Lectures and Essays I by Reinhard Mohn

Author:Reinhard Mohn [Mohn, Reinhard]
Language: deu
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, General
ISBN: 9783867932912
Google: tL94DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung
Published: 2010-12-10T03:57:59+00:00

An assessment of Germany’s state administration

The nature of my position quite frequently causes me to travel to other countries. We must also take a look at the political and administrative relations there, as well, by way of comparison. In doing so, it has become clear to me that it would be unfair and inappropriate to assess our state administration and civil servants only critically. On the contrary, I can confirm from my experience that more and more reliability and correctness is to be found in Germany than in most other foreign nations. Here, the tradition and ethical attitude of our civil servants and our state administration have led us to notable results. I would like to therefore add a word of thanks to my critical remarks as well as to acknowledge the contributions they make.

Still, we must all recognize that new tasks are being placed before us. We must grasp that these tasks cannot only be dealt with in the sense of more traditional virtues, such as doing your job right and doing all that you are supposed to do. This now also concerns our state’s method of working for reform and for the formation of an order system pursuant to more progressive and democratic principles. Our nation must learn to work efficiently and to be open to creativity and evolution. Indeed, it is clear to me that such a demand is uncomfortable both for leading politicians as well as for all civil servants involved with the enforcement of state regulations. Giving up traditional habits is always laborious and unpleasant. But we must gather ourselves up in order to seize the initiative and jointly put this evolution process into gear. From my experience, allow me to tell you that such efforts are worth the trouble. It will not only produce better results for the state and make the citizens more appreciative; but, by assuming more responsibility, you will yourself experience an elating feeling of self-realization. In this way, efficient performance is successfully combined with a meaningful, politically valued, humane satisfaction. -However, do not underestimate the dimensions and opportunities of this process. Don’t let yourself get unduly depressed by the fact that the problems of our times-such as the energy crisis, military threats, unemployment, and economic stagnation-have shaken many people’s faith in progress and a better future. Such judgments fail to recognize the enormous potential we can release if we, within our democratic objectives, bring the power of the individual into this development. This task is worth tackling. Such a path would lead us to a more stable and humane world.

So, in conclusion, allow me to direct a plea to all of you who work within our state apparatus, that you understand your task as true democrats. We are all responsible for improving and further developing conditions in our society. We want to make an effort to open as much room to maneuver as possible for the individual to find self-realization. But, at the same time, we want to recognize that we are all mutually responsible for one another.

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