CDU is center right by normal terms, so no, Merz as an individual is likely not more progressive than Biden or Harris. But because the existing systems that Biden, Harris, and Merz occupy are radically different, the ultimate effect of their politics isn’t decided exclusively by some meter of how progressive they are. Anti-immigration vis-a-vis Germany is very different to anti-immigration vis-a-vis the US, for example. (edit: bad example)
What I mean to say is that a conservative led government in Europe, such as Germany under Merz, will still be much, much more progressive than a progressive led government in the US (i.e. hypothetically Harris with dems controlling the house and senate). This is because progressive issues like gun control and healthcare are unrealistic dreams even for Dems in the US, while they are established policy in Germany, that even Merz will not change.
So while you are right that Harris and Biden are, as individuals, more progressive than Merz, I think that in the grand scheme of things this does not show itself in the governments that they would run. This is also often what is meant with “Europe’s Right is America’s Left.”
Thanks, you said what I wanted to say but better. Let’s not forget that CDU have been in power for the majority of the time for decades, and Germany is far left of the USA despite Democrats being in power for roughly half that same time. So the proof is in the pudding, so to speak
I disagree with that. Specifically for immigration, a Democrats-led USA is much more immigration-friendly (at least in places where MAGAs are not the majority) than Germany (and probably many if not most other EU-countries) ever was, both in terms of policy and in terms of how welcoming the population is.
I’ve lived in both Germany and the USA (very blue state) and strongly disagree with this. It’s incredibly easy and cheap to immigrate to Germany and you get the same rights as any European, in the USA you have to jump through a million hoops and constantly fight for the right to stay, you can get ejected so easily
German people are just generally not very open to talking to strangers in general, so making friends with them takes a while. But there are so many expats here that you can easily make friends with instead so it’s not bad really
CDU is center right by normal terms, so no, Merz as an individual is likely not more progressive than Biden or Harris. But because the existing systems that Biden, Harris, and Merz occupy are radically different, the ultimate effect of their politics isn’t decided exclusively by some meter of how progressive they are.
Anti-immigration vis-a-vis Germany is very different to anti-immigration vis-a-vis the US, for example.(edit: bad example)What I mean to say is that a conservative led government in Europe, such as Germany under Merz, will still be much, much more progressive than a progressive led government in the US (i.e. hypothetically Harris with dems controlling the house and senate). This is because progressive issues like gun control and healthcare are unrealistic dreams even for Dems in the US, while they are established policy in Germany, that even Merz will not change.
So while you are right that Harris and Biden are, as individuals, more progressive than Merz, I think that in the grand scheme of things this does not show itself in the governments that they would run. This is also often what is meant with “Europe’s Right is America’s Left.”
Edit: Merz, not März; thanks for the correction.
Thanks, you said what I wanted to say but better. Let’s not forget that CDU have been in power for the majority of the time for decades, and Germany is far left of the USA despite Democrats being in power for roughly half that same time. So the proof is in the pudding, so to speak
FYI, it’s Merz, not März.
I disagree with that. Specifically for immigration, a Democrats-led USA is much more immigration-friendly (at least in places where MAGAs are not the majority) than Germany (and probably many if not most other EU-countries) ever was, both in terms of policy and in terms of how welcoming the population is.
I’ve lived in both Germany and the USA (very blue state) and strongly disagree with this. It’s incredibly easy and cheap to immigrate to Germany and you get the same rights as any European, in the USA you have to jump through a million hoops and constantly fight for the right to stay, you can get ejected so easily
Ah you may be right vis-a-vis immigration. Germany is not the most inviting place…
And I knew I shouldn’t have trusted my autocorrect on März! Goddamn you Google keyboard shakes fist at sky
German people are just generally not very open to talking to strangers in general, so making friends with them takes a while. But there are so many expats here that you can easily make friends with instead so it’s not bad really