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by latency-guy2 723 days ago
I don't get that sense at all from Germans, since we're citing some stereotypes, my view on it was that Germans "love" the bureaucracy, and they continue to accumulate it.

The USA is anti-government and authority, fundamentally from the beginning all the way through modern times. Freedom is colloquially synonymous with America and that's in contrast with government, "Live free or die" is the motto of millions of Americans and in various capacities, sometimes alliterated to on state flags.
2 comments
arendtio 722 days ago
Germans don't love bureaucracy; in fact, we hate it. But everything must be very correct and thought through, which leads to complicated laws.

On top of that, we have some misplaced idea that everybody must have a lot of local laws. We call it federalism, and it has some benefits, but I think we use it for far too many things.

Both things together make it very hard to reduce bureaucracy or offer digital services. It is very embarrassing.

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marcus_holmes 723 days ago
> Freedom is colloquially synonymous with America

Only in the USA, for US citizens. Outside the USA; not so much.

Germans do love their bureaucracy, but I get the feeling that's seen as a brake on the politicians; it's hard to make the bureaucracy change, so radical politicians can't do too much damage.

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mnw21cam 722 days ago
> Only in the USA, for US citizens. Outside the USA; not so much.

Yeah. When I think of the US and freedom, the first thing that comes to mind is "The country where you're not even allowed to cross the road."

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