Corona as a leveler, that's over, finds the head of the rheingold institute Stephan Grünewald in an interview with the Handelsblatt. Now, federal states, industries and citizens are rivaling again.
The interview with Stephan Grünewald appeared in Handelsblatt on April 23, 2020.
Stephan Grünewald is hard to reach these days. The psychologist and head of the Rheingold Research institute sits on the NRW state government's expert council on the corona crisis. The situation changes daily. In the council, the bestselling author ("How does Germany tick?") says he has pointed out the growing danger of a mental collapse of everyday life and renewed social polarization.
Mr. Grünewald, you have often criticized Germany for not having a master plan and a vision. Now we inevitably have to develop a concept against Corona and for a new economic miracle - an unexpected opportunity?
That is a negative vision. We want to ward off a great danger together. But this attitude will crumble.
There are currently two politicians with different plans: Armin Laschet, on whose expert council you sit, and Markus Söder.
In our studies on Corona, we are actually experiencing a dichotomy. Some want a "Söder plus" variant, a "leader" - someone who is even more assertive and governs even more clearly. Who offers patent remedies. Others say the lockdown borders on deprivation of freedom. What is needed is a more open, more lax approach. Everyone should be responsible for their own actions - just like in Sweden. Laschet is the type of moderating, deliberative politician who involves citizens and takes all risks into account.
And what about Angela Merkel? She was already considered "caring" and "reassuring" in your polls.
It has this trust bonus and is once again acting as a national guardian angel, just as it did in the refugee crisis. However, oppositions will soon emerge again. Most likely, the AfD will occupy the "Söder-plus" position, with the virus as the new bogeyman. The FDP will advocate more personal responsibility and loosening. Both will get people behind them.
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The interview was conducted by Hans-Jürgen Jakobs.
Cologne-based psychologist Stephan Grünewald is the founder of the market and media research institute rheingold. Grünewald became a bestselling author with his books "Deutschland auf der Couch" (2006) and "Die erschöpfte Gesellschaft" (2013) as well as "Wie tickt Deutschland" (2019).
Phone: +49 221-466 828 0
E-mail: gruenewald@rheingold-online.de
