German Foreign Minister: Europe left Socialism Behind 2 Decades Ago

[Ulster-Lad]

The German Foreign Minister in countering US Republican Presidential candidates has claimed that "Europe overcame Socialism 2 decades ago". He made the claims in what he saw as Europe bashing by the candidates that the US was starting to follow the Social Path of Europe.

Thoughts on the matter?

Germany's foreign minister assured Americans Friday that Europe left socialism behind two decades ago, despite statements to the contrary by Republicans on the US presidential campaign trail.

With Republican White House hopefuls telling voters they will prevent America from sinking into a European-type malaise, Guido Westerwelle sought to dispel the notion of a region collapsing on the back of social welfare.

"I beg to differ. First point: We actually overcame socialism in Europe 20 years ago," he said, offering that the United States helped that achievement.

Westerwelle counters US Europe-bashing - The Local

[Toland]

The German word "Sozialismus" has a slightly different nuance to it than "socialism" has for English-speaking Europeans.

The former is associated closely with the old East German communist regime. Not even the ex-communist people in Die Linke use the term in public.

[Ulster-Lad]

The German word "Sozialismus" has a slightly different nuance to it than "socialism" has for English-speaking Europeans.

The former is associated closely with the old East German communist regime. Not even the ex-communist people in Die Linke use the term in public.

Can you expand upon this a bit? The article I cited is in English. I can not find anything linking Guido Westerwelle with the former East Germany.

[realistic1]

The German Foreign Minister in countering US Republican Presidential candidates has claimed that "Europe overcame Socialism 2 decades ago". He made the claims in what he saw as Europe bashing by the candidates that the US was starting to follow the Social Path of Europe.

Thoughts on the matter?


Westerwelle counters US Europe-bashing - The Local

This also applies to the leadership of the Irish Labour party, they have been moving from Socialism since they got involved in politics.

[onlyasking]

The German Foreign Minister in countering US Republican Presidential candidates has claimed that "Europe overcame Socialism 2 decades ago". He made the claims in what he saw as Europe bashing by the candidates that the US was starting to follow the Social Path of Europe.

Thoughts on the matter?



Westerwelle counters US Europe-bashing - The Local

Has the German foreign minister provided a timeframe for overcoming regulation-lite capitalism?

It's not as if it's been a resounding success, unless you're one of the very wealthy free-market fundamentalists who are rubbing their eyes in disbelief at how easy it's been to get the ordinary folk to pick up the tab for their colossal gambling losses.

[Toland]

Can you expand upon this a bit? The article I cited is in English.

I don't really know how to expand on it, but Westerwelle is a German Liberal in government as a junior partner with a Christian Democratic-led coalition.

I'm just saying the word "sozialismus" is almost as pejorative as "socialism" is in the US. It's not the relatively neutral term applied to a set of political ideologies that it is in European English.

"Sozial Demokratie" is the term most often used for the political ideologies of the democratic left in Germany.

"Sozialismus", as interpreted by most Germans, was indeed overcome two decades ago in Germany and Europe.

[Ulster-Lad]

I don't really know how to expand on it, but Westerwelle is a German Liberal in government as a junior partner with a Christian Democratic-led coalition.

I'm just saying the word "sozialismus" is almost as pejorative as "socialism" is in the US. It's not the relatively neutral term applied to a set of political ideologies that it is in European English.

"Sozial Demokratie" is the term most often used for the political ideologies of the democratic left in Germany.

"Sozialismus", as interpreted by most Germans, was indeed overcome two decades ago in Germany and Europe.

I understand that but my point is that article I cited is in a German daily and translated into English version by the German site itself. So I do not understand the ambiguity.

[Toland]

I understand that but my point is that article I cited is in a German daily and translated into English version by the German site itself. So I do not understand the ambiguity.

I'm just saying that Westerwelle very likely simply means that Europe defeated communist one-party-rule two decades ago. Even though the man's a liberal, on this particular statement almost the whole of the German political class probably agrees with him wholeheartedly. For Germans there is absolutely nothing controversial in the statement.

That and Westerwelle's complete sidelining by the coalition and by his party is probably why this is hardly a story at all in Germany.

[Ulster-Lad]

Thanks Toland

[Keith-M]

The German word "Sozialismus" has a slightly different nuance to it than "socialism" has for English-speaking Europeans.

The former is associated closely with the old East German communist regime. Not even the ex-communist people in Die Linke use the term in public.

Agreed "socialism" (like "communism" before it) comes in all shapes and sizes and the definition changes as one crosses boarders. I think Ahern was quite correct in calling himself a "socialist" because of the way the previous government threw money at public services, hand over fist and developed such a progressive (in the economic sense) tax system that the bottom 20% of workers, based on pay, paid no tax.