In light of the growing expectations placed on Germany around the world, parties in Parliament wanted to know what ordinary people think about the country’s role in world affairs.
Citizens were then invited to apply to participate in online discussions. In total, 154 people were selected by age, sex, education, ethnic origin and place of residence. As a result, according to the Mehr Demokratie (More Democracy) organization, which organized the discussions, a council was created that “reflected the population of Germany” as accurately as possible.
Citizen council members received detailed information from a panel of more than 40 specialists, outlining the pros and cons of problems and solutions, while providing a basis on which participants could formulate their own. opinions.
Council members were selected by age, sex, education, ethnicity, and place of residence
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Imme Scholz, deputy director of the German Development Institute (DIE) and one of the specialists, said the participants were experts in handling foreign policy affairs. “Citizens are often much more advanced than politicians think,” he says.
Participants like Daniel Betz, a 52-year-old clinical consultant, confirmed Scholz’s analysis. At first, when he received his invitation to participate, he was somewhat intimidated. But after just a few sessions, he noted that “it was great to take in all the information and think about the problems for myself.”
Broad support
Mehr Demokratie found a willing supporter in Wolfgang Schäuble, the speaker of the German Parliament. “I’m excited to find out what ideas the citizens council comes up with,” said Schäuble at the launch of the project in late 2020.
The political leader now has an answer. The citizens’ council concluded that Germany should be more open and assertive in defending its values in the outside world, and most believe that the country should speak louder and clearer about human rights abuses and violations of the rule of law, especially with regard to Turkey and China.
All Mehr Demokratie sessions were held online
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“We want more courage, without worrying too much about day-to-day politics and real life limitations and considerations,” said 17-year-old high school student Elisabeth Grützmacher describing her point of view, shared by many other council members. . “We wanted to promote a different approach and clearer stance,” added Charlotte Volkert, a 35-year-old social worker.
More money for defense?
The most intense discussions and the most diverse opinions focused on the issues of trade and peace and security. The council addressed questions about the transparency of Germany’s economic model or how Germany should identify itself when participating in international peace-support missions.
The case of NATO financing is an example. In response to pressure from the United States in recent years, Germany agreed as a NATO member to dedicate 2 percent of its GDP to defense spending. Some council members thought Germany should keep its word, while others argued that the money would be better spent in UN institutions that are chronically underfunded. The council eventually proposed giving more support to the UN and deducting those expenses from the defense budget.
Elisabeth Grützmacher, 17, was the youngest participant in the group
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The council also considered the suggestion that Germany withdraw entirely from international military missions to focus on civilian tasks. A comparison of military and civilian missions revealed that humanitarian efforts are more likely to lead to peace. However, participants were reluctant to completely reject the military approach, because it would be naive to think that all conflicts can be resolved peacefully.
Ultimately, the council recommended an improvement in the quality of military assets, rather than an increase in the number of military missions. He also proposed that German troops receive more training on local cultures in the places where they are stationed and that the army renounce the use of autonomous weapons such as drones.
Despite some differences, the participants struggled to produce agreements that the majority could support. “The citizens were very practical and respectful of each other,” Scholz said.
“We are testing a true sample of democracy,” Grützmacher said. (rr / dzc)
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