Posted by
AJH on Friday, April 11, 2008 4:09:00 PM
I would like to study social interpretations of race and culture, particularly between Germans and Poles in the 19th century, the ideas of superiority and inferiority, and how this affects relations today.
Prior to the rise of Hitler and Nazism, Otto von Bismarck as a chancellor of the German Empire instituted a program called the Kulturkampf. This is literally interpreted as meaning culture struggle. (It reminds me of Hitler's autobiography titled Mein Kampf, or in English, My Struggle.) Bismarck's programs were preceded by a time of reform and relative tolerance led by Baron vom Stein, who served in the German government for several years. He was appointed by Napoleon only to be fired later.
Recently the president of Poland has had some harsh statements regarding German atrocities during World War II. One of the major goals of European integration is greater tolerance and acceptance of differing attitudes and traditions. The European Union is facing significant challenges including the influx of migrants from the Muslim world.
Polish immigration to the United Kingdom is creating a backlash, resulting in a decrease in the number allowed by the government. Of course, the United States is experiencing similar problems with migrant workers coming from Mexico, and to a lesser degree Asia and Central America.
Solving this problem should be centered on an effort at reconciliation much like that in South Africa and northern Ireland. Ethnic groups must comer together on an individual level, working together in business and other fields while politicians and diplomats work on the nation-state issues such as trade and subsidies.