Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Climate Change and Environmental Issues Germany funds new coal burners

Germany was once a strong yet evil country. Then it was weak but good. Today it's both strong and good, making the innate caution of its leaders more important than ever....Compared to the United States – a strong but often unscrupulous country – Germany in the past was long seen as weak but overly moralistic. America waged war around the world...while Germany appealed to the world’s only superpower to protect the climate and give terrorists a fair trial.

But now that relationship has changed. The United States has become weaker, but is still fairly ruthless. Germany is stronger, but still extremely prone to high-minded moralizing – even while considering the sale of hundreds of tanks to Saudi Arabia. Can this new balance hold?

Germany's position has also shifted within Europe. There's an unspoken but clearly discernible belief in German politics now: "We're a major player, and we're good!"

To name one example, hardly any other country has dealt with the recent financial and economic crisis as well as Germany. The economy is booming, unemployment is sinking, and tax revenue is filling government coffers. Germany was proved right not to bow to American pressure for more stimulus packages, and the governments in Washington, London, Paris and Madrid now look to Berlin with a mixture of envy and admiration.

Strong and evil – that was Germany's image in its dark past. Weak and good – that is the Germany the world has known for the past 40 years. But strong and good – that is the new Germany that many neighbours and allies still have to get used to. Power and moral superiority – that can be an extremely annoying combination.