Your knowledge of the German scene is basically right. The estimation of the English fluency depends on too many factors. Another way of envisioning this question is noting that ALL German pupils are taught English for at least five years before leaving school. (Exceptions to this rule are below one per cent now). But as we also have analphabetics leaving school despite the school plans, we shouldn't assume that the proficiency of English reflects this schooling efforts.
The way that the GDR handled NAZI history may be one example of the big gap of the politicians' actions and the thoughts of the population. The GDR had professional writers, actors, musicians etc. directly paid by the state and adressed in political speeches as "die Kulturschaffenden" (creators of culture). They were bound to "socialistic realism" and had to work on politically "relevant" topics. Surely NAZIs were somehow dealt with in literature and films. But on the other hand this remained shadowy, irrelevant for a big part of the population, very much like you stated.
You seem to be too optimistic on the Western German progress in NAZI crime understanding. Yes, it is true, many things have been said and done, and surely there is some effect. And incrimination of NAZI symbols and the public stating of certain (neo)-NAZI ideology keypoints also has had a strong effect. I think in Western Germany there is nobody who has never been touched by a need of self-reflection about the question of personal and collective guilt.
On the other hand, it is still not very widely accepted, that in post WWII-Germany also some cover up happened. After all, many NAZI criminals, even high ranking, have gained very responsible positions in post war Western Germany. The most prominent example may be Dr. Globke, top aidee ("grey eminence") of Chancellor Adenauer, who had signed responsible for the Comment on the Nuremberg Racial Laws. But he is not a singular case, rather he is typical of responsible positions both in state and industry management.
Those people of course were networked in their own way making intrusion difficult, control impossible. And it opened them a way to seize a hidden control of processes shaping the new republic.
Quite sure all that was known to you.
It hurts me somehow that history was just a story retold after the end of the GDR. Of course some top politicians were brought to court. But those who are as well responsible for the working of that unlawful and sometimes bloody state, by taking care of their neighbor-spying work, as unlawful judges in court, and so on, are basically not accessible to be held responsible. Nor do they feel they would deserve it.
Regards, MNI. |
