One hears a lot these days about a renaissance of religion, and much about religious fanatics, too. In his most recent essay, Gottes Eifer. Vom Kampf der drei Monotheismen (i.e. the zealous God: on the struggle of the three monotheisms), Peter Sloterdijk, a philosopher and cultural commentator, explores the questions about the sources of the strength of the belief in one God, and what effects it has on its adherents....
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If Germany's conservatives win the coming elections in September they'll be more powerful
than ever before. But what do they actually want? By
Gustav Seibt
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Now that Gerhard Schröder has admitted failure to himself and the rest of the world, German conservatives are being summoned back from political Siberia and pushed into the spotlight. But are they even still alive? By Mariam Lau
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The end of democracy? Philosopher Peter Sloterdijk talks with Marius Meller about French revoltism, British phlegm and Europe's national hallucination chambers.
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A group of German writers have signed a public condemnation against what it sees as dangerously populist sentiments behind the new 'Linkspartei'.
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The Germany that makes the headlines is one of hedge-fund 'locusts' and burgeoning numbers of unemployed. Don't believe the hype: the upcoming German federal elections will be fought out in the middle. But unless the Germans stop expecting to be spoon fed by the state, and get proactive, little will be gained by a change of government. By Paul Nolte
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In response to the French 'no' to the European constitution, France's new Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has proposed a new kind of union between France and Germany. Journalist and historian Gustav Seibt argues that this would be a disaster for Germany and insists that Europe be considered in a broader historical perspective.
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On May 29, France voted in a referendum on the European Constitution. For Andre Glucksmann, it was the victory of Euro-nihilism. German-Iranian writer Navid Kermani explains how it feels to be rejected by Europe. German intellectuals write an open letter to their French neighbours, warning of the disastrous consequences of the "non". Paul Virilio calls the referendum a suicidal absurdity. Jürgen Habermas argues that the Left is deluded in thinking the "non" will serve its interests. And Oliver Eberle emphasises the importance of a lively debate.
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The French no is standing guard on the frontiers of the old European Community. The referendum on the constitution became a retrospective referendum against the enlargement from fifteen to twenty-five member states. Formerly Euro-skeptics, the French who recklessly promoted the no on May 29 have become Euro-nihilists. By Andre Glucksmann
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Both France and the Netherlands have rejected the European Constitution. German-Iranian author Navid Kermani reflects on what this means to him, as someone who wanted to become - or thought he was - a European.
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So cunning is history: The cornerstones of the Berlin Republic – the departure from the social market economy, the rediscovery of war, the mistrust of the state for its citizens, the historicisation of the Holocaust – were laid by the West German 68ers. An attempt by a member of the old German Federal Republic to come to terms with the country he lives in. By Arno Widmann
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The practice of holding a referendum on a subject like the European constitution is suicidal. It is an electoral absurdity that puts in question the political intelligence not only of the French president, but also of his immediate entourage and communication advisers. By Paul Virilio
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The surprising defeat of the SPD in the state elections in North-Rhine Westphalia has set a process in motion that will probably result in new federal leadership in Germany. Writer and comedian Frank Goosen describes in an interview what his fellow Ruhrpotters think about this, if anything at all.
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An open letter to French voters from German intellectuals, artists and academics warns the French public that voting "No" to the EU constitution would mean betraying progress and abandoning the ideals of the Enlightenment.
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To the French naysayers: A Left which aims to tame and civilise capitalism with a "No" to the
European constitution would be deciding for the wrong side at the wrong
time. By Jürgen Habermas
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Turkish society flatly refuses to recognise the atrocities committed against the Armenians. This has catastrophic implications for Turks in Germany. By Zafer Senocak
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