The German Unification and its Challenge: judicial, economic, and cultural aspects

The rapid process of the German Unification in 1990 was achieved by the democratic decision of the East German population. However, such a decision by majority provides only a provisional legitimacy. A comprehensive legitimacy can only be achieved through a settlement, by a democratic process, of various social problems raised by the unification itself. The crucial issues in post-unification Germany can be broadly grouped into three categories-judicial, econimic, and cultural. The German Unification has brought about a need for a radical tramsformation of the judicial system in former East Germany as a part of the project to build a new constitutional state. This process cannot but include a thorough review and replacement of the former judicial officers who will need reeducation. Second, the economic situation in former East Germany is determined by two paradoxical factors: an exodus of labor force and human capital into former West Germany and a maintenance, within the former East Germany areas, of a low wage structure for survival in international competition. The so-called "Creative Destruction" proposed by the people in the former East Germany in response the current situation, could be effective, it would seem, only in a limited number of regions and only as a part of an extended process. Finally, in the former East Germany, culture, arts, science, and education were dominated by the communist party (SED) in a strict centralized system. What is needed, especially in formulating a new cultural policy, is a healthy atmosphere of debate and criticism on the basis of principles of pluralism and autonomy. However, the reorgination of the educational systems and academic institutions in formerly East Germany requires an input of massive financial support. The historically created heterogeneity-in various aspects of the society-between the former West and East Germany is not something that can be easily, or in short time, resolved. The resolution of just these problems and issues, however, are crucial factors in the completion of the unification process