Democracy Is A Threat To Germany

A recently published book, by one of the most influential German newspaper publishers, is pleading for a transition toward "less democracy." The "voice of the people" and the "emancipatory Zeitgeist, putting everything into question," has too much of a "paralyzing influence" on current governance, writes the publishing house in its blurb for the book. The author therefore demands to "correct the system" for "more efficient policy making." These "corrections" must include the dismantlement of democratic participation.

The book, recently published under the title "Dare Less Democracy" is being heavily promoted by public broadcasting stations, for example the Westdeutsche Rundfunk (WDR), with close affiliation to the Social Democrats. For some time, influential circles of the German elite have been demanding dismantlement of democracy in Germany. The recently published book will bring this debate into a broader public.

The book "Dare Less Democracy" was published in August by the publishing house of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of the most influential German dailies. The author Laszlo Trankovits is the bureau chief and correspondent of the Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa) in South Africa. He had previously worked for dpa in Washington - as its "White House correspondent," according to the publisher.

Laszlo Trankovits claims that "The functioning and efficiency of a society, state and economy" are threatened, if "everyone can have their say and participate in everything."

It is therefore necessary to "debate how the systems of leadership, planning and shaping the future can continue to function." But this will lead to conflict with "political correctness," which "usually" proscribes "all demands (...) for a moderate limitation of participation and transparency."

Trankovits however, is publicly calling for means of reducing democratic participation in Germany. He demands: "Fewer elections, longer legislative periods" and for the government "more centralization, more concentration of power, more control."

In reference to the Federal Constitutional Court being repeatedly summoned on the constitutionality of new laws, Trankovits writes: "The increasing involvement of the Constitutional Court is heading in the wrong direction." Rather than democratic participation, "Governance" needs "competence, decisiveness and leadership." It should never be suggested that a "democratic society can do away with inequality and establish social justice." Trankovits, demands that "intelligent forms of public relations" be used to communicate policy measures to the population. However, the demand for more "transparency" is "counterproductive and paralyzing" for any "governance efficiency" and must be rejected.

The call to dismantle democratic participation must obviously be seen in light of the West's loss of global influence to China's advantage. Trankovits explains that "German leaders (...) often are ravished, when they speak of China's huge development leaps." In "western democracies" we are accustomed to "years, if not decades of debate on the construction of a new power plant, airport or railway station." China's economic success causes "doubts about democracy's superiority" and the "traditional feelings of superiority held by democrats" is dwindling. This will induce efforts to reshape western societies, so that they can again take the leadership in global competition.

All this corresponds to assessments expressed in a review published in the periodical "Internationale Politik" last year. The review also explained that China's economic boom "has reignited the competition of systems." Particularly "managers and industrialists" are hoping that the dismantlement of democratic participation will enhance "their opportunities." In their discussions, the elites are particularly bemoaning the inertia of democratic procedures and "the lack of a selection of political personnel." This induces a wish for "conceptualization of pertinent, depoliticized, bureaucratic procedure" and for "a bit of dictatorship." In fact, circles of the Berlin's establishment are already discussing dictatorial methods. The key Nazi jurist, Carl Schmitt, differentiated between provisional and sovereign dictatorships. "If there is various talk of dictatorial powers and measures today, it is usually [!] in the sense of what Schmitt referred to as a provisional dictatorship," the review explains, while also recognizing certain problems in its implementation. "But no constitutional institution is currently prepared to take the risk of installing a provisional dictator."

According to the Westdeutsche Rundfunk (WDR), closely affiliated with the Social Democrats, Trankovits has "carefully analyzed why too many opinion polls, too much democratic participation and accessibility of citizens could paralyze Germany." This wording, is a clear attempt to convince the public that Germany is under threat because of democratic oversight. The book description reads "the combination of political and economic freedom has lost its persuasive power. Dare Less Democracy examines the destabilizing and paralyzing influence of the "voice of the people"."

According to the Hessische Rundfunk (HR), "his book seeks to counteract disenchantment with politics (and politicians) and is an encouragement to all of us." Both broadcasting stations are providing much space and praise to the author and his publication - State support for an attempt to bring the debate on dismantling democracy into a larger public arena.

 

Find the book Here

As we have mentioned before, German politicians such as Schauble believe democracy is too inefficient, blaming the current crisis on democratic oversight and the cost of democracy!