Germany and the Problems of Our Time

Abstract

lrH tHEN the programme of my visit in London was being drawn up, i/i\/ I was particularly glad to be afforded an opportunity of speakT T ing at Chatham House. I know perfectly well that, in our confused and dangerous times, every country has her own problems and is fully occupied with them. Nevertheless, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity of speaking to you, to describe Germany's situation and the policy of the Federal Government, not in the changing light of the problems which crop up from day to day, but in connexion with the large-scale problems of our time. Germany's position in the centre of Europe, between East and West, causes German developments to be of great significance for developments in the whole of Europe and therefore in the whole world. Our Western culture is based upon the liberty of the individual and the rule of law in human society. In the course of centuries, the struggle for the realization of these objectives has followed different lines among the various nations of the Occident. Yet, at the moment, the entire Western Comity of Nations regards the solution of two tasks as essential for the preservation of our culture. These problems are, firstly, the effective realization of democratic principles within a constitutional order, and secondly, the creation of international associations for the preservation of peace and justice. In Great Britain democracy is the product of an uninterrupted historical process; it is the uncontested political and social system. In the course of German history, too, promising starts had been made in this direction, particularly in the cities. But the gradual dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, caused by the rise of territorial States and their desire for power, prevented the development and progress of democratic ideas and institutions. It was only after the beginning of the nineteenth century that a new political consciousness stirred in Germany. It was natural that the desire for a liberal system of government should have been associated with the desire for national unity. In I848, through the will of the people, the meeting of the first democratic German Parliament took place, but this Parliament did not succeed in creating a democratic German Reich. This failure had disastrous consequences for the German people. After the foundation of the Reich of I87I, a nationalism founded upon might gradually replaced the ethical idea of national freedom. Exploitation of 1 German official translation. I56