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includes being proud of working with other nations, particularly within the framework of the EU; Germans pride themselves on being good Europeans'. This was reinforced by the actions of the Federal Republic which had a policy of Western integration and energetic encouragement of European union.

In an effort to differentiate modern Germany and Nazi Germany, Germans strongly value individualism and political participation. German parents and the German education system are increasingly focused on development of self-motivation, independent thought and open mindedness. The willingness to participate in the political process has increased so much that large protests and even forms of civil disobedience are now very common. This has changed the relationship which young germans have with the State. It is no longer seen as a community to which they are bound by membership, but instead an organisation offering them its services. The result is a mainstream liberal German society. In Germany it is the consensus that the Government serves the people, not the other way around.

The formation of the Germans' relationship with their state dates back further than Nazism, to the very formation of Germany itself. In 1871, under the leadership of Otto von Bismark, the German empire was formed. In order to deflate the growth of democracy and socialism, and to placate alienated industrial workers, Bismark created a strong social insurance system. This created a German social conscience so ingrained that it survived Nazism and still exists today.

The original 1871 policy was politically motivated, designed to strengthen the established power structure. Ironically the system now exists for completely opposite reasons. Germany now places the welfare of the individual ahead of that of the state (Rimlinger 1968). After the Second World War Germany experienced its Wirtschaftswunder (Economic-Miracle) which involved incredible economic growth and rebuilding. Credit for the Wirtschaftswunder was given to its chief architect, Minister of Economics, Ludwig Erhard.

Erhard put in place massive reforms including reissuing currency and deregulation, however, he placed equal emphasis on economic social responsibility. The success of his policy mix in reviving the German economy reawakened Germans' enthusiasm for economic welfare. The German Soziale Marktwirtschaft (Social-Market Economy) was born. Erhard was elected to the chancellorship in 1963 and successive governments continued to use growth

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