Some people increasingly stop believing in capitalism in Western Europe; Germany being no exception. They, however, don't stop believing in one of the capitalism's main achievements, the mass consumerism society. They just don't believe this system without changes is capable of delivering on its own promises, of making everyone having more and more as the time passes. On the surface, in Germany, this trend is seen by the creation and electoral successes of the newest Left party, a symbiosis of former East Germany communists and secret police agents and former West Germany left radicals. In less than a years after its birth, it's already part of the political landscape; in some German provinces it has become indispensable for any left-of-the-center coalition. It may destroy the fragile balance on federal level.

Germany is a good example of post-war political consensus over the main capitalist and democratic values, resulting in a liberal economy with some political correctors, and a liberal democracy with some important limitations. The lessons of the period between the two world wars seemed to have been learned well. Up to the 1970s, Germany represents an almost ideal type of West European society, integrating social and political opposition without giving up on the main post-war principles. Since then, however, the post-ward consensus gradually erodes, first with the emergence of the 'greens', and later with the integration of East Germany.

Almost 20 years after the end of the communist experiment in eastern parts of Germany, some people are again tilting toward more radical left alternatives. Ironically enough, the reasons for turning back to the capitalism and everything it brings with it, such as free markets, job insecurity, income disparities, resemble closely to the reasons why people were turning their backs to the communism. This system, let's remind the readers, in its latest version of the 1980s, promised a consumerism paradise on earth, on the condition, of course, of not challenging the political monopoly of the ruling party oligarchy. Today's capitalism, similarly, promised a consumerism paradise on earth with some political rights, on the condition, of course, of not challenging the ultimate economic positions of the ruling class.

The communism failed to deliver on its consumerist promises, and therefore ultimately the people decided to break with the political monopoly; the current capitalism is facing similar challenge of not delivering on its consumerist promises for significant part of society in many West European countries. Among them Germany is particularly vulnerable, because of its strong and deeply rooted anti-capitalist cultural traditions.

The newest and already significant Left party in Germany calls for important restructuring of the capitalism, against economic globalization, and basically against the social 'deal' that promises consumption without limits in exchange for keeping intact the system. It's clear that some reforms would be necessary in Germany. Reforms that will open up again the door for consumption for those currently excluded from the 'paradise'. Yet it remains to be seen what kind of reforms the current federal coalition will undertake.

Germany country profile

• Area: 357,021 sq km
• Population: 82.4 million (July 2007 est.)
• Population growth rate: -0.03% (2007 est.)
• Net migration rate: 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth: 78.95 years
• Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish).
• GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $34,400 (2007 est.)
• Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2007 est.)
• Main trading partners: EU countries, the U.S.A, and China.
• Internet users: 53.2 million (2007 est.)

(Sources: CIA World Factbook 2008; Reuters; DPA)

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