Greek crisis shows EU culture clash
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It’s known as the cradle of Western civilization, but these days cash-starved Greece is viewed as more of a miscreant.
This nation where ancient infuses the modern, where buses and motorcycles whiz past stone remnants from classical times, has become a symbol of fundamental cracks in European unity.
At the opposite pole lies Europe’s economic engine, Germany, whose people vehemently oppose bailing out the Greeks.
The turmoil over Greek debt has hammered global stock markets, hinting at another round in the worldwide financial crisis just as it seemed to be fading. The contagion also has hit troubled Portugal and Spain, whose debt also was downgraded last week, highlighting a North-South divide in Europe that challenges the viability of the European Union and its common currency.
Even if Greece avoids the worst — no sure thing, with some predicting it will be forced to restructure debt even after a multibillion dollar infusion of European and IMF funding next month — the cultural rift will stay. Germany and France are European Union linchpins; Greece is generally viewed as problematic, relying on its partners’ largesse and loose with statistics.
“They apparently treated their capital like waste,” said Ilona Reichelt, as the German retiree stood last week near the Brandenburg gate, the Berlin landmark. “It’s not like they’ve suffered an earthquake or a natural disaster. It’s a man-made disaster.”
source sltrib.com
Feb 7, 2012 - 23:23
