Identity Crisis

Bonn

AS A COUNTRY and a political culture, Germany has been shredded and painfully reassembled within living memory. Indeed, the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, in its Second Edition (1987), defined Germany as “a former country in Central Europe.” That, only seven years later, reads like graffiti from prehistoric days. Such is the transforming force unleashed by the collapse of Communism since 1989. The “former country” has returned with a vengeance, along with all the familiar questions about her identity and self-description.

TK

About the Author

Thomas Kielinger

Bonn

AS A COUNTRY and a political culture, Germany has been shredded and painfully reassembled within living memory. Indeed, the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, in its Second Edition (1987), defined Germany as “a former country in Central Europe.” That, only seven years later, reads like graffiti from prehistoric days. Such is the transforming force unleashed by the collapse of Communism since 1989. The “former country” has returned with a vengeance, along with all the familiar questions about her identity and self-description.