Since the early 1930’s, Germany had been
an industrialized state. Machine tools
were already at an advanced stage of
application and the manufacture of
technical products and their exports
ruled the world.
Had Adolf Hitler not misled Germany with
his satanic mission from 1939-1945, the
Germans would have gone very far in
science and technology. They are simply
the best in most things. I know.
After a hectic revival and
re-construction efforts from 1950-1975,
the Germans re-established themselves
and even overtook many states that did
not suffer the effects of the 2nd World
War.
The German societal development is
intrinsically linked to their rigorous
and solid education system, which is
indisputably the best in the world. It
teaches hard work, thoroughness,
responsibility as a national ethos,
uprightness, the power of shame and
strict upbringing as a form of national
consciousness.
The German society is well-ordered and
self-regulatory. The law bites. The
judiciary is populated by jurists, with
intellectual backgrounds that create in
the jurist the awareness that he must
maintain the highest juridical and
ethical standards in his duties to the
fatherland.
The German legal system is one of the
most advanced legal systems in the
world. One must define every concept,
every word in order to make for clarity
and precise expressions are a must in
judicial proceedings and procedures.
Germany is a society based on the rule
of law. As a result, there is social
order in governance and in business
conduct.
Unfortunately, Germany is also affected
by the down-turn in the global economy.
Die fetten jahren Sind vorbei! In the
1960’s Germany agreed to integration
with the world economy, a strategy she
considered wise in order to foster its
trade in goods as well as other areas of
foreign trade viz services,
free-of-charge transfers and long term
capital transactions.
In the 1970’s, the Foreign Trade Act
defined the parameters for its national,
domestic policy and this accelerated
Germany’s commercial relations with
other members of the European Community.
The industrial sector was very vibrant
and competitive, especially the
automobile production nexus, machine
tools and the aviation industry.
The successful end of the phase of
re-construction led to the phase of
consolidation and the economic structure
of Germany promoted consumer habits,
stronger integration with Europe and its
international trade.
The dexterity, competence and mastery,
which Dr (Mrs.) Angela Merkel has
brought to bear on the German economy
and the European financial system, are
based on knowledge, insight and
assiduous application of trained
intellect.
She holds a Doctorate degree in Physics
and has been an ardent member of the
Christian Democratic Party. She learned
from the master politician and former
Chancellor of Germany, Dr Helmut Kohl.
This is how it should be. To emerge from
latent obscurity into sudden light, does
not give one the required experience in
statecraft.
Merkel and Sarkozy have demonstrated
that intelligence, deep learning and
exposure to governance over years is a
sine qua non to a mastery of what
government is all about. Both of them
have tried hard to find solutions to the
festering European financial crisis and
they do not rely on hired brains to do
the job of transformation and revival.
In Brissels, Merkel spoke with candour
during the European Summit, which took
place on December 8, 2011. She called
for European unity, cooperation and
extensive consultations among European
leaders.
She pointed out that there was need to
review all the European legal
instruments that regulate European life.
Some of the provisions of European
treaties like the European Coal and
Steel Community, the Council of Europe
and some bilateral and multilateral
treaties had earlier been reviewed.
The EU Constitution had suffered
set-backs when France and the
Netherlands rejected the Constitution.
Happily, France, under Sarkozy is an
ardent advocate of European Union.
Pundits still argue that the EU
Constitution is cumbersome and strange
to some European states that guard their
sovereignty jealously. Britain requested
protection for British monetary regime.
There was no agreement on a new EU
treaty. President Nicholas Sarkozy
blamed that failure on the British Prime
Minister, David Cameron. Britain will
lose a lot of money if the euro fails.
Protecting British interests and the
wider interest of the European Union
seem hard to reconcile. The prospect of
the EU monitoring national budgets is
hard to fathom. The sanctions on erring
bank directors will be tightened to
guarantee more prudence in the banking
sector.
In 2004, the EU Constitution was
approved by European states. The aim of
the European Union is to operate a
continental union of European states.
The EU Constitution is an ambitious
document that purports to define
politically agreeable norms as binding
laws, virtually overriding national
constitutions. This jolted Britain and
the Netherlands, which saw this as a
challenge to their sovereignty. An
attempt to evolve a new EU treaty that
would further encroach on national
preferences is fraught with
impossibilities.
The history of European institutions
that have assisted Europe to gain
acceleration and progress are the
European Common Market, which helped to
unify and shape agricultural policies.
The Council of Europe played a good role
in forging European integration; the
European Court of Human Rights has been
very instrumental in the defence of
human rights in Europe and helped to
shape human rights consciousness in the
world. One of its first cases was
LAWLESSVTHE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND and the
Belgian Linguistic cases. The European
Coal and Steel Community laid down the
regulatory rules for that important
trade.
The existing European Parliament and the
European Commission have functioned very
well. European life is based on
democracy and expediency and has
impacted tremendously on East European
states that were in the Soviet Union. We
now see periodic elections in those
states based on popular democracy. It is
in the sphere of the economy that
confusion and discordant voices are loud
and clear.
European Parliamentarians in Brussels
are empowered to legislate on behalf of
European states. This apparent transfer
of sovereignty to Brussels is looked
upon with apprehension and reservation
by European monarchies.
A further and better re-organisation of
the European society should be based on
the present European Union arrangement,
with some modifications aimed at
regulating the activities of the
financial institutions, social justice
systems, setting up a network of jurists
and social workers to cater for the
growing number of poor people In Greece
and elsewhere, suicide rates are
mounting.
It unEuropean to discuss monetary
issues, while the social justice system
is howling for immediate redress. The
new legal framework must reflect Europe
as it is today, not as it was from
1960-89.
In Europe, there are those, who clamour
on how Europe can do business better.
Some rely on accurate definitions and
correct data. Some are in search of a
quick fix. There are famous political
thinkers, who still propagate political
theories, long exploded by the realities
of our contemporary world. There are
also those with deep thoughts, who find
it difficult to break the ice of dogma.
It was such a dilemma that led to the
collapse of the then Soviet Union Where
states come together for a common cause,
be it political, social, economic or all
of the above, there is usually no
guarantee that when the glue that bonded
them together melts they will not fall
apart. The collapse of the Soviet Union
(not communism) caused an unexpected
influx of both skilled and unskilled
labour which overwhelmed the Western
European society.
Employment problems cropped up as East
Europeans accepted lower wages, thereby
throwing the West Europeans into the job
market.
Since European companies had outsourced
their businesses to China, India and
elsewhere, the liquidity flow of finance
became disrupted and European
governments embarked on a borrowing
spree.
Although China had wanted to enlist in
the WTO much earlier, her entry suffered
set-backs from European states, who
harped on issues like human rights and
religious freedoms. In celebrating her
ten years as a member of the WTO, one
can discern how China stooped to
conquer.
If China, a socialist state can adopt
the policy of economic cooperation with
capitalist states of the West, one
wonders why Britain could not find
accommodation with twenty-three other EU
states.
China used her WTO membership to forged
meaningful economic relations with
Europe. She expanded her international
economic relations; trade relations,
strengthened her currency and paved the
way for cooperation with foreign
business partners.
China opened her door to those states
that wanted to borrow funds from her.
All these developments impacted on her
human rights practice
Chinese financial regulations had to
tally with international standards. She
drafted new laws in the fields of
contract and business law regulations.
She imposed very stringent discipline in
the management of its sovereign affairs.
In defiance of the fact that the West
did not seem to knowledge Chinese modest
efforts at social change, the state has
continued to improve its statecraft. The
ideological propaganda of the 1970’s has
no more appeal as the Chinese have
demonstrated resilience, dexterity and
somber ingenuity.
The welfare of Chinese continues to
improve in all spheres, in spite of
occasional terrible weather conditions.
Since 2005, Germany and China lent funds
to states in need. As the repayment
schedules were no longer respected as a
result of dwindling financial capacity,
China and Germany, reviewed their
lending policies.
In Euro-American states, when the
sources of lending dried up, there was a
seismic wave in the Euro-American
economy that could no longer compete
with the BRICS states.
Unfortunately, European and American
commentators speak tongue-in-cheek, when
they analyze the down-turn in their
economies. Some blame China for its
successful trade with African nations.
However, this criticism has done little
to stop the blazing economic
cooperation, between China and Africa.
The European press is largely
responsible for keeping European
business houses uninformed about the
myriads of investment opportunities that
abound in Africa.
Derogatory reports in the spirit of the
TARZAN and KING KONG stories still hold
the aces among Europeans, but those, who
have looked at modern evidence, see
prospects in every square mile of
African soil. The Chinese do and should
invest more in those sectors that
require capital intensive attention.
Western commentators on Africa choose to
interview drummers, singers of hip hop
music, burnt-out artists, who mimic
American artists and anyone, who has a
weird story to tell. They waste valuable
television time, discussing inane
subjects, making jokes that embarrass
decent people, all in the name of
freedom, while serious societal matters
remain unaddressed.
They often ignore or do not point out
the disastrous consequences of sticking
to the old capitalist system, whose
theories can no longer fit into the
globalization era, the information
technology era and the era of wars
without end, which have drain their
economies inexorably.
G8, G20 meetings have failed to proffer
lasting solutions, since these meetings
exclude emerging economies, whose
presence, would have assisted in finding
ways forward.
Germany had spare-headed the rescue of
European states in dire financial
straits like Greece, Spain, Portugal,
Iceland and Italy. However, Angela
Merkel’s mission was made impossible by
grumbling Germans, who do not see the
rationale for helping Greeks, who are
garrulous, enjoy feasts and good
holidays, while the Germans take their
“arbeit stunden” very seriously. “Es
geht doch nicht”, the Germans argue.
“Die Grechen mussen lernen wie man
tuchtig arbeiten muss.”
“Die lange Marsh der Merkel”is just
beginning. The Germans may wish to
support her politics both domestic and
European. From all indications, it is
Europe not Merkel that is responsible
for the state of European affairs.
The British tend to see Europe from
afar. A close, fraternal association
could bridge the gap and consolidate
European co-operation. After the British
Prime Minister stated his position in
Brussels, opinion is divided in Britain
how far conservatism can prevent British
isolation from a majority of European
states that have decided to forge on
without Britain.
On December 6, 2011, the US Treasury
Secretary, Geithner visited Germany and
met with both the Central Bank Governor
and the German Minister of Finance.
The US Secretary was visibly worried
about the intractable nature of the
parlous state of European finances. He
later moved over to Paris, to consult
with President Nicolas Sarkozy. Geither
later expressed optimism that the
Europeans will overcome their
difficulties.
Ireland announced its strategies to deal
with its financial situation. These
appear limited in scope. The economies
of South East Asia have also slowed down
and Hong Kong’s economy has weakened,
but some Asian economists have argued
that their economies are adjusting to
the reforms that are on-going and there
was no cause for alarm.
Brazil has cut its interest rate to
enhance growth, after the Labour
Minister left the cabinet. Citi Bank
announced on December 7, 2011, that it
would lay off many of its workmen. The
capitalist economy is facing many
challenges that seem to defy immediate
solutions.
Western economic theory is part and
parcel of Western socio-cultural
tradition. Its entire style of discourse
seems to be changing. It is interesting
to note that the Greeks, who in the 5th
century BC developed “the philosophic
style of during the Golden Age of Athens
and of Pericles”, which influenced
European civilization, are today
factious and incapable of putting their
acts together.
It is now obvious that European
civilization was not based solely on
philosophical ideas, but also, by
conquest, war booties, slave trade,
colonialism and imperialism. When these
primitive wealth accumulation systems
disappeared, the welfare of Old Europe
began to crumble.
This process was accelerated by the rise
of China, Russia, India, Brazil and
South Africa. The emergence of a
multi-polar world, posed new challenges
to the economies of Europe and America.
There have emerged new institutions like
information technology, social media,
which have galvanized social classes,
with revolutionary ideals. Governments
are now confronted with the
revolutionary antics of political
mal-contents world-wide. This seems to
have put enormous pressures on
governments to perform.
Western pundits complicate matters by
their very subjective musings, which
pass for intellectual analysis.
Standard and Poors has hinted that some
more European states may face a credit
downgrade. This had a severe
psychological effect on the EURO SUMMIT
that was long on words and short on
positive measures to save the Euro from
collapse.
The EU Summit did not achieve its set
objectives as a result of the British
NIET. David Cameron’s emotional
intelligence was in full display.
However, long after the ovation dies
down at the Conservative Party
headquarters, Britain must invent new
ways to avoid its complete isolation
from Europe.” A stitch in time saves
nine”
The City of London, where the money of
the world resides is not interested in
geo-political tantrums but in the rate
at which liquidity flows into its
bulging coffers.
To narrate the impact of the state of
European finances on social humans is a
gory story In Lancaster; a former Police
Inspector killed his wife and a seven
year old daughter out of desperation.
Some students have had to drop out or
will eventually do so because of a hike
in fees. In Italy, Greece, Spain and
elsewhere in Europe the going is tough
but even the tough can no longer get
going.
Amidst these interlocking and gnawing
circles of misery, the Australian
Foreign Minister brought good news about
the positive growth in the Australian
economy, which attests to the dexterity
of the Australian Prime Minister,
Gillard, who always affirms her
determination to move Australia forward.
The announcement that America and
Germany have banned prayers when they
need prayers most seems to ignore the
fact that the absence of GOD is the
absence of good. There is need to atone
for conquest, ingenuity and catastrophe.
This policy of not accepting God must be
reversed otherwise, “Die Berliner Luft
kann nicht rein sein.”Germany is no
longer very concerned with “Probleme der
Entwicklungslander”.
In der Europaischen politische
zusamenarbeit findet man unglaublischen
probleme die ganz gross geworden sein.
In der post-krises zeit, muss Europa
genau sagen was sie gemacht haben mochte.
Dem Deutsche Genossen, Ich sage sein
tapfer aber glaube im Gott ist wichtig
fur das leben!
This is a poetic, folksy and rutting
season for mankind. We need God’s grace
and benevolence NOW, not blasphemy.”
Something more than gold, something more
than gold, when God is in the heart of
man, it is something more than gold”
It would seem that Nigeria is being
asked by the US and others why she
passed a law against same sex marriage?
The Federal Government of Nigeria is
reported to be asserting its
independence and sovereignty in refusing
to accept unsavory dictations from afar.
Octopus diplomacy clings to friends and
power politics diplomacy does not permit
allies to think for themselves. When we
rushed to support the action against
Muamar Kaddafi, the only Arab leader
that did quite a lot for African
nations, some states did not like our
Palestinian vote. We are being put under
all sorts of “ICHO-OKWU” diplomacy by
“ndi ochi mara”, “ndi ogo mmuo”.
It is dangerous to hunt with the hounds
and run with the hare. This has been the
kern of my critique of our foreign
relations. We need to be more shrewd and
sophisticated.
I will illustrate “ICHO-OKWU” diplomacy
with this well-known story. A lamb was
drinking water from the downhill of a
stream and a lion was drinking from the
higher ground. The lion belched out to
the lamb, “Why are you mucking up the
water that I am drinking?”The lamb said,
but you are drinking from where the
water flows down to me. Then the lion
said, ah! You were the lamb that
insulted me six months ago. The lamb
said that six months ago, she had not
been born. The lion ate the lamb.
We shall soon be prohibited from saying
prayers! Little drops of provocation
could have consequences. Are we thinking
of the coming social dislocation, when
the European financial melt-down spills
over?
At BOSAS INTERNATIONAL LAW BUREAU, the
Curatorium (in lighter mood), requested
the US Congress to pass, with speed, a
law legalizing polygamy!
All the daughters of the FIRST EVE will
find husbands. Brother Cain can then get
back on his blazing campaign trail!
When the Roman world was collapsing, a
Roman thinker, Plotinus, admonished his
Roman compatriots thus:
“Mortify the body; deny self, affections
as well as appetites and the inner eye
will begin to exercise its clear and
solemn vision”.
Professor Dr. Emmanuel Omoh Esiemokhai,
a Writer and Academic from ADACHI
KINGDOM, is the Academic Chancellor,
BOSAS INTERNATIONAL LAW BUREAU, FUGAR/ABUJA,
Nigeria.
This essay is dedicated to the late
Mr.L.T MAO, a former First Secretary in
the Taiwanese Trade Mission in Abuja,
Nigeria.
Published
December 14th, 2011
