Just got her book, and am eager to read it. Despite the shortcomings which all leaders have, Merkel was a brilliant woman leader who outshone men, and I don't think anyone ran rings around her. Thanks for the write-up, Timothy, and for your wonderful ability to connect the past with the present.
A wonderful piece but I had hoped for a discussion of Merkel's constant deference to her finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble in the crucial years of 2009 to 2017 (cf. Adam Tooze, Crashed, 2018). How did Merkel's upbringing in the DDR affect her thoughts on economics, industry, and political economy? Arguably, Schäuble was more instrumental in setting foreign policy in the wake of 2008 and partly domestic policy as well, including the decision to admit the historically most-educated and middle-class "wave" of immigrants (Syrian and otherwise) into German industry under private lobbying to that end. Merkel clearly didn't shrink from confrontation and outmaneuvering the grandees of the CDU-CSU except in this signal case: why?
Thank you for the insightful piece. This plus many others I've read/heard of late bolster my long-held hunch (having lived in DE for more than a decade) that no one in leadership is willing to soul search and make hard decisions to create change. As you said, Merkel coasted on easy security and cheap gas. Today's leaders lament the external shocks instead of realizing that DE contributed to those shocks (esp. the loss of Russian gas). I can't imagine what will wake them up if Ukraine hasn't (which you also mention).
Just got her book, and am eager to read it. Despite the shortcomings which all leaders have, Merkel was a brilliant woman leader who outshone men, and I don't think anyone ran rings around her. Thanks for the write-up, Timothy, and for your wonderful ability to connect the past with the present.
A wonderful piece but I had hoped for a discussion of Merkel's constant deference to her finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble in the crucial years of 2009 to 2017 (cf. Adam Tooze, Crashed, 2018). How did Merkel's upbringing in the DDR affect her thoughts on economics, industry, and political economy? Arguably, Schäuble was more instrumental in setting foreign policy in the wake of 2008 and partly domestic policy as well, including the decision to admit the historically most-educated and middle-class "wave" of immigrants (Syrian and otherwise) into German industry under private lobbying to that end. Merkel clearly didn't shrink from confrontation and outmaneuvering the grandees of the CDU-CSU except in this signal case: why?
I had been looking forward to your take on "Freedom", and you didn't disappoint...! 👍
Thank you for the insightful piece. This plus many others I've read/heard of late bolster my long-held hunch (having lived in DE for more than a decade) that no one in leadership is willing to soul search and make hard decisions to create change. As you said, Merkel coasted on easy security and cheap gas. Today's leaders lament the external shocks instead of realizing that DE contributed to those shocks (esp. the loss of Russian gas). I can't imagine what will wake them up if Ukraine hasn't (which you also mention).
Indeed a wonderful, insightful piece with the ring of truth.
She was a very interesting Leader and did many good things. Thanks for sharing your reflections.