A n the toilet wall in my school, a wise person had written the sentence with a felt-tip pen: “One clever word and you’re a communist.” In the West Berlin of my childhood, people were still afraid of the communists in the East. And criticism or differing thoughts were often greeted with “Go over there!” answered.
Communists are now extinct as a mass movement that once wanted to save the world. There are still a few remaining items. But the custom of insulting someone for making rational statements and throwing them out of court is still well preserved in Germany’s most powerful mass movement.
The Transport president of the General German Automobile Club ADAC, Gerhard Hillebrand, resigned this week after a wave of anger and resignations from members. His crime: He had spoken a few simple truths: Higher fuel prices would encourage people to switch to climate-friendly alternatives. The CO2-Price is a “correct means of achieving climate protection goals”; these goals should not be relaxed. But the switch requires social cushioning, cheap electric cars and charging infrastructure. In short: Hillebrand’s statements were about as spectacular as “The sun rises in the east”.
Which brings us back to communists and scapegoats. Because Hillebrand gave up his voluntary work because it was an orchestrated wave of anger and indignation at the Bildnewspaper and other anti-social media, there were 60,000 resignations from the ADAC. Sounds huge. But that’s only 0.3 percent of the 22.7 million members. At the same time, there were 100,000 entries in January, which is pretty normal for the largest car club in Europe. The exits were noticeable but not threatening. So it’s not like 60,000 people would cancel their taz subscription.
Democracy thrives on the majority principle
“This country is in the process of forgetting how to listen,” she complained South German newspaper. I see it differently: This country has forgotten how to have an ass in its pants when a mini-minority complains loudly and aggressively. The ADAC could also have said: Lick our tailpipes! 99.7 percent of our members don’t complain. We simply leave 60,000 angry people on the hard shoulder. The next time you get a flat tire you’ll be a member again anyway.
Everywhere we cower in front of loud minorities: if a few Entrepreneurs are demanding that citizens’ benefits and health insurance be reduced for the population. When the AfD drives politics forward with 20 percent of the vote. If Farmers are allowed to block roads at their whimwhich is considered terrorism by climate activists. When Trump dances on the world’s nose.
Democracy means that the majority decides. And not himself “Tyranny of the Minority” bends, like the title of one of the best political books of recent years is. In case of doubt, controversial questions can be pushed through with 50.01 percent approval. And even more so at 99.7 percent. But that requires courage: to insist on the right to contradict the loud bleating, to endure a shitstorm and to enforce the will of the majority.
That’s why the ADAC breakdown assistants should have stood by Gerhard Hillebrand. And so to everyone who hasn’t had a total breakdown yet.