Division or Unity? Germany's Unique Position.

Whilst this past week has seen many social divisions arise within our own country, their importance and depth is relatively dwarfed by those of some of our European counterparts on the mainland. Rioting and violence nationwide has triggered a plethora of responses in an attempt to comprehend any reasons which could support such actions. Although there are many lessons to be learnt of the divisions plaguing English society, the fragile illusion of unity that undermines other nations is all too striking. 

Today, Germany, a country of total unity in the modern world for only some brief 20 years, commemorates – or rather commiserates – the construction of the Berlin Wall half a century ago; a move marking one of the most consistently hostile environments of propaganda and restriction upheld in a supposedly sophisticated and developed 21^st century world.

Between 1961 and 1989, the Berlin Wall stood to separate the West from the East of Europe: to separate ideologies; to separate economies; to separate neighbours and countrymen amidst a political climate of rivalry.

Capitalism and Communism countered each other throughout the period that became known as the Cold War, but the harsher realities of this were for those behind what has become referred to as the ‘Iron Curtain’.

East Germany in particular suffered more than a number of other countries in the region due to the sudden and definite manner in which the land was ripped apart without thought for consequence of lifestyle, recovery from the war or global wellbeing. The wall became an icon of what was to many an inexplicable act of social warfare. 

However, despite the passing of more than two decades since the fall of the wall, Europe is still haunted by its spectre. Whilst the reintegration and orientation of East and West has seemingly gone forward smoothly, it is much more a small scale reflection of the somewhat slower integration of Eastern and Western domains in a globalised world.

For many, the wall was a restriction similar to that suffered by livestock. A violation of freedom not seen amongst humans for centuries.

Reaching into the twenty first century then, such primitive restriction now holds the key to psychological and economical divisions. Questions as to abandonment, sacrifice and how far a country cans be expected to support its citizens: particularly following one of the most turbulent periods in continental history. The scale of the issue effects life in many different ways.

First of all, there are those for whom life behind the curtain ensured that life without it is ironically too difficult. There a large minorities in the East that do not associate with those Germans from the West of their own country. “I cannot name a single West German with whom I socialise now - really, I can't” admitted Brigitta Heinrich to a Russian news agency. For many, the repeated ideological mentality that was enforced in daily life means that the ideas of generations raised either side of the wall are simply not compatible and so relations are strained.

Of course, there are those who suffered indirectly. If one was believed to be related to an escapee, or attempted escapee, then one may be subject to all types of humiliation: eviction, unemployment, rejection from social groups etc. Life had to be dedicated to one idea in the East.

For those who died in their attempts at a life of freedom, a glorified and much fantasied ideal of the West was the prime reason for their final journey. Debates rage as to the total numbers of deaths caused by gunmen who kept constant sentry over this, the most ridiculous of constructions. At least 136 are known to have been killed but victims' groups say the true number is more than 700.The first victim was thought to be Guenter Litfin on 24 August 1961 and the last Chris Gueffroy on 6 February 1989.

To this day, there are continued economic divisions, lifestyle divisions and belief divisions. A continent divided. A country in two.

At ceremonies across the country today, many paid their respects to what has become a defining moment in the recent history of the reforging of a nation. Almost too prophetically, leader claims that Germany was under attack from surrounding countries in Europe turned to be truth, as its assets were split and its citizens left with a grand sense of moral shame.

Mayor Wowereit said the capital was remembering the "saddest day in its recent history". At a ceremony at a former crossing-point, President Wulff said the wall had been "an expression of fear" of those who created it.

Whether an image of fear or power, the wall is a testament to the psychological fancies of leaders worldwide.