Overall, most Germans view Asia’s development as positive for their own country. At the same time, they are concerned about the impact Asia’s growth is having on the German labor market.
One in two of the survey’s respondents feels Asia’s economic rise is an opportunity, with 39 percent saying it is a threat. Even more – four out of five – are confident that Germany will be able to overcome the political and economic challenges resulting from Asia’s ascendance; only 15 percent fear that Germany will not be able to “master” those challenges. This confidence apparently stems from the high level of trust that Germans have in the technological edge their country enjoys over Asia. Of those queried, 71 percent say it is likely or very likely that Germany will retain its leading position in research and development, even over the long term.
Conversely, the impact of Asia’s “economic miracle” on the German labor market is mostly seen as negative, with 42 percent saying they believe Asia’s economic rise will result in fewer jobs in Germany. Only slightly more than one-quarter believe Asia’s ongoing development will increase employment in Germany.
In terms of responding politically to the developments in Asia, Germans prefer cooperation to confrontation. A plurality of 41 percent feels Germany’s current political course to be the right one and therefore wants to see it maintained, while 37 percent would like to see a greater degree of cooperation. Only 18 percent feel Germany must do more to defend its interests vis-à-vis Asia, thereby following the example set by the United States.
When it comes to Asia’s political and social development, Germans are skeptical. Despite the region’s booming economy, most of the survey’s respondents do not feel social conditions will improve or that Asians will experience greater levels of political participation. Almost two-thirds feel it is unlikely or even inconceivable that policymakers in Asia will do more to ensure social justice. Almost as many are doubtful that in the long run Asia’s economic growth will result in a more just distribution of wealth worldwide.
Most Germans – 52 percent – also do not believe that the region will experience greater levels of democracy because of its growing prosperity, compared to 46 percent who do. Significantly fewer expect that a more prosperous Asia will do as much to protect the environment and climate as Germany.
For Aart De Geus, chairman and CEO of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the survey’s findings reflect the global changes that have taken place in recent years. “Germans have an open view of the world. They look to Asia with a combination of amazement, respect and concern for their own future,” he says.
At the same time, Germans view what is happening in Asia pragmatically and realistically, clearly differentiating among the region’s major nations. While Europe remains in crisis, China in particular is seen as an economic giant with ambitions for becoming a world power. As for economic issues, people in Germany believe the People’s Republic is more a rival than a partner, with 73 percent saying China is a competitor for natural resources and energy, and 72 percent saying China is a competitor when it comes to developing new, innovative products. Only then do Germans see China as an important export market for German products, with 69 percent saying the country plays an important or very important role in this regard. Among Asian states, China is also seen as the best partner for helping indebted European countries.
In contrast, Japan, once a leading economic power, has lost standing in the eyes of Germans, especially following the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima. Only when it comes to combating climate change do the survey’s respondents view Japan as playing a significantly greater role than China. In terms of developing new, innovative products, the Japanese, once feared for their ability to innovate, are now seen as being almost equal to the Chinese. At the same time, Germans feel India is even less important for Germany than China or Japan, with India failing to top either of the other two nations in any of the areas examined in the survey.
When it comes to the political sphere, Germans have pragmatic rather than dogmatic attitudes toward Asia. For example, 62 percent believe that China, a communist nation, is an important or very important partner for Germany politically, while only 59 and 35 percent feel this is true of democratic nations Japan and India, respectively.