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The bailout crisis: why Greece is content to put the blame on Germany	The bailout crisis: why Greece is content to put the blame on Germany
2015-03-22 00:25:45 UTC	2015-03-22 01:00:39 UTC (35 minutes later)
Never have Greek-German relations been as bad as they are today. The image of the heartless, cold and disciplinarian Germans hovers over Greece – while in Germany the talk is of the lazy, greedy and spendthrift Greeks who milk the German taxpayer.	Never have Greek-German relations been as bad as they are today. The image of the heartless, cold and disciplinarian Germans hovers over Greece – while in Germany the talk is of the lazy, greedy and spendthrift Greeks who milk the German taxpayer.
Traditionally Germans have been the most ardent admirers of ancient Greece. German art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717-1768) was the first to depict the Greek antiquity as an ideal of otherworldly perfection. The classical image of Greeks as tall, blond Aryans was his invention. He influenced poets from Goethe and Hölderlin to Byron and the entire romantic 19th century. Greece owes its liberation from the Turks to the fact that public opinion in all of Europe was on its side.	Traditionally Germans have been the most ardent admirers of ancient Greece. German art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717-1768) was the first to depict the Greek antiquity as an ideal of otherworldly perfection. The classical image of Greeks as tall, blond Aryans was his invention. He influenced poets from Goethe and Hölderlin to Byron and the entire romantic 19th century. Greece owes its liberation from the Turks to the fact that public opinion in all of Europe was on its side.
	Related: The bailout crisis: Germany’s view of how Greece fell from grace
The first king of Greece was a German: Otto, prince of Bavaria. His father, Ludwig, was so passionate about Greek antiquity that he transformed his capital, Munich, into an “Athens of the North”. Otto came to Greece with an army of German professors who tried to Europeanise the country – with limited success. German archaeologists excavated some of the most famous Greek sites (Olympia foremost), and German scholars published the best editions of classical authors.	The first king of Greece was a German: Otto, prince of Bavaria. His father, Ludwig, was so passionate about Greek antiquity that he transformed his capital, Munich, into an “Athens of the North”. Otto came to Greece with an army of German professors who tried to Europeanise the country – with limited success. German archaeologists excavated some of the most famous Greek sites (Olympia foremost), and German scholars published the best editions of classical authors.
Of course, the second world war changed everything. The Germans invaded Greece – after their allies, the Italians, had failed in their attempts – and remained in the country for three-and-a-half years, during which they committed more atrocities than in any other conquered nation.	Of course, the second world war changed everything. The Germans invaded Greece – after their allies, the Italians, had failed in their attempts – and remained in the country for three-and-a-half years, during which they committed more atrocities than in any other conquered nation.
After the war, relations resumed and soon ameliorated. During the 1960s, many Greeks went to Germany as Gastarbeiter (guest workers) and brought back money and secondhand Mercedes cars. Germans visited Greece as tourists and loved the beaches and the carefree style of living. The woes of the war seemed forgotten, to the extent that by 2005, according to an opinion poll, 78% of Greeks cited Germany as their favourite nation.	After the war, relations resumed and soon ameliorated. During the 1960s, many Greeks went to Germany as Gastarbeiter (guest workers) and brought back money and secondhand Mercedes cars. Germans visited Greece as tourists and loved the beaches and the carefree style of living. The woes of the war seemed forgotten, to the extent that by 2005, according to an opinion poll, 78% of Greeks cited Germany as their favourite nation.
Greeks have always had a love-hate relation with the Germans. On one hand, they admired German discipline and thoroughness (and adored German products). On the other, they could not abide their Protestant work ethic, their seriousness and their austerity. And then came the economic crisis.	Greeks have always had a love-hate relation with the Germans. On one hand, they admired German discipline and thoroughness (and adored German products). On the other, they could not abide their Protestant work ethic, their seriousness and their austerity. And then came the economic crisis.
It would take pages to analyse the many reasons and causes behind it. I would mainly blame our politicians – especially the administration of the Socialist leader Costas Simitis and its decision to join the euro in 2001. Greece was not ready for such a hard currency.	It would take pages to analyse the many reasons and causes behind it. I would mainly blame our politicians – especially the administration of the Socialist leader Costas Simitis and its decision to join the euro in 2001. Greece was not ready for such a hard currency.
Its nonexistent productive mechanism could not profit from it – while the low-cost borrowing that it permitted was a constant temptation. It was (to quote myself) like letting a five-year-old loose in a sweet shop.	Its nonexistent productive mechanism could not profit from it – while the low-cost borrowing that it permitted was a constant temptation. It was (to quote myself) like letting a five-year-old loose in a sweet shop.
So the main culprits were the Greek politicians. But the European authorities must also take some blame. By 2006, when the interior minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos (now head of state), hired hundreds of thousands of public sector employees and the pharaonic expenses for the Olympic Games had emptied the public treasury, it was already clear that Greece would never be able to cope with such a debt burden. But nobody from the international institutions intervened.	So the main culprits were the Greek politicians. But the European authorities must also take some blame. By 2006, when the interior minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos (now head of state), hired hundreds of thousands of public sector employees and the pharaonic expenses for the Olympic Games had emptied the public treasury, it was already clear that Greece would never be able to cope with such a debt burden. But nobody from the international institutions intervened.
The causes of the crisis may be complex – but the Greeks always needed a simple and straightforward answer. They have a long history of attributing their problems to foreign powers and agents. When I was a child, it was the English (“the secret finger of the intelligence service”) who were to blame. Then, for five decades, it was the US and the CIA. In the 1980s and 1990s, Greece was the most anti-American nation in the world after Pakistan.	The causes of the crisis may be complex – but the Greeks always needed a simple and straightforward answer. They have a long history of attributing their problems to foreign powers and agents. When I was a child, it was the English (“the secret finger of the intelligence service”) who were to blame. Then, for five decades, it was the US and the CIA. In the 1980s and 1990s, Greece was the most anti-American nation in the world after Pakistan.
And now the enemy is Germany. But why only Germany? After all, many factors were involved: the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and 18 eurozone states.	And now the enemy is Germany. But why only Germany? After all, many factors were involved: the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and 18 eurozone states.
One explanation is that Germany is the biggest and most powerful nation in Europe. It is very visible and suits all kinds of conspiracy theories. It has an arrogant style and a dark record. The war’s bad memories were unearthed. Popular radio commentators constructed an imaginary world, with Greece once again under German occupation. This time it was the Fourth Reich of the iron lady chancellor. The Greek politicians were Quislings and traitors – and some of these radio journalists actually saw the Wehrmacht patrolling our streets.	One explanation is that Germany is the biggest and most powerful nation in Europe. It is very visible and suits all kinds of conspiracy theories. It has an arrogant style and a dark record. The war’s bad memories were unearthed. Popular radio commentators constructed an imaginary world, with Greece once again under German occupation. This time it was the Fourth Reich of the iron lady chancellor. The Greek politicians were Quislings and traitors – and some of these radio journalists actually saw the Wehrmacht patrolling our streets.
Of course, the Germans are to blame for some things – especially their approach to Greece’s problems, which was almost military. The troika just ordered people around. Trying to reform a country and change the mentality of an entire nation, without taking into consideration its customs and ways of thinking, can be lethal.	Of course, the Germans are to blame for some things – especially their approach to Greece’s problems, which was almost military. The troika just ordered people around. Trying to reform a country and change the mentality of an entire nation, without taking into consideration its customs and ways of thinking, can be lethal.
The problem with northern Europeans is that they regard Greece as a typical European nation. This is not true. Greece is different. It has not experienced all the ideological movements that formed western Europe. There has been no Renaissance, Reformation or Enlightenment. It is a border country between east and west. According to Samuel P Huntington (in his The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order), it belongs to an entirely different civilisation: the Orthodox one, together with Serbia and Russia.	The problem with northern Europeans is that they regard Greece as a typical European nation. This is not true. Greece is different. It has not experienced all the ideological movements that formed western Europe. There has been no Renaissance, Reformation or Enlightenment. It is a border country between east and west. According to Samuel P Huntington (in his The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order), it belongs to an entirely different civilisation: the Orthodox one, together with Serbia and Russia.
Having had a lot of problems with the west (starting with the Fourth Crusade, which instead of liberating Jerusalem sacked Constantinople), Greeks have always felt a deep mistrust of western initiatives. Being insecure because of their problematic identity (east-west/ancient-modern) they tend to reject change and restructuring. Theoretically they like reforms – as long as they do not affect their life.(This is why Greek politicians have been consistently sabotaging all changes, in order not to confront their electoral clients and the almighty unions of the public sector.) So instead of reforms, Greeks got pay cuts and austerity measures that resulted in a 26% unemployment rate – and a 25% loss of national income.	Having had a lot of problems with the west (starting with the Fourth Crusade, which instead of liberating Jerusalem sacked Constantinople), Greeks have always felt a deep mistrust of western initiatives. Being insecure because of their problematic identity (east-west/ancient-modern) they tend to reject change and restructuring. Theoretically they like reforms – as long as they do not affect their life.(This is why Greek politicians have been consistently sabotaging all changes, in order not to confront their electoral clients and the almighty unions of the public sector.) So instead of reforms, Greeks got pay cuts and austerity measures that resulted in a 26% unemployment rate – and a 25% loss of national income.
No one explained to suffering and worried people how and why reforms would help them earn more, live better, feel more secure. Neither the Greek politicians nor western bureaucrats have done anything to sell these programmes to the Greeks. So it is understandable that they would feel oppressed and reacted negatively.	No one explained to suffering and worried people how and why reforms would help them earn more, live better, feel more secure. Neither the Greek politicians nor western bureaucrats have done anything to sell these programmes to the Greeks. So it is understandable that they would feel oppressed and reacted negatively.
The left and Alexis Tsipras profited from this reaction and promised to liberate people from oppression. That gained them victory. But now they feel trapped because, as they very well know, reforms are necessary. In many ways Greece (especially the public sector) still belongs to the 19th or early 20th century. But how do you go back on your (highly charged) words? As a policy, it is better to blame the Germans. For everything.	The left and Alexis Tsipras profited from this reaction and promised to liberate people from oppression. That gained them victory. But now they feel trapped because, as they very well know, reforms are necessary. In many ways Greece (especially the public sector) still belongs to the 19th or early 20th century. But how do you go back on your (highly charged) words? As a policy, it is better to blame the Germans. For everything.
It’s a very old propaganda trick: you fabricate an enemy, a culprit, a scapegoat, and throw all responsibility on them. Given the historical context and the behaviour of Wolfgang Schäuble, who was wagging his admonishing index finger at Greeks for four years – this was an easy job.	It’s a very old propaganda trick: you fabricate an enemy, a culprit, a scapegoat, and throw all responsibility on them. Given the historical context and the behaviour of Wolfgang Schäuble, who was wagging his admonishing index finger at Greeks for four years – this was an easy job.
So it came to be that our ex-beloved nation became our arch-enemy.	So it came to be that our ex-beloved nation became our arch-enemy.
Nikos Dimou is author of 65 books, including the international bestseller On the Unhappiness of Being Greek	Nikos Dimou is author of 65 books, including the international bestseller On the Unhappiness of Being Greek
TWO NATIONS ENTANGLED: A SHORT HISTORY	TWO NATIONS ENTANGLED: A SHORT HISTORY
1832 Otto of Wittelsbach becomes first king of the new state of Greece. The young Bavarian arrives with an entourage of thousands of German-speaking advisers. Until 1835, when the teenaged king turns of age, the country is governed by a regency council of three Bavarians. The “Bavarocracy” is soon resented, not least for its policy of enforcing heavy taxes on Greeks.	1832 Otto of Wittelsbach becomes first king of the new state of Greece. The young Bavarian arrives with an entourage of thousands of German-speaking advisers. Until 1835, when the teenaged king turns of age, the country is governed by a regency council of three Bavarians. The “Bavarocracy” is soon resented, not least for its policy of enforcing heavy taxes on Greeks.
1843 King forced to grant a constitution. The Bavarian royal had refused to convert from Catholicism to Orthodoxy.	1843 King forced to grant a constitution. The Bavarian royal had refused to convert from Catholicism to Orthodoxy.
1862 Assassination attempt against the queen followed by coup and Otto’s overthrow.	1862 Assassination attempt against the queen followed by coup and Otto’s overthrow.
1940 December: Hitler, after Greek forces defeat Mussolini’s invasion, sends German troops across the Bulgarian border to invade Greece. Desperate to avoid hostilities, Greek politicians and generals plead with Germans not to attack.	1940 December: Hitler, after Greek forces defeat Mussolini’s invasion, sends German troops across the Bulgarian border to invade Greece. Desperate to avoid hostilities, Greek politicians and generals plead with Germans not to attack.
1941 April: German Wehrmacht invades Greece. Greek army overwhelmed, with German troops reaching the strategic town of Ioannina on 20 April, Hitler’s birthday. Athens capitulates the next day.	1941 April: German Wehrmacht invades Greece. Greek army overwhelmed, with German troops reaching the strategic town of Ioannina on 20 April, Hitler’s birthday. Athens capitulates the next day.
1941-44 Brutal occupation by Germany ensues; 300,000 Greeks die of hungerin one of Europe’s worst famines to hit Europe ever; 130,000 are killed in reprisals (150 Greeks for every German soldier); hyper-inflation, five times worse than that seen during the Weimar period in 1920s, flourishes. more than 1.2 million Greeks made homeless; the Jewish community, one of the most ancient in Europe, is exterminated almost in its entirety. National gold stock, in the form of a forced loan, is snatched from the vaults of the central Bank of Greece to finance Hitler’s campaign in North Africa.	1941-44 Brutal occupation by Germany ensues; 300,000 Greeks die of hungerin one of Europe’s worst famines to hit Europe ever; 130,000 are killed in reprisals (150 Greeks for every German soldier); hyper-inflation, five times worse than that seen during the Weimar period in 1920s, flourishes. more than 1.2 million Greeks made homeless; the Jewish community, one of the most ancient in Europe, is exterminated almost in its entirety. National gold stock, in the form of a forced loan, is snatched from the vaults of the central Bank of Greece to finance Hitler’s campaign in North Africa.
1944 Waffen-SS march into village of Distomo, near Delphi, on 10 June and kill 218 men, women and children in reprisal for guerrilla attack in which seven German soldiers die. Bodies are left dangling from trees in one of the most heinous atrocities of the second world war.	1944 Waffen-SS march into village of Distomo, near Delphi, on 10 June and kill 218 men, women and children in reprisal for guerrilla attack in which seven German soldiers die. Bodies are left dangling from trees in one of the most heinous atrocities of the second world war.
1950 onwards 300,000 Greeks flock to Germany in search of work after country is ravaged by the 1946-49 civil war.	1950 onwards 300,000 Greeks flock to Germany in search of work after country is ravaged by the 1946-49 civil war.
1953 At the Conference of London, creditor countries agree to forgive West Germany’s massive debt. laying the ground for the country’s economic miracle.Greece is among the signatories.	1953 At the Conference of London, creditor countries agree to forgive West Germany’s massive debt. laying the ground for the country’s economic miracle.Greece is among the signatories.
1960 In a bilateral out-of-court, state-to-state agreement, Germany gives Greece 115m deutschmarks (€57.5m) in damages for Nazi crimes. With the gesture, Germany says the outstanding issue of war reparations is closed. Greece subsequently virulently disagrees. Victims argue that the Treaty of Settlement had allowed them to file individual claims at a later date.	1960 In a bilateral out-of-court, state-to-state agreement, Germany gives Greece 115m deutschmarks (€57.5m) in damages for Nazi crimes. With the gesture, Germany says the outstanding issue of war reparations is closed. Greece subsequently virulently disagrees. Victims argue that the Treaty of Settlement had allowed them to file individual claims at a later date.
1990 The issue of war reparations is considered to have expired when the two Germanys unite.	1990 The issue of war reparations is considered to have expired when the two Germanys unite.
1997 Survivors and relatives of victims of Distomo massacre file for compensation before a Greek district court which rules in their favour. Athens’ supreme court orders seizure of German assets in Greece (an order no justice minister has enforcedto date).	1997 Survivors and relatives of victims of Distomo massacre file for compensation before a Greek district court which rules in their favour. Athens’ supreme court orders seizure of German assets in Greece (an order no justice minister has enforcedto date).
2011 Socialist PM George Papandreou, battling a debt crisis, says he will formally support demands for war reparations in a case that no Greek government had previously dared to touch. “This is not anti-German. This is about history,” he says.	2011 Socialist PM George Papandreou, battling a debt crisis, says he will formally support demands for war reparations in a case that no Greek government had previously dared to touch. “This is not anti-German. This is about history,” he says.
2012: International Court of Justice at The Hague rules in favour of Germany saying governments have immunity from foreign court judgments in cases brought by individuals.	2012: International Court of Justice at The Hague rules in favour of Germany saying governments have immunity from foreign court judgments in cases brought by individuals.
2015 Tensions between Greece and Germany, provider of the bulk of Athens’ international bailout, peak following election of the anti-austerity Syriza party. Prime minister Alexis Tsipras accuses Berlin of employing “tricks” to evade war reparations with his government openly raising the prospect of seizing German assets, including diplomatic buildings and the Goethe Institute. Athens says the forced loan, alone, with accrued interest would amount to a large part of the €240bn	2015 Tensions between Greece and Germany, provider of the bulk of Athens’ international bailout, peak following election of the anti-austerity Syriza party. Prime minister Alexis Tsipras accuses Berlin of employing “tricks” to evade war reparations with his government openly raising the prospect of seizing German assets, including diplomatic buildings and the Goethe Institute. Athens says the forced loan, alone, with accrued interest would amount to a large part of the €240bn
it has received in emergency funds from the EU and IMF. The German chancellor Angela Merkel invites Tsipras to Berlin on 23 March in effort to ease relations.	it has received in emergency funds from the EU and IMF. The German chancellor Angela Merkel invites Tsipras to Berlin on 23 March in effort to ease relations.