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Western Germany more socially cohesive than east, study finds Western Germany more socially cohesive than east, study finds
(35 minutes later)
Twenty-five years after reunification, Germany's western regions have a considerably stronger community spirit than those in the former east, a new study suggests. Researchers of the Bertelsmann Foundation, a liberal thinktank, found that while Germany as a whole has become more socially cohesive, distrust amongst citizens was on average higher in the former GDR. Twenty-five years after reunification, Germany's western regions have a considerably stronger community spirit than those in the former east, a study suggests. Researchers at the Bertelsmann Foundation, a liberal thinktank, found that while Germany as a whole had become more socially cohesive, distrust among citizens was on average higher in the former GDR.
The research, carried out by a team of academics from Jacob University in Bremen, tries to measure community spirit by considering 31 factors, including voter turnout, voluntary engagement and trust in institutions, as well as tolerance towards ethnic minorities and homosexuality. The research, carried out by a team of academics from Jacob University in Bremen, measures community spirit by considering 31 factors, including voter turnout, voluntary engagement and trust in institutions, as well as tolerance towards ethnic minorities and homosexuality.
Hamburg, Germany's second largest city, emerges at the top of the thinktank's "social coherence index", followed by the Baden-Württemberg, Saarland regions and Bremen. The five regions that used to make up the GDR – Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – all appear in the bottom half of the index. Berlin, the capital, comes 8th out of 16 regions. Hamburg, Germany's second largest city, emerges at the top of the thinktank's "social coherence index", followed by the Baden-Württemberg, Saarland regions and Bremen. The five regions that used to make up the GDR – Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – appear in the bottom half of the index. Berlin, the capital, comes eighth out of 16 regions.
"The gulf between east and west is currently even wider than it was immediately after German reunification," wrote the researchers."The gulf between east and west is currently even wider than it was immediately after German reunification," wrote the researchers.
The study said Germans in the eastern half of the country were noticeably more critical of the distribution of wealth. Only every fifth citizen felt that they were getting their fair share of the national wealth – rates almost as low as those immediately after reunification. The study said Germans in the eastern half of the country were noticeably more critical of the distribution of wealth. Only every fifth citizen felt that they were getting their fair share of the national wealth – rates almost as low as immediately after reunification.
Acceptance of homosexuality has grown since the 1990s across the country, with more people even in traditionally Catholic Bavaria agreeing that gay and lesbian people should lead their lives as they wish.Acceptance of homosexuality has grown since the 1990s across the country, with more people even in traditionally Catholic Bavaria agreeing that gay and lesbian people should lead their lives as they wish.
However, over the last 25 years Germans have become less accepting of ethnic minorities who pursue traditional lifestyles, with fewer citizens agreeing that "immigrants add to the cultural life in Germany". However, over the past 25 years Germans have become less accepting of ethnic minorities who pursue traditional lifestyles, with fewer citizens agreeing that "immigrants add to the cultural life in Germany".
The authors of the report point out that community spirit is often strongest in regions with a high percentage of immigrants, such as Hamburg, Bremen and Baden-Württemberg. "Where you get more diversity, people are more likely to respect it," said Kai Unzicker of the Bertelsmann Foundation.The authors of the report point out that community spirit is often strongest in regions with a high percentage of immigrants, such as Hamburg, Bremen and Baden-Württemberg. "Where you get more diversity, people are more likely to respect it," said Kai Unzicker of the Bertelsmann Foundation.
In 2013, the same research team published a study showing that Germany ranked relatively low on a global index in terms of its acceptance of social diversity, behind Australia, the Scandinavian countries and North America.In 2013, the same research team published a study showing that Germany ranked relatively low on a global index in terms of its acceptance of social diversity, behind Australia, the Scandinavian countries and North America.