The German paradox
by Norbert WalterIn the last century and for the first third of the twentieth century, Berlin used to be a global metroplis - a magnet for the arts, business, finance and ideas for Central Europe and beyond. Almost a decade after the Wall came down, Berlin is still struggling to recover the Berliner Luft - the special Berlin atmosphere that made it exciting and urbane.
To paraphrase George Bush, it has become clear that bringing Berlin back as an international metropolis is based more on the size of German wallets than on the strength of their will.
For example, few people in other cities are willing to make a leap of faith and come here. Even politicians and bureaucrats seem to comfortable in cozy Bonn.
German corporations don't see the need to move their headquarters. Banking will stay in Frankfurt, industry in Düsseldorf and insurance in Munich.
When it was surrounded by the Wall, we always talked of Berlin as an outpost. Now, we know that it pretty much still is one, at least if compared to its past glory.
Should we therefore start sulking and fall into angst in time - honored German fashion?
I don't think so.
Fortunately, I can say that as goes Berlin, so goes the nation. Berlin is not the only thing in Germany that needs re-invigoration. All of Germany needs it.
We Germans need a creative outburst....a willingness to shake things up...readiness to take risks. This is true everywhere - government, business, the economy, just about everything needs a good house-cleaning.
And that is precisely the area where my own unshakable faith in the vigor and vitality of Berliners kicks in. They have always shown a knack for creativity, independence and - to borrow a phrase from you - the rigorous pursuit of happiness. Emperors, dictators and democrats - all of them - find Berliners to be contrary and individualistic.
It's time for Berliners to display those old attributes again. So help their city to live up to its well-justified aspirations... and help the entire country to re-invent itself.
If it can, Berlin can combine the international political importance of a Washington with the flair, culture and intensity of a Manhattan.
Norbert Walter is chief economist of Deutsche Bank Group, Germany's biggest financial institution.
