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Freiheit in Deutschland: Wettbewerb der Staaten, Einfluss der Kirche, amerikanisches Erbe – Versuch einer historischen Erklärung – / Freedom in Germany: Interjurisdictional Competition, the Influence of the Church, and the American Heritage – Sketch of a Historical Explanation

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  • Vaubel Roland

Abstract

This essay tries to explain German attitudes towards freedom by historical and geographic factors. If freedom, scientific progress and the industrial revolution in Europe - in short, the “European Miracle” - arose due to political fragmentation and competition among rulers, this “miracle” should have been most spectacular in Germany, Europe’s most fragmented language area. Why was it not? I show that competition among the princes favoured freedom and economic development in Germany as well. But there were other factors special to Germany which counteracted these effects. In the first place, German states were involved in more destructive wars due to their precarious location in the centre of Europe and their lack of natural borders. Moreover, since worldly power was more fragmented, the power of the Church was more pervasive. The Church has an ambivalent attitude towards economic freedom. What distinguishes Germans from their neighbours is, therefore, the deep conflict between the freedom required by external conditions and their moral preferences inherited from the past. After World War II, West Germany imported a number of freedom-enhancing economic policies from the US. My analysis shows that only two of the seven components of this American heritage have been kept unimpaired.

Suggested Citation

  • Vaubel Roland, 2010. "Freiheit in Deutschland: Wettbewerb der Staaten, Einfluss der Kirche, amerikanisches Erbe – Versuch einer historischen Erklärung – / Freedom in Germany: Interjurisdictional Competition, the Influence ," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 61(1), pages 53-74, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:ordojb:v:61:y:2010:i:1:p:53-74:n:6
    DOI: 10.1515/ordo-2010-0106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tanja Hennighausen & Friedrich Heinemann, 2015. "Don't Tax Me? Determinants of Individual Attitudes Toward Progressive Taxation," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 16(3), pages 255-289, August.
    2. Heinemann Friedrich & Bischoff Ivo & Hennighausen Tanja, 2009. "Choosing from the Reform Menu Card – Individual Determinants of Labour Market Policy Preferences," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 229(2-3), pages 180-197, April.
    3. Roland Vaubel, 2008. "The political economy of labor market regulation by the European Union," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 435-465, December.
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    5. Vaubel Roland, 2002. "„Das Wunder der europäischen Musik“ und der Wettbewerb," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 53(1), pages 207-226, January.
    6. Roland Vaubel, 2008. "A History of Thought on Institutional Competition," Chapters, in: Andreas Bergh & Rolf Höijer (ed.), Institutional Competition, chapter 2, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Roland Vaubel, 2010. "The Euro and the German Veto," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 7(1), pages 82-90, January.
    8. Peter Bernholz & Roland Vaubel (ed.), 2004. "Political Competition, Innovation and Growth in the History of Asian Civilizations," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3505.
    9. Roland Vaubel, 2004. "The Future of the Euro: A Public Choice Approach," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 24(1-2), pages 151-161, Spring/Su.
    10. Peter Bernholz & Roland Vaubel, 2004. "Introduction and overview," Chapters, in: Peter Bernholz & Roland Vaubel (ed.), Political Competition, Innovation and Growth in the History of Asian Civilizations, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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