Preface

Germans who strongly criticised the American government were nevertheless willing to learn from American role models in US society, education and music. Germany was focused on the East–West conflict in Europe after World War II. Its overall policies in other regions of the world were influenced by this worldview. The political cultures of Germany and the US have changed: The debates in the US have become more polarised, while Germany has developed a high degree of consensus on many societal and foreign policy issues. The experience of immigration connects Germany with the United States, even though the type of immigration differs. During the 1950s the American culture was a ‘role model’ for the majority of West Germans. Germans feel more and more alienated when they read report sonpolitical discussions in the US. Once, the political parties and debates in the US were regarded as pragmatic and characterised by the ability to find consensus.