Diversity In Germany Research Articles

The absence of ‘race’ in German discourses on Bildung. Rethinking Bildung with critical race theory

This paper investigates the impact of mostly implicit convictions about ‘white supremacy’ and racist ideas in traditional and recent theories of Bildung which is a central educational concept in Germany. Concepts of Bildung describe processes of individual self-formation. It will be argued that the notion of Bildung is still very important in academic and public discourses on education in general and on educational inequities in particular. It will be argued that the concept of Bildung focuses on a certain understanding of the subject which does not take into account structural inequities in terms of diversity, even though it is omnipresent in discourses on education and diversity in Germany. To show how deeply ingrained in philosophical and political ideas a racialised concept of Bildung is, selected works of Kant, Hegel and Wilhelm von Humboldt on education on the one hand, and on ‘race’ on the other will be analysed by using Critical Race Theory. However, despite this critique concerning the inherent ‘white’ supremacy, the critical potential of Bildung is worth recognising by formulating a critical race perspective on Bildung.

The New Differentialism: Responses to Immigrant Diversity in Germany

There is widespread agreement among scholars that the 1990s and 2000s witnessed a re-orientation of immigrant policies across western European countries. According to the literature, this re-orientation featured a new and strong focus on encouraging the adjustment of immigrants to the mainstream cultures and political norms of receiving societies. Our article looks back on the developments in Germany since the mid-1990s to examine these assumptions. We maintain that immigrant and immigration policy has shifted since the 1990s but that this shift is not as clear cut as many academic discussions would suggest. While there were good reasons to diagnose a (re) turn to assimilationism in the first half of the 2000s, we overestimated the strength and persistence of such trends. We draw on Rogers Brubaker's terminology in referring to current policies as a ‘new differentialism’. The new differentialism represents a novel trend in policy, reflective of broader societal transformations. These developments may complicate the place of the ‘German case’ in cross-national research – it has outgrown its status as Europe's maligned ethno-exclusionary pariah and does not easily conform to models focusing on the departure from, or transformation of, multiculturalism.

Conclusion: Policy Diversity in Germany's Federalism

This article will examine the extent to which the narrative of policy diversity is characteristic of German federalism, using findings from comparisons of policies in the individual Länder and with a special focus on the period since the German reunification. The first part of the article presents findings supporting the view that there is a significant degree of policy diversity in the states (Länder) of the Federal Republic of Germany (section one). Longitudinal studies also indicate an increase in policy diversity (section two). On the other hand, there are also some indicators that point to policy convergence, that is, to decreasing policy diversity (section three). On the whole, though, there are major differences between the German Länder, as is evident from even a cursory comparison with the Swiss cantons, the United States of America and the Austrian Länder (section four). The causes of the policy diversity and its limits must still be clarified. For this purpose four explanatory variables will be discussed in the final section of this article (section five): the partisan composition of government in the Länder, which increases the likelihood of policy diversity, and three other factors which tend to reduce the possibility of policy diversity: the competition between the two large pro-welfare state parties; then the division of powers between the federal state, the Länder and the European Union; and finally the institutional constraints on fiscal policy in the Länder.

Linking institutions and firm-level outcomes: the roles of diverse innovative capability profiles in Germany's economy

Traditionally, scholars of comparative capitalisms expect a solid link between institutions and outcomes, such as exporting and innovation. For Germany seminal approaches rely on an ideal-typical firm-level profile with strong innovative capabilities and high traditional institutional embeddedness. Current literature on firm-level diversity in Germany exposes that the empirical links between institutions, de facto firm-level profiles, and their outcomes are not well understood. An analysis of 988 German firms reveals no direct link between institutional variables and outcomes. A latent class analysis identifies five innovative capability profiles, which display diverse institutional embeddedness patterns and outcome levels. The prevailing profile conforms to several traditional expectations about the ideal-typical German firm-level profile. However, a second profile achieves similarly high export and innovation rates without traditional institutional embeddedness. The analysis shows the importance of diverse innovative capability profiles for the de facto links between institutions and firm-level outcomes within Germany's economy.

Financial costs and benefits of a program of measures to implement a National Strategy on Biological Diversity in Germany

The implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans (NBSAP), as required by Article 6 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), would improve the base for political decisions by quantifying the costs and benefits of biodiversity conservation in monetary terms and by illustrating the benefits of related ecosystem services (ESS). However, so far the costs and benefits of the NBSAP have not been routinely estimated. This paper presents results from research quantifying the financial costs and benefits of implementing a set of measures based on the National Strategy on Biological Diversity in Germany (NBS). Based on the NBS and the Quality Status Reports of the EU Habitat Directive, a conservation program was developed consisting of land use changes for six ecosystems/land use types: forests, arable land, grassland, peatlands, wetlands and dry habitats. In addition to the benefits of maintaining biodiversity, two potential ESS benefits of the NBS, water purification and climate mitigation, are estimated as well as the financial costs of implementation. A nationwide contingent valuation study was undertaken to determine the benefits of maintaining biodiversity as a result of the conservation program. The benefits of the conservation program with regard to the ESS water purification are calculated for N-reduction in the leachate and based on abatement costs. The contribution of nature conservation to climate mitigation is calculated for the avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and based on damage costs. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of the NBS would lead to significant financial costs, but the benefits would exceed the financial costs of measures.

Diversity in Germany: A Historical Perspective

This article explores the changing perception of "diversity" and "cultural difference" in Germany and shows how they were central in the construction of "self" and "other" throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries affecting minorities such as Jews, Poles, and others. It examines different levels of legal and political action toward minorities and immigrants in this process and explores how the perception and legal framework for the Turkish minority in the past sixty years was influenced by historical patterns of such perceptions and their memory. The article tries to shed some light on how the nature of coming-to-terms with the past ( Vergangenheitsbewältigung ) and the memory of the Holocaust have long prohibited a broader discussion on inclusion and exclusion in German society. It makes some suggestions as to what forced Germans in the postunification era to reconsider legislation, as well as society's approach to "self" and "other" under the auspices of the closing of the "postwar period" and a newly emerging united Europe.

Rahmenbedingungen von Zuwanderung und interkulturellem Zusammenleben in den ostdeutschen Bundesländern – eine Bestandsaufnahme

It is not only the case that new immigration and transit countries have emerged in recent years within Europe. Also within states with existing migration histories, target regions have become differentiated and migrants have reached places that previously have had but little experience of inter-cultural living. Discussion of the issues related to growing ethnic-cultural diversity in Germany focuses primarily on the western federal states, and particularly on large cities within them. Nonetheless, in recent years new clusters of international immigration have emerged in the eastern German states, even if they appear small in comparison to the traditional target regions. The majority of these clusters are established by the deliberate distribution throughout the country of new immigrants, particularly of asylum seekers and, especially in the past, of ethnic German immigrants from Eastern Europe and of Jewish quota refugees. The patterns of immigration, integration and social-spatial segregation differ not only from those in the western federal states but are also themselves extremely diverse. Against the background of the substantial neglect of East German states in migration research and political concepts about inter-cultural living, this paper aims to provide a summarising overview of the results of existing studies.

Diversity in early childhood education: a German perspective

This paper outlines the theoretical foundation of a skill enhancement programme in early childhood settings which follows the ideas of the Anti-Bias approach. A focal point of the concept is to acknowledge the connection between societal, structural and individual biases. It challenges those biases and assists educators in improving their competences to promote diversity. The paper describes the history of the transfer of the Anti-Bias approach across three different international contexts. An empirical study is then introduced which is based on the combination of a document analysis and expert interviews of those who facilitate the concept. The findings reveal that developing competences in reflecting the individual self and professional actions are key methods, and they entail implications for concepts of enabling educators to support inclusion. Those implications as well as input on dealing with diversity in Germany are outlined.

Analysis of porcine parvoviruses in tonsils and hearts from healthy pigs reveals high prevalence and genetic diversity in Germany

In the present study, tonsils and hearts from 100 pigs were collected in a German slaughterhouse in 2010 and tested for porcine parvoviruses (PPV, PPV2, PPV3 and PPV4). PPV was observed in 60 of 100 hearts and 61 of 100 tonsils, and PPV2 was observed in 55 of 100 hearts and 78 of 100 tonsils. PPV3 and PPV4 were found in 20 and 7, respectively, of the 100 tonsils tested, but not in the heart samples. Positive samples of PPV, PPV2 and PPV3 were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis revealed at least two distinct lineages for each virus in the German samples. The high detection rate of PPV, PPV2 and PPV3 in healthy animals and their genetic diversity highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of these viruses and their zoonotic potential.

Neighborhood Diversity and Social Identity Complexity

The authors argue that exposure to contextual diversity can prompt more complex, differentiated, and inclusive multiple in-group perceptions, that is, social identity complexity, with positive consequences for intergroup relations. Two unique, large-scale national surveys, involving respondents sampled from neighborhoods of varying degrees of diversity in Germany (Study 1; N = 1,381 drawn from 50 different neighborhoods) and England (Study 2; N = 580 drawn from 192 different neighborhoods), tested the prediction that people living in ethnically diverse neighborhoods would be higher in social identity complexity and, in turn, hold less negative intergroup attitudes. Results confirmed this hypothesis, showing that greater diversity was directly associated with higher social identity complexity (Studies 1 and 2) and indirectly associated with less in-group bias (Studies 1 and 2), and less social distance (Study 2), via social identity complexity. Findings are discussed with regard to their implications for the consequences of diversity for intergroup relations.

Społeczność muzułmanów w Niemczech

The goal of this article is primarily to present modern challenges of Muslim community in Germany and their diversity and interdependence with the modern trends of Islamic social and political thought. Muslims in Germany are a young and very diverse community in terms of ethnic, social and religious, but still Turks are predominant population. On the one hand, German Muslims are the descendants of temporary workers, who came mainly from Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and former yugoslavia. On the other hands this community has its origins in political exile and refugee from Palestine, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Iraq or Iran. According to this we can see among this community formal and less formal links with external centers such as Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which has the impact on different groups and also on the level of integration of this community with German society. In the context of religious diversity in Germany, we distinguish groups such as Sunnis (majority), small group of Shia mostly from Iran and some members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from Pakistan and Alevis. Recent research of the Ministry of the Interior suggest that in Germany there are about 4 million Muslims, not as it was estimated previous about 3 million. The results of this study also show that the correlation between the confession of Islam and the integration is not so obvious. Simultaneously, the public law about religious community in Germany enforces a high level of institutionalization of Islam. Since the early 80’s, along with the second generation Muslim immigrants educated in German schools, reinforcing the tendency to organizing. After this process Islam has become a visible religion in Germany. Most recognized organization are Türkisch-Islamische Union der Anstalt für Religion e. V. (DİTİB) through 44% of Muslims researched in 2009, then are specified Zentralrat der Muslime in Deutschland by 27% repospondents, Verband der Islamischen Kulturzentren – 25% and Alevitische Gemeinde Deutschland 27%. Although there are many different organizations and associations we can still describe Muslim Community in German as a community at a low level of institutionalization. We can observe also a process of the social integration of Muslim and some effects of the integration policy conducted by the German government but sill we can find as well some examples of the Islamophobia in German Society.

The Carriers of Diversity within the Police Forces: A “Weberian” Approach to Diversity in Germany

Cultural diversity has been one the most pressing challenges to present-day Germany. Issues of diversity and, its corollary from the perspectiveof the recipient society, the practice of toleration—as opposedto the personal attitude of tolerance—are being paradigmaticallydebated around the fate of Muslims. Although not new, Muslimspresence and public claims, such as the claim for legal recognition ofIslam and religious instruction in public schools, have undoubtedlyraised the issue of diversity anew. Some recent events, such as the“Ludin case,” a German teacher of Afghan descent who fought thefederal state of Baden-Wurttemberg to wear a hijab in class, is a tellingexample (see Beverly Weber’s article examining the case in this issueof German Politics and Society). Similarly to the debate raging overheadscarves in France, this case seems to point to the “Muslim” as animportant figure of the stranger, understood as symbol of groupmediation, of the group’s inner and outer boundaries.1 But, unlike theheadscarf affair in France, where pupils are at the center stage of thedebate, the case of teachers in Germany bears witness to a differenttype of stranger as outlined by Simmel in terms of spatial and symbolicposition within the group. Indeed, he/she is a stranger “fromwithin.”2 As such, Muslim growing and enduring presence in Germanyshowcases practical problems encountered with the “managementof diversity” within some state institutions. Looking at the assessment of these dilemmas not only points to conflicting normativemodels of social organization, but also puts in the hot seat thosewho, to paraphrase Dubet, carry out le travail sur autrui (“work on theother”), professionals activities, which aim at explicitly transformingthe “stranger.”

A 'guiding culture' for immigrants? Integration and diversity in Germany

The Christian Democratic Union's (CDU's) recent proposal for a national 'guiding culture' as the basis for immigrant integration has aroused considerable controversy in Germany. This paper examines the underlying assumptions and framework of this approach to integration. It argues that this approach rests on a Romantic understanding of culture that obscures fundamental internal differences within majority cultures and further marginalises minorities. In postulating a unitary, homogeneous vision of German national culture, the CDU has forgotten the sharp conflicts that long divided German Protestants and Catholics, and which reached their apex during the Kulturkampf of the 1870s. Moreover, focussing on immigrant integration as primarily a cultural matter ignores the relationships of power that shape any integration process. The importance of looking at the institutional and structural dimensions of such a process is made clear by comparing the Federal Republic's experiences with integrating the expellees/refugees of the 1950s and the East Germans after 1990. The CDU's notion of a 'guiding culture' for immigrants should be understood as illustrative of a broader pattern among elites in modern liberal-democratic states to invoke cultural and other ascriptive characteristics as a rationale in order to deny full and equal membership to minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

A 'guiding culture' for immigrants? Integration and diversity in Germany

The Christian Democratic Union's (CDU's) recent proposal for a national 'guiding culture' as the basis for immigrant integration has aroused considerable controversy in Germany. This paper examines the underlying assumptions and framework of this approach to integration. It argues that this approach rests on a Romantic understanding of culture that obscures fundamental internal differences within majority cultures and further marginalises minorities. In postulating a unitary, homogeneous vision of German national culture, the CDU has forgotten the sharp conflicts that long divided German Protestants and Catholics, and which reached their apex during the Kulturkampf of the 1870s. Moreover, focussing on immigrant integration as primarily a cultural matter ignores the relationships of power that shape any integration process. The importance of looking at the institutional and structural dimensions of such a process is made clear by comparing the Federal Republic's experiences with integrating the expellees/refugees of the 1950s and the East Germans after 1990. The CDU's notion of a 'guiding culture' for immigrants should be understood as illustrative of a broader pattern among elites in modern liberal-democratic states to invoke cultural and other ascriptive characteristics as a rationale in order to deny full and equal membership to minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

What is German History? Reflections on the Role of the Nation in German History and Historiography

At the end of the sixteenth century, when the humanist and geographer Matthias Quad tried to find the boundaries for " Germany," he was forced to conclude that "there is no country in all of Christendom which embraces so many lands under one name." Two hundred years later, Goethe and Schiller wrote their famous epigram: " Germany? But where is it? I don't know how to find such a country." In 1832, Leopold von Ranke remained pessimistic that an answer to this question might easily be found: