Divided society: We are better than we think

O n a warm Monday evening, somewhere in the middle of nowhere outside Crailsheim, I had this feeling at some point: They won't let you down. You'll never bike alone! What had happened? 630 kilometers beyond Berlin, my bike suffered its first puncture and I was also emotionally exhausted. Of course it was the rear wheel under all the baggage and I didn't have a spare tube with me. A big beginner's mistake. I stood in the landscape sighing and cursing.

But then: A group of mountain bikers stop and help pump it. Afterwards, in the first house in the nearby village, a pensioner in his underwear offers me his garage, water and tools. Next, a man with an e-bike stops, gets me a new tube (that doesn't fit) and then his van to chauffeur me to Crailsheim. In the meantime, a racing cyclist whizzing past pulled the brakes and simply handed me his spare tube. I feel richly gifted. And think: people are better, more supportive and more helpful than we think.

At least that is my experience after six weeks and 2,000 kilometers of cycling through Germany, Switzerland and France. Spontaneous help everywhere: route tips if there are no signs, water to combat the heat, a spontaneous invitation to tea in the living room when a cloudburst falls outside. Free shower at the campsite, a quick look after your fully packed bike while shopping, free and spontaneous help in workshops even just before the end of the day. All just anecdotes, no in-depth sociological drilling, but my private summer fairy tale: help instead of agitation.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

Is Germany perhaps much less divided than we are led to believe? According to surveys, we are initially divided about how divided we are now. Apparently there are some hot topics where emotions run high. But then again there was great agreement on other questions. Many complain that different groups can no longer talk to each other - others love to have controversial discussions. The gap is apparently greatest when it comes to issues of migration, climate protection and gender language. But in other areas people often come together.

After the elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there is a threat of an AfD government for the first time. The taz reports what is at stake - and who is now defending democracy. All texts about the series can be found here.

It's clear: As a cyclist, when I ask for directions, I don't immediately start a debate about heat pumps or deportations from the fence on which I have just leaned my heavy luggage. But perhaps you can take a few ideas for dealing with each other with you from all the many encounters.

For example: Anyone who expects helpfulness must make it clear that they need help. A truism. But it's hard to admit that you've lost your way, in every sense. It's difficult if you think you have to stand your ground everywhere or be a politician who has an answer to everything. Anyone who thinks, “The strong are most powerful alone” will become very lonely.

Anyone who expects help must trust others that they want to and can help. Also logical, not easy either. To do this, you first have to take the person helping you seriously. My comment that my tire lost its air “somewhere in the middle of nowhere” is the typical arrogance of the capital city resident. So: It was just behind Wettringen near the A6/A7 motorway junction.

The separation of the country is also a division of town and country. It helps to remember that people at home know their way around best, “ask the locals” is the motto. Some locals laughed at the wrong paths the smartphone navigation system took us.

Of course we should thank you for help. But not like it's something incredibly unique. Someone did the right thing and a little more within their means, thank you very much. Praise makes the person helping someone proud and increases the likelihood that they will do it again. But anyone who does this exuberantly or even offers payment is sending the wrong signal: as if helping was the big exception. As if you have to pay for it too.

Anyone expecting help should also ask themselves how fearful he or she is about the world: Do I really have to lock my bike in the swimming pool in the provinces like I do at night in Berlin-Neukölln? Can you leave your cell phone on the handlebars for a moment when you buy an ice cream? Are we really surrounded by crooks all the time? My experience tells me otherwise.

All of this is important not only because we feel better when we help and let ourselves be helped. It is also eminently political. Because without trust nothing works in a democratic state based on the division of labor. Fortunately, in this country we must and can fundamentally trust that elections are not falsified, that officials issue ID cards without corruption, that courts make fair decisions and that contracts are adhered to - exceptions confirm the rule. But without mutual trust there is neither freedom nor prosperity. Because our democratic system, like our economic system, is based on the fact that people can first and foremost rely on each other.

That is exactly the reason why populists like the AfD and their backers in Moscow and Washington always tell the same lie that no one can be trusted anymore - except, of course, for those who want to blow up this system. In order to resist this, we have to strengthen groups that advance cooperation and promote fairness and help: sports and cultural clubs, neighborhood initiatives, daycare centers, schools, old people's clubs, trade unions, church communities. There we can renew the trust that we need when things become really contentious. This is the only way we can find a basis for solving important problems - and confidence that we can go or follow this path. That takes time and energy. But sometimes just ten euros for a bicycle tube given away.