Although similar in many ways, Germany and the United States have significant cultural and societal differences that are indicative of fundamentally different philosophies of governance and order. Germany takes a heavy-handed approach, by regulating every aspect of life with laws and social norms in order to maintain a strict sense of order. The United States, on the other hand, places the responsibility of social order on the individual, emphasizing personal responsibility and freedom over the common good. Together, both their philosophies attempt to address the same theme of organizing a stable society, but their contrasting methods for executing this have resulted in larger cultural implications, ranging from economics, education, friendship,
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In America, bureaucracies are notoriously inefficient and irritating. The TSA is a prime example of this. In Germany, bureaucracies are there to make things run smoother, rather than reducing productivity. In America, the government generally likes taking a minimalistic approach in regulations, not only because it is incredibly inefficient in enforcement, but because most people dislike the idea of overbearing regulation, which reflects on people’s expectations of liberty. Germans are fine with this because it helps maintain order, ensuring that everything is in harmony and “the common good” is served (Nees 38). However, what qualifies as the common good in the United States is very controversial because of the huge variety of opinions everyone has and how divisive American politics can be. For Americans, having absolute unity in manner, opinion, and mindset would be seen as dystopian. Having strict order through high amounts of regulation would never work in America because it physically cannot maintain it. In America, the people are too diverse, the freedoms are too great, the land is too vast for a government to regulate people into an organized and harmonious society with the efficiency of
In America, bureaucracies are notoriously inefficient and irritating. The TSA is a prime example of this. In Germany, bureaucracies are there to make things run smoother, rather than reducing productivity. In America, the government generally likes taking a minimalistic approach in regulations, not only because it is incredibly inefficient in enforcement, but because most people dislike the idea of overbearing regulation, which reflects on people’s expectations of liberty. Germans are fine with this because it helps maintain order, ensuring that everything is in harmony and “the common good” is served (Nees 38). However, what qualifies as the common good in the United States is very controversial because of the huge variety of opinions everyone has and how divisive American politics can be. For Americans, having absolute unity in manner, opinion, and mindset would be seen as dystopian. Having strict order through high amounts of regulation would never work in America because it physically cannot maintain it. In America, the people are too diverse, the freedoms are too great, the land is too vast for a government to regulate people into an organized and harmonious society with the efficiency of