on the US side. I will celebrate the benefits to humanity, as well as enjoying the spectacle.

As Russia reasserts itself and China rises, such maturity will become ever more crucial. Hopefully, other nations will ally more and more around German opinion, and a powerful force for good will grow as a result. The world needs it.

So it is time we changed our attitude to Germany. Their World Cup team deserves higher praise than “ruthless efficiency” and so does their national psyche. Mrs Merkel deserves a Nobel prize and her nation deserves permanent Security Council status. We should all fight stereotypical portrayals, fed by lazy media in Greek streets and even at the Eurovision Song Contest as well as the sports studios, and start to fully recognize the force for good we have in the world.

Congratulations Germany, and thank you.