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____________________
*
! i.e. rather an idea at present (7 MAR 11)
! conflict transformation
! anger, apathy, fears, frustration,
! participation
! people & politicians,
! politicians
! transparency
! integrity, openness
! in Germany
! continuity, development, evolution, identification,
! happiness, satisfaction, security, solidity/stability,
! sustainability, trustworthiness, well-being
resignation, tensions
governance
Conflict Transformation in Germany
– Learning from (e.g.) Stuttgart 21 –
Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency
Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany
Proposal (1st draft)
*
– Berlin, 7 MAR 11
by Conflict Transformation in Germany
c/o Vladimir J Rott
D -12205 Berlin, CH -8049 Zurich
skype vjrott
phone D +49 30 9227 4200
mobile D +49 151 5615 7028
mobile CH +41 76 566 1212
email vjr@vjrott.com
web vjrott.com
! "
!"
!!
!
"
CONTENTS! PAGE
Abstract, summary! 1
Project features! 2
‣
Aims, rationale! 2
Developing governance by transforming conflicts
Transforming social and political processes, relationships and structures
‣
Objectives, means, methodology, processes! 2
Cooperation, interaction with partners – project/program partners, strategic
partners, target groups
Bringing the »arts«, »crafts« and science into action
‣
Main action & research questions, themes! 4
The »Conflict Transformation Four«
‣
Interaction, output, strategic partners! 5
‣
Further project/program partners, target groups! 5
‣
Progression plan! 5
Background – Germany today! 6
Issues in overview
‣
Problems, conflicts, tensions! 6
Conflicts, tensions with repeating patterns
Conflicts between people and their representatives, politicians
Conflicts between people's representatives, politicians themselves
‣
Handling conflicts, dialogue culture! 9
‣
Solid, stable foundations of society, politics and economy! 11
‣
Germany, and Europe, growing together! 11
European memory/ies and reconciliation/s
‣
Economy, in transition (?)! 12
‣
Politics, democracy, developing further! 12
‣
Citizens' participation – in progress in Germany! 13
On the way to participation
A paradox ...
... a potential to tap
Initiatives and referenda – communes, countries...
...and federation
Federalism, local autonomy and responsibility. sovereignty
‣
Citizens' participation – first steps in the EU! 14
‣
Integrity, openness, transparency! 14
Annexes! ...
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
i / i
! conflict transformation
! anger, apathy, fears, frustration,
! participation
! people & politicians,
! politicians
! transparency
! integrity, openness
! in Germany
! continuity, development, evolution, identification,
! happiness, satisfaction, security, solidity/stability,
! sustainability, trustworthiness, well-being
resignation, tensions
governance
ABSTRACT, SUMMARY
We
1
propose to approach conflicts and tensions in Germany from the
perspective of conflict transformation, political participation (incl. advanced
political rights) and transparency.
We deem our approach to be innovative in
•! applying these three areas – in particular conflict transformation – in
Germany, one of the developed, »mature« European countries
•! focusing on the positive interaction, the »synthesis«, of these areas, on their
(at large) still untapped potential as crucial in advancing, developing further
governance
2
in German communes, countries, federation
•! by introducing (more) constructive, cooperative and participative processes,
relationships, structures.
3
These areas of knowledge and practice
•! already hold ready a number of methods – such as participatory action
research
4
– instruments and skills
•! to be adjusted, developed further, tested, evaluated and implemented by and
with partners (actors, multiplicators, stakeholders) in German society,
politics (and, possibly, economy) – in a cooperation on many levels, of long-term
engagement and on-going development.
4
Our work,"contributions, findings, results and outcome will be
•! linked to similar efforts and shared with other institutions of the
international community (including civil society, governments, international
organizations)
•! in Europe, other countries world wide.
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
1 / 15
1
! core team(-to-be) of initiators, aiming to establish, build up and promote a competence group,
center, a »think and do tank« and/or a program of »Conflict Transformation in Germany«
2
! for »governance«"see next page »Developing governance by transforming conflicts« (in »Aims, rationale«)
3
! a focus enabled by the solid, stable foundations of society, politics and economy in Germany
4
! see »Objectives, means, methodology, processes«, next and following page (pp. 2, 3)
PROJECT FEATURES
‣
AIMS, RATIONALE
DEVELOPING GOVERNANCE BY TRANSFORMING CONFLICTS
The idea (aims, the rationale) of this proposal is to
•! advance, develop further the governance – »the ›arts and crafts‹ of how we are
governed, govern ourselves« – in German communes, countries, federation
by
•! transforming conflicts in contemporary politics and society of Germany
5
into
more constructive, cooperative and participative processes, relationships and
structures
TRANSFORMING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROCESSES, RELATIONSHIPS
AND STRUCTURES
through
•! development of ways and means of how we discuss, engage, involve in
society, politics – and how we are governed, govern ourselves
6
by introducing, implementing (and achieving)
•! more cooperation, participation in politics
-! of the people and their representatives (more direct democracy)
! within a more advanced, developed, contemporary political system of
-! more collegiality, concordance, consensus (common solutions),
! ! (cooperative) proportional representation of all
-! more federalism and subsidiarity
7
! ! (more local autonomy, more direct/local responsibility)
•! more integrity, openness, responsibility, transparency
‣
OBJECTIVES, MEANS, METHODOLOGY, PROCESSES
The objectives – and means, methodology (including assumptions & guiding notions /
process principles) to achieve them – are
•! to identify, analyze, discuss conflicts and tensions, their underlying
problems, causes and their forms, dynamics, interactions
•! to develop and offer ways and means how to avoid, tackle, solve them
•! to include, involve and engage all actors, stakeholders, state and non-state
(partners, target groups)
•! in a constructive, multi-partial and empathetic manner, in a cooperation on many
levels, of long-term engagement and on-going development, »underlaid« by
general approach of participatory action research – ... involving conflict
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
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5
! conflicts, tensions, underlying fears as perceived, broken out, or not, »hidden«
6
! Welche Regierung die beste sei? Diejenige, die uns lehrt, uns selbst zu regieren.
/ Which is the best government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.
! – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (in, still, rather a top-down understanding of, not only, his times)
7
! what can be done at the most local level should be done there, what can better be done at the next
level/s should be delegated there – communes, cities, countries, federation, inter-/transnationally
stakeholders in drawing up research questions and hypotheses ... feeding back the
results of ... investigations, thus ensuring that they remain a continuous part of
the ... process ...
8
COOPERATION, INTERACTION WITH PARTNERS – PROJECT/PROGRAM
PARTNERS, STRATEGIC PARTNERS, TARGET GROUPS
by establishing (by a"core team of initiators), building up (and promoting)
•! a competence group, center, »think and do tank«, and/or a program
and
•! its network – of existing and new partners, world wide and in Germany
-! politicians, political parties, their
9
(and other public) foundations
-! donors, (private) foundations, programs
-! personalities, institutions, networks (academic, educational,
political, scientific)
-! engaged citizens, civic society, non-state (non-armed) groups,
CSO/NGOs
10
-! media, wider public
BRINGING THE »ARTS«, »CRAFTS« AND SCIENCE INTO ACTION
by making
•! the knowledge, expertise, experience
of, and
•! systemic, inter-/multi-disciplinary, applied, comparative, empiric research
(»underlaid«, as already said, by general approach of participatory action
research)
on
•! conflict transformation, peace building, dialogue promotion
11
•! cooperative, open, participative, transparent political systems
12
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
3 / 15
8
! source: the Berghof institutes – www.berghof-conflictresearch.org, www.berghof-peacesupport.org
–"for a project/process management guideline see e.g. ANNEX P, overview of »Consultation Process for
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation«, Austin Consult – www.conflict-transformation.org
9
! across all parties, finding the common ground, common understanding, to begin – as soon as
possible – with the »lowest common denominator«, i.e. »least common multiple«
10
! already quite a number of them –"and active, »heavily« engaged (for some see e.g. ANNEX B »Possible
partners: CSOs/NGOs...«, a few work examples, overviews in the ANNEXes F, G (K, L))
11
! for overviews of some assessment criteria, rankings (»conflicts, governance, economy, civil liberties,
democracy, participation, freedom, performance, society«) and sources – an inspiration to develop »our«
assessment system – see e.g. ANNEXes H"»Functioning of states...«, I"»Democracy index«, J"»Democracy
ranking«)
12
! enabling and supporting the engagement, involvement and identification of its citizens, groups,
organizations, politics, society – on which (e.g.) the »SWISS LIVING LAB« provides first-hand
experience and knowledge, a subject of academic teachings, scientific findings, data and sources
(for some see e.g. ANNEX B »Possible partners«, a few work examples, overviews in the ANNEXes
F"»Assessing democracies...«, G"»Initiatives and referenda in German[y]...and elections«, K"»Traditional and
modern democracies«, L"»Practice and processes of modern democracy«)
•! and economy/economics, competitiveness and participative/more direct
democracy, its institutions – happiness & economics, competitiveness &
governance
13
, competitiveness & transparency
14
work for and with
•! the people, the communes, the countries and the federation of Germany.
15
‣
MAIN ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS, THEMES
16
•! developing (more) common understanding
17
of
-! conflict transformation, participation, transparency in Germany
-! in interaction with, impact on governance, economy
•! applying, implementing
-! easy to understand, easy to use instruments, assessments,
rankings, methods, processes
-! adjusting, further developing, simplifying existing ones
•! in a cooperation on many levels, of long-term engagement and on-going
development
18
THE »CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION FOUR«
the »Conflict transformation in Germany« proposal fits the four inter-related
main themes, three main subject areas of the conflict transformation »arts &
crafts«
•! dealing with the German past, post-peace-building, reconciliation (WWII,
post-WWII, re-unification) – successes, »leftovers«
•! from non-state non-armed (i.e. opposition, »resistance«) groups to (more)
involved, engaged political actors in (non-violent) politics, with conflicts
becoming (or, transforming into) constructive contributions
from non-state non-armed (i.e. opposition, »resistance«, non-involved)
groups to political actors, to politics of more (non-violent) non-conflict
•! to a more constructive, more cooperative interaction between state and
non-state actors
•! education, training
19
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
4 / 15
13
! e.g. Reiner Eichenberger, Lars P. Feld, Bruno S. Frey, Gebhard Kirchgässner, Alois Stutzer, Beatrice
Weber di Mauro, ... et"al. – ANNEX B »Possible partners« / e.g., among many others, ANNEX C
»Happiness, Economy and Institutions«, ANNEX D »Competition and Contestability«
14
! see e.g. ANNEX E for »Competitiveness vs Corruption...twelve years...«
15
! and –"possibly, later on – also in other Europe, other regions, together with further partners,
differentiated by the specific underlaying issues to be tackled, e.g. »new« and »old» Europe
16
! see the sections of the following »Background« chapter for more, operative action & research questions
17
! includes a (more) common, plain, clear language – one of the »good dialogue« principles, e.g.
called for by Heiner Geissler during the »Stuttgart 21« talks (see also Anyone here speak NGOish?,
The Economist, 27"JAN"11 – www.economist.com/node/18014068 )
18
! see »Objectives, means, methodology, processes« (pp. 2, 3)
19
! the Berghof Foundation and institutes – www.berghof-foundation.de, www.berghof-conflictresearch.org,
!! www.berghof-peacesupport.org, www.friedenspaedagogik.de
‣
INTERACTION, OUTPUT, STRATEGIC PARTNERS
20
the core community and network (actors, multiplicators, stakeholders)
•! politics (»top-down«)
•! (civil) society (»bottom-up«)
•! research, science (»throughout«)
•! education
•! media, PR
‣
FURTHER PROJECT/PROGRAM PARTNERS, TARGET GROUPS
21
•! politicians, political parties, their (and other public) foundations
•! donors, (private) foundations, programs
•! personalities, institutions, networks (academic, educational, political,
scientific)
•! engaged citizens, civic society, non-state groups, CSO/NGOs
•! media, wider public
‣
PROGRESSION PLAN
phase ONE
•! core team
•! seed financing
•! agreeing on common base,
issues, scope
•! program/project proposal
•! project leader, partners,
network
•! working team, advisory board
•! program/project financing
phase TWO
•! ...
•! ...
•! ...
•! ...
•! ...
•! ...
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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5 / 15
20
! these groups, of course ...
21
! ... do intertwine – same partners as in »Objectives, means, methodology, processes« in the »Project
features« chapter, see also ANNEX B »Possible partners«
BACKGROUND – GERMANY TODAY
This chapter seeks to give an overview of conflicts, tensions in today's Germany and
their underlying and related issues.
22
Action & research questions (hypotheses) are
proposed.
23
ISSUES IN OVERVIEW
Identifying problems, conflicts, tensions between and within groups (people,
representatives), to structure, systemize, prioritize and select the key ones for action
and research.
Some more insights – on the »Stuttgart 21« example – into how today's
Germany handles its conflicts, what dialogue culture it has, what are the findings,
chances ahead.
On its solid, stable foundations of society, politics and economy, the once
divided Germany is growing together, along with once divided Europe – in second
wave of European integration progressing since two decades.
24
An important member of globalized economy, Germany – along with other
post-WWII »European Tigers« – undergoes a transition of its social market economy.
Germany's politics is developing further, introducing more direct citizens'
participation into its parliamentary democracy, perhaps also to be followed by
introducing more subsidiarity into Germany's federal system.
The issues of integrity, openness, transparency may, should be strengthened.
‣
PROBLEMS, CONFLICTS, TENSIONS
CONFLICTS, TENSIONS WITH REPEATING PATTERNS
Over and over again, there seem to be problems in Germany, conflicts and tensions
with repeating patterns, which divide both people and their representatives,
politicians as well as politicians, representatives themselves.
During our work they will be identified, structured in a conflict
transformation system (model), prioritized and the key ones selected for action
and research.
CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES,
POLITICIANS
e.g.
•! (large) infrastructure (public) projects (e.g.
»Stuttgart"21«)
25
and works
•! their planning, realization, privatization or
(return to) public ownership
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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22
! does not intend to replace profound analyses...
23
! to be worked out, completed, discussed and listed (some are already in the text, footnotes)
24
! after the collapse of USSR and its (Middle and East European) satellites in the late 1980s
25
! for the »Stuttgart 21«"example, see next section »Handling conflicts, dialogue culture«
–"see ANNEX A for some more examples of larger infrastructure projects with similar conflict
patterns in Germany
coalition
opposition
people
conflict
line
•! growing power, influence of (private, speculative) finance over economy,
politics and society
•! unclear, blurred »division of power« between economy and politics (»one-
sided« lobbying, »behind-the-scenes« and/or »openly«)
•! public finance, use of funds (growing taxes, growing public debt, growing
interest payment on it)
•! intransparent financing of, use of funds in politics, political parties (both
private sources and taxes)
•! corruption cases, misuse of power, »self-service mentality« (in economy,
politics, society)
•! »diminishing« social state, social exclusion, growing economic concerns
•! discontinued and/or low (»no«) responsibility of (elected) representatives
•! low esteem of politicians, distrust in politicians
<–> low esteem of the electorate, distrust in the electorate
•! going to »war/s« (without people's mandate)
26
CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES, POLITICIANS
THEMSELVES
e.g.
•! the »eternal circle«"of coalition vs. opposition,
»winners vs. losers«, ongoing »election fight«,
switching roles as »enemies«/»partners«,
»foes«/»friends«
27
leading to, intertwined with
•! low esteem of political »enemies«/»partners«, distrust in
political »enemies«/»partners« (»foes«/»friends«)
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
7 / 15
26
! defeated in the WWII and disarmed after, Germany got its army (i.e. both Germanies got their
armies) within ten years after the war's end – only after German reunification in 1990, the
»absolutely defensive only« Bundeswehr became involved outside Germany, in peace-supporting
missions at first, yet today the boundary to a »war« appears to have been crossed, blurred – so also,
and consequently, the German defense minister and the chancellor called the Afghanistan mission
in April 2010 a »war«
– the challenge now is (would be) to shift (German) politics to (more) modern means of building
and supporting peace, transforming conflicts
– enter »SWISS LAB« – Swiss army, its missions, are (also, along with a number of other issues)
subject to participative, consensual politics, people's initiatives and referenda
27
! »Konkurrenzdemokratie«, a heritage from the dawns of contemporary democracy, therefore – enter
»SWISS LAB« for comparison – an inefficient (not so efficient) political system, not (not sufficiently)
assuring continual development, stability, not (not sufficiently) implementing concordance,
consensus, collegiality, proportional representation (Konkordanz, Konsens, Kollegialität, Proporz) of a
more developed democracy, thus keeping a disturbingly large part, even a majority, of people and
their representatives »out«, outside the representative part of political process, while concentrating
on the »art« of power-re/gaining and wasting resources – political, human, financial – and causing,
enhancing conflicts, apathy, fears, frustrations, resignation, tensions
opposition
coalition
people
conflict
line
coalition
opposition
people
opposition
coalition
people
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
-! transforming traditional politics – with (two main)
large-scale conflict lines – by ...
... introducing consensual, cooperative,
participative elements, processes,
structures – with small-scale
conflict lines
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
8 / 15
‣
HANDLING CONFLICTS, DIALOGUE CULTURE
The example of »Stuttgart 21« gives (representative) insights into how politics and
society handle conflicts in"today's Germany, how constructive their dialogue culture
is, or may be – and into their rising awareness of chances, changes and actions ahead.
1.!!OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THERE SEEM TO BE SOME
PROBLEMS, CONFLICT, EVEN VIOLENCE... e.g. »Stuttgart 21«
N
E
C
K
A
R
N
E
C
K
A
R
F
I
L
S
D
O
N
A
U
Weilheim
Wiesensteig
Laichingen
Nürtingen
Dettingen
Deggingen
Amstetten
Geislingen
Gruibingen
Hohenstadt
Westerheim
Aichelberg
Holzmaden
Denkendorf
Wendlingen
Kirchheim
Bernhausen
Filderstadt
Leinfelden-
Echterdingen
Schönaich
Richtung
Zürich
ROHRER KURVE
Westerstetten
Hochdorf
Plochingen
Esslingen
Feuerbach
Richtung
Karlsruhe,
Mannheim
Richtung
Karlsruhe
Bad Cannstatt
Mühlhausen
Drackenstein
Merklingen
Dornstadt
Metzingen
Ostldern
Richtung
Augsburg,
München
Göppingen
Tübingen
ULM
E52/A8
E52/A8
E52/A8
STUTTGART
NEUBAUSTRECKE WENDLINGEN-ULM
DAS BAHNPROJEKT STUTTGART-ULM
NEU-ULM 21
WENDLINGER
KURVE
FILSTALTRASSE
Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof
S-Bahn-Station Mittnachtstraße
Filder tunnel (9.468 m)
Bahnhof Flughafen/Messe
Tunn el De nkend orf (768 m)
Albvorlandtunnel (8.155 m)
Tunn el Wei lheim (225 m)
Boßlertunnel (8.790 m)
Filsta lbrücke (485 m)
Steinbühltunnel (4.825 m)
Tunn el Au tobah n (37 8 m)
Wid ders tall -Tunnel (96 3 m)
Tunn el AS Mer kling en (4 24 m)
Imb erg-Tu nnel (49 9 m)
Alb abst iegs -Tunne l (5. 950 m)
Ulm Hauptbahnhof
ULM
HBF
STUTTGART
HBF
NEUORDNUNG
BAHNKNOTEN
BAHNHOF
FLUGHAFEN/MESSE
NECKARTAL-
BAHN
GÄUBAHN
STUTTGART 21
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
Tunnel und Brücken
01
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Bahn
Neubau Bahn
Tunn el
Neubau Tunnel
Autobahn
Fluss
Legende
02
16
DAS BAHNPROJEKT STUTTGART–ULM
NEUBAUSTRECKE WENDLINGEN–ULM
STUTTGART 21
NEU–ULM 21
Promotional material of »Stuttgart 21« (»S21«), the main railway station and urban
development in Stuttgart, with some relating elements of the »Bahnhof 21« and
»Netz 21« infrastructure development strategy of German Railways, set off against
pictures of the demonstrations taking place since the beginning of the construction
works in early 2010 and culminating into violent clashes in autumn 2010.
2.!!...YET ALSO GOOD INSIGHTS, QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS,
PROPOSALS... e.g.
» Ich bin für Bürgerbeteiligung. Ich bin für Transparenz. «
– Angela Merkel
28
Schlichtung um »Stuttgart 21« – und was dann?
... eine für Deutschland ungewohnt zivilisierte Streitkultur...
29
» Wir brauchen ... in Deutschland eine Verstärkung der
unmittelbaren Demokratie ... das
Beteiligungsverfahren der Schweiz ... «
– Heiner Geissler
30
Learning from »Stuttgart 21« – some quotations, comments reflecting the arising
awareness of chances, changes needed, actions ahead – citizens' participation,
transparency, civilized culture of dispute, »unintermediate« (i.e. direct) democracy,
participative practice/processes of Switzerland.
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
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!
9 / 15
28
! German Chancellor, in her speech at the CDU party congress in Karlsruhe, 15.11.10
29
! NZZ, 26.11.10 – www.nzz.ch/~/schlichtung_um_stuttgart_21__und_was_dann_1.8451145.html
30
!German politician (CDU and www.attac.de member, former federal minister), invited to mediate by the
»Stuttgart 21« conflict parties, in his final »Schlichterspruch« in Stuttgart, 30.11.10
3.!!...AND, OCCASIONALLY, ALREADY SOME GOOD TALKS –!POSSIBLE
BEGINNING OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION...
The »Stuttgart 21« talks under the mediation of Heiner Geissler,
October/November 2010
4.!!...POSSIBLE BEGINNING OF A SOLUTION, ALREADY APPLYING
SOME OF THE KNOW-HOW...
» ... dialogue ... between conflict actors ... a solution ... taking
account of ... basic needs for security, identity and participation ...
... dialogue and problem-solving ... with high ranking
politicians and decision-makers ... bridge the gap
between ... government ... and civil society ...
... in parallel with the formal, government processes of communication
and negotiation ... understanding between conflicting parties ...
encourage new thinking about future relationships ...
... cooperation and ... connections between ... parties ... «
Glossary
dialogue in conflict transformation – e.g. www.conflict-transformation.org / www.berghof-foundation.de
5.!!...KNOW-HOW STANDING BY, READY AND
WAITING TO BE – FULLY – IMPLEMENTED...
by making the knowledge, expertise and experience of (and – systemic,
inter-/multi-disciplinary, applied, comparative –!research on)
•" conflict transformation, peace building, dialogue promotion
•" happiness & economics, (direct, participative) democracy,
institutions
•" cooperative, open, transparent, participative political systems
(citizens, groups, organizations, politics, society)
work for and in
•" Germany
31
! Conflict Transformation, Participation, Transparency! Proposal (1st Draft)
! Systemic, Interdisciplinary, Applied – in Germany! Berlin, 7 MAR 11
!!
!
10 / 15
31
! slides from a presentation (draft), NOV/DEC 2010
‣
SOLID, STABLE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY, POLITICS AND
ECONOMY
Contemporary Germany is founded on historical, groundbreaking steps made in the
middle of last century –"the political elites' decision to definitely refrain from wars as
means of handling inter-state conflicts among themselves, i.e. within the countries of
western part of Europe and their overseas allies.
32
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
‣
GERMANY, AND EUROPE, GROWING TOGETHER
After four and half decades of post-WWII division of Europe into two »blocks«, its
»eastern« part caught in totalitarianism, the collapse of former Soviet Union gave
way to second wave of European integration, including German (re)unification.
33
EUROPEAN MEMORY/IES AND RECONCILIATION/S
34
Challenges for a European, and German, memory –"reconciling, integrating memories,
historical experiences of
•! Holocaust and Gulag (of Nazism and Soviet communism), other
genocides,"expulsions, resettlements, doctrines of and push for "ethnically
homogenous" countries, populations (20th, 19th centuries)
•! inflation and depression (early 20th century), with its social insecurity,
impoverishment, mass unemployment ... up to the most recent "financial" crisis
•! colonialism and immigration – from slavery to neo-colonial (economic) policies,
colonization, exploitation ... up to today's humanitarian catastrophes, civil wars,
border conflicts, state collapses, terror attacks, environmental and climate
catastrophes
•! from transnational migration to Europe (19th, 20th centuries), also a story of
asylum and escape from poverty ... to highly diversified immigration of today
•! post-WWII transition – and the post-1989 one – way out of the cycle of
totalitarianism and ideological division/s
... controversies will always exist ... the central idea ... is that, as long as these conflicts are
waged peacefully and a treated at an institutional level, they are precisely what can create and
strengthen a community ...
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! »SWISS LAB« – the birth of contemporary Swiss democracy dates a century sooner –"after the last
civil war (with religious components) in November 1874, the Swiss decided not to take part in any
wars and »took off«, with the federal constitution of 1848, to keep on evolving a participative,
conflict-avoiding, conflict-resolving, cooperative political system and the constitution itself – based
on advanced citizens' political rights, local autonomy, competences, decisions and responsibility
33
! perhaps, the »LAB OF UNIFIED GERMANY« may be examined, compared systematically with other
countries of the former »Soviet block« – in their development, integration and other issues (rule of
law, democracy, civic society, citizens' and human rights, governance)
34
! source: Claus Leggewie: Seven circles of European memory, 2010 – see ANNEX N »European memory/ies
and reconciliation/s«
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
‣
ECONOMY, IN TRANSITION (?)
Enabled and supported by post-war US aid programs, rapid economic development
and a consequent boom followed, rebuilding the devastated economy and society in
western part of Europe. (Western) Germany's »Wirtschaftswunder« is a famous
representative of this.
The growth of this »reconstruction« economy flattened off after a couple of
decades. It seems that the challenge Germany – along with other »mature« countries
– is facing since some years, with growing urgency, is transforming the economy,
»globalized« in between, of quantitative growth into a qualitative, sustainable one,
while keeping the social market economy, the welfare state »intact«.
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
‣
POLITICS, DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPING FURTHER
After WWII, (Western) Germany developed into one of the world's most advanced
democracies. Yet with structures and understanding rooted in the (post-monarchist)
beginnings of parliamentary democracies.
35
Today, six decades and a couple of generations later, the politics and society of
contemporary Germany seem to be a bit »stuck« in its post-WWII political (and legal)
framework. Some of its safeguards, written or not, those intended to »keep the
people out« of politics, except at elections, are becoming questioned. Are they truly
based on the intention to ware off the WWII and pre-WWII experience
36
– to deal with
the brutally violent past? Or are they merely leftovers from the post-WWII struggle for
power?
37
On the other hand, there seems to be a widening consensus for adjustments,
changes needed, discussions about a reform ahead, although the »technicalities«"how
to proceed – or not – may vary substantially.
38
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
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! top-down understanding of sovereignty and governance, the way through courts as a »by-pass« of
obstacles and inefficiencies of the political system, »Kanzlerdemokratie«, »Konkurrenz-/
Mehrheitsdemokratie«, ... (of course, there are other developed countries with similar heritage)
36
! with roots, of course, in the post-WWI, WWI, pre-WWI times and beyond
37
! see Otmar Jung, ANNEX O »Nicht ›Weimar‹ sondern...«
38
! the actual discussion on »learning from S21« is a good example of this wide spectrum
‣
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION – IN PROGRESS IN GERMANY
ON THE WAY TO PARTICIPATION
In general, Germany is proceeding in (more directly) involving, participating
people in politics, on the »way to participation« with its (e.g.) four steps
•! ONE, basic level – inform (from selectively to openly, passively to actively)
•! TWO, stronger – involve, participate in dialogue, discussion – leading to
broader and deeper (mutual) understanding, of issues, positions, solutions
•! THREE, strong – involve, participate in development of ideas, proposals,
solutions –"leading to high(er) quality of (experts') solutions and/or to their
broad(er) acceptance
•! FOUR, very strong, binding, as equals, partners
39
– involve, participate in
binding decisions –"leading to broad(er) acceptance of (experts') solutions,
ownership, shared responsibility.
A PARADOX ...
However, people's (direct) participation is still being contested over and over
again. The underlying fears, doubts – spoken out loudly or not – about people's (lack
of) maturity lead to a – more and more often heard – question, why citizens'
judgement should be fully trusted at election times (only) and (fundamentally)
mistrusted in between.
... A POTENTIAL TO TAP
It is precisely here, in this paradox, where a considerable potential lays still
untapped. An effort should be made for a better understanding of political
participation – and related issues, like broad(er), deep(er), more open political/
public/social discussion and development of issues, solutions, including shared
responsibility
40
– opening the way to constructive interaction and cooperation
between state and non-state actors, to a new, broader and deeper, social agreement.
INITIATIVES AND REFERENDA – COMMUNES, COUNTRIES...
Since the last decade of the last century, inspired by some other advanced
democracies (e.g. Switzerland, some US states) and »pushed« for jointly by NGOs/
CSOs
41
and politicians, all German communes and countries introduced first
important steps to main instruments of more political participation – citizens'/
people's initiatives and referenda.
42
The German names for their distinct and varying forms Bürgerinitiative,
Bürgerbegehren, Volksinitiative, Volksbegehren / Bürgerentscheid, Volksentscheid reflect the
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! »auf Augenhöhe«, one of the sayings Heiner Geissler used during his famous mediation of the
»Stuttgart 21«"talks (representing step one, »one and a half«, on the »way to participation«)
40
! see e.g. IRI Europe, www.iri-europe.org, for (concise) descriptions of participatory politics, examples see
ANNEXes F »Assessing democracies...«, K »Traditional and modern democracies«, L »Practice and processes
of modern democracy« – next to other (scientific) sources (e.g. ANNEX B »Possible partners«)
41
! with academic/scientific and political background, e.g. Mehr Demokratie e.V., www.mehr-demokratie.de
/ on the EU-level e.g.: www.democracy-international.org
42
! first referendum in Bavaria in 1968 (after 1946), in 2005 Berlin as the last Bundesland joined in /
there are more issues of more democracy – see e.g. www.mehr-demokratie.de : Themen for their priorities
still rather complicated procedures and other obstacles – including too many, too
high quora, constrained themes –"of these, at large still non-binding (not so binding)
instruments of citizens' participation.
43
...AND FEDERATION
An introduction of citizens'/people's initiative and referendum"on the federal
level is currently under discussion in Germany.
44
Even if there is a (general) provision
for referenda
45
in the German Basic Law (federal constitution), in force since May
1949, not a single federal referendum has been held yet.
FEDERALISM, LOCAL AUTONOMY AND RESPONSIBILITY. SOVEREIGNTY
Along with advancing people's participation, a discussion begins of whether
and how to introduce some (more) local autonomy and responsibility (on the level of
countries and communes), to develop Germany's federal system further (more
subsidiarity).
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
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-! ...
‣
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION – FIRST STEPS IN THE EU
On the EU level, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) is the first element(-to-be) of
direct citizens' participation, to be put into force in first quarter of 2012.
A success
46
of a joint effort
47
of European NGOs/CSOs and politicians dating
back to the Laeken Declaration of 2001 and the European Convention of 2002-03.
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
‣
INTEGRITY, OPENNESS, TRANSPARENCY
The issues of integrity, openness and transparency are beginning to find their way
into German politics. The legal base being the freedom of information, anti-
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! »SWISS LAB« – people's initiatives and referenda are (much) more »user friendly« in Switzerland,
with no or low, pragmatic quora, the people's decisions binding and final (i.e. up to the next
changes), on all levels – communal, cantonal and federal (comprising international matters)
44
! see e.g. www.volksentscheid.de, www.mehr-demokratie.de : Themen : Bundesweiter Volksentscheid
45
! Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany /"Grundgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland,
Art."20"(2): Alle Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus. Sie wird vom Volke in Wahlen und Abstimmungen und
durch besondere Organe der Gesetzgebung, der vollziehenden Gewalt und der Rechtsprechung ausgeübt.
46
! even if, in present state, rather a petition to the EU Commission and, as such, complementing the
existing petition to the EU Parliament – for more see e.g. www.citizens-initiative.eu,
www.democracy-international.org, www.ec.europa.eu
– further ideas for more direct democracy/participation on the EU level are e.g. the European
referendum or the New (Democratic) Convention on the Future of Europe – www.democracy-
international.org/erc.html, www.erc2.org, www.democracy-international.org/new-convention.html
47
! »A rollercoaster ride towards democracy – how the European Citizens Initiative found its way into
the EU Constitution«"– see www.democracy-international.org/story.html
corruption (transparency) laws. Yet, as also Transparency International (Germany)
claims, some legislation is not progressing as it could, or should (e.g. financing of
political parties, anti-bribery laws, international conventions).
48
There is still a way to go to more, and then full, openness, public access to
decision making in the parliament, the committees and administration, to official
files and records. Too many areas are restricted, closed even to the representatives.
A better, common, more concrete, yet »simple« understanding of integrity,
openness and transparency issues and their interaction with, impact on governance
is to be developed.
( ... )
★
ACTION & RESEARCH QUESTIONS
-! ...
-! ...
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! for an overview of the actual issues see ANNEX M »Positions of Transparency International Germany«,
further www.transparency.de (Germany), www.transparency.org (international)
